Microsoft for C++ developers
Tools for every C++ developer on the planet.
Tools
Our C++ tools
Tools to make every C++ developer's lives better.
Visual Studio
Develop on Windows, target any platform with an AI-powered IDE that boosts productivity. Build modern C and C++ apps using tools of your choice.
Visual Studio Code
The lightweight, powerful and extensible editor, built on open source, available on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
vcpkg
Open-source C and C++ dependency manager for all platforms, buildsystems, and workflows.
Microsoft C++ Compiler
Use the MSVC toolchain for developing your C and C++ code.
GitHub Copilot
The AI coding assistant elevating developer workflows.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
Access the power of Windows and Linux at the same time on a Windows machine.
Azure SDK
Manage and interact with Azure cloud services from C++.
Visual Studio Tools for Unreal Engine
Develop games for Unreal Engine from Visual Studio.
Pure Virtual C++
Our free, virtual, one-day conference for the whole C++ community.
Pure Virtual C++ 2025
Pure Virtual C++ 2024
Pure Virtual C++ 2023
Pure Virtual C++ 2022
Pure Virtual C++ 2021
Pure Virtual C++ 2020
Stories
Customer stories
Learn how teams around the world are using our tools to augment their workflows.
Siemens Healthineers manages C++ libraries with vcpkg in an offline build environment
Askia, an Ipsos company, achieved faster, reproducible builds with vcpkg
Genetec uses Visual Studio, CMake, vcpkg, and Docker for remote Linux C++ development
Bosch widely adopts Visual Studio 2022 after experiencing performance improvements for C++ Linux cross-compilation
Azure Networking Team reaches peak productivity with Visual Studio's new remote Linux capabilities and improvements
Learn
C++ on Microsoft Learn
Documentation to help you make the most of our tools.
C++ Language Documentation
Learn to use C++ and the C++ standard library.
Get Started with C++ in Visual Studio
Get up and running with C++ in minutes.
MSVC Compiler and Build Tools Reference
Learn how to use the MSVC C++ compiler.
MSVC Conformance
Find out the latest in our conformance improvements.
C Runtime Library Reference
Learn how to use the C runtime library.
C Language Documentation
Learn to use the C programming language.
C++ Samples
Samples for a host of technologies, including ATL, MFC, and COM.
Repositories
On GitHub
Some of our most popular open-source C++ libraries and tools.
Microsoft C++ Standard Library (STL)
Our open-source implementation of the C++ standard library.
Guideline Support Library (GSL)
Functions and types that are suggested for use by the C++ Core Guidelines.
Visual Studio Code C++ Extension
Adds language support for C/C++ to Visual Studio Code, including editing (IntelliSense) and debugging features.
Visual Studio Code CMake Extension
Provides the native developer a full-featured, convenient, and powerful workflow for CMake-based projects in Visual Studio Code.
C++/WinRT
Target the modern Windows API with modern C++.
DirectXShaderCompiler
HLSL to DXIL compiler based on LLVM and Clang.
Proxy
Next-generation polymorphism in C++.
Recent blog posts
Marian Luparu
• November 24, 2025
New release cadence and support lifecycle for Microsoft C++ Build Tools
Starting with Visual Studio 2026, we are introducing a new support lifecycle for the Microsoft C++ (MSVC) Build Tools. We are also updating the MSVC release cadence. As Visual Studio moves to a Modern Lifecycle with monthly feature updates and an annual new version, decoupling the compiler from the IDE offers you the best of […] The post New release cadence and support lifecycle for Microsoft C++ Build Tools appeared first on C++ Team Blog.