How to recompile engine for newer version

Hello,

I’m currently using UE4 v4.6.1 but would like to update it to use v4.7.6 or above. When I right-click the .uproject file to switch Unreal version and reopen the file it doesn’t work because the plugins were compiled in a different version (4.6.1). How do I recompile the entire project including the plugins (VaRest) to use the latest version of UE4?

I found the answer; I had to generate the Visual Studio project files then open in Visual Studio and recompile the project. However, in the Unreal Editor I had to go to File >> Add Code to Project and add an empty file before it would allow me to generate the Visual Studio project files.