C++ binary compatibility between Visual Studio versions

The Microsoft C++ (MSVC) Build Tools in Visual Studio 2013 and earlier don't guarantee binary compatibility across major versions. You can't link object files, static libraries, dynamic libraries, and executables built by different versions of these build tools. The ABIs, object formats, and runtime libraries are incompatible.

We've changed this behavior in Visual Studio 2015 and later versions. The runtime libraries and apps compiled by any of these versions of the compiler are binary-compatible. It's reflected in the MSVC Build Tools major number, which starts with 14 for all versions since Visual Studio 2015. (The build tools version is v140 for Visual Studio 2015, v141 for 2017, v142 for 2019, and v143 for 2022). Say you have third-party libraries built by Visual Studio 2015. You can still use them in an application built by Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022, or 2026. There's no need to recompile with a matching version. The latest version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package (the Redistributable) works for all of them.

Restrictions on binary compatibility

There are three important restrictions on binary compatibility between the v140, v141, v142, v143, and v145 build tools and minor numbered version updates:

• Binaries created with different versions of the v140, v141, v142, v143, and v145 build tools can be combined. The key rule is that the linker should only work with inputs built by build tools that are the same version (or earlier) as itself. This applies to apps, import libraries, static libraries, and other files as described in LINK input files. In some cases, an import library for an implicitly linked DLL built by a later version of the build tools can be linked using an earlier version of the build tools--especially if the import library strictly uses extern "C" for the imports/exports. Here are some examples of what this all means:
  • An app compiled with the 2017 build tools (v141, versions 15.0 to 15.9) can be linked to a static library compiled with Visual Studio 2022 version 17.8 (v143), but the linking must be done using a version 17.8 or later build tools.
  • Apps and libraries built using VS 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2026 can be linked together, but the linking must be done using a version of the build tools that is as recent as, or more recent than, the most recent build tools used to build any of the binaries you pass to the linker. For example, given three binaries built with build tools from VS 2015 version 14.3, VS 2017 version 15.9, and VS 2019 version 16.11, you can link them using any build tools version that is 16.11 or later.
  • If a DLL is built with newer build tools, the import library can sometimes be used with older build tools if all of the exports follow the C language calling convention (extern "C"). However, the only officially supported case is consuming a newer windows SDK with older build tools.
• The Redistributable your app uses has a similar binary-compatibility restriction. When you mix binaries built by different supported versions of the build tools, the Redistributable version must be at least as new as the latest build tools used by any app component.
• Static libraries or object files compiled using the /GL (Whole program optimization) compiler switch or linked using /LTCG (Link-time code generation) aren't binary-compatible across versions, including minor version updates. All object files and libraries compiled using /GL and /LTCG must use exactly the same build tools for the compile and the final link. For example, code built by using /GL in the Visual Studio 2019 version 16.7 build tools can't be linked to code built by using /GL in the Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 build tools. The compiler emits Fatal error C1047.

Upgrade the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable from Visual Studio 2015 and later

We've kept the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable major version number the same for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2026. That means only one instance of the Redistributable can be installed at a time. A newer version overwrites any older version that's already installed. For example, one app may install the Redistributable from Visual Studio 2015. Then, another app installs the Redistributable from Visual Studio 2026. The 2026 version overwrites the older version, but because they're binary-compatible, the earlier app still works fine. We make sure the latest version of the Redistributable has all the newest features, security updates, and bug fixes. That's why we always recommend you upgrade to the latest available version.

Similarly, you can't install an older Redistributable when a newer version is already installed. The installer reports an error if you try. For example, you'll see an error like this if you install the 2022 Redistributable on a machine that already has the 2026 version:

0x80070666 - Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel.

This error is by design. We recommend you keep the newest version installed. Make sure your installer can recover from this error silently.

See also

Visual C++ change history
The latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads
How to audit Visual C++ Runtime version usage
Lifecycle FAQ - Visual C++ Redistributable and runtime libraries