How to setup UE4 without vs-studio2017 and only with the MSBuild tools

Development Programming & Scripting C++
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Hi

I have the latest UE4 installed via the launcher. I would like to know how to setup the C++ compiler tools (MSBuild-tools) without having to install VS Studio 2017.

I Installed only the core features regarding C++ but when I try to create a c++ project it still complains about not finding a compiler. Even tho the compiler works for custom/basic cpp/h files (test files) via the cmdline. using cl.

Thanks

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Have to add it would be nice if someone knows the exact things needed for UE4 to be happy, in means to the installing of MSbuild tools /cpp compiler bits.

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I had the same issue for content creators that didn’t have Visual Studio installed. They couldn’t open our C++ Project in the Unreal Editor. I fixed it by installing the Build Tools separately. They can be found here at the bottom of the page: Download Visual Studio Tools - Install Free for Windows, Mac, Linux

They were then able to compile the C++ UE4 projects. Still annoying that they had to install that but at least they don’t need Visual Studio itself.

Hope this helps.

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Thank you for your reply FredTuna. Although that didn’t work for me as that was the first step i took… I eventually figured it out and got it working. I will add my answer in a few moments as I only finished it up late last night.

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I finally got it working after so much unnecessary effort…

What FredTuna mentioned above is the first step. But you have to make sure you include a few things in the “components” section when you install vs tools from the vs 2017 installer. Also you can follow this as I later found this page hidden away…

So the way I went was to install all the tools without having to install the VS Studio IDE. Using only VS Cpp Compiler tools and VS Code.

When you install the tools make sure you have the following things selected. Most of these are selected by default.

  • Obviously the basic core features.
  • VC++ 2017 toolset(x86, x64)
  • Windows Universal C Runtime
  • Windows 10 SDK
  • Windows 8.1 SDK and UCRT SDK
  • And most importantly you have to select the 2015 Toolset (Compiler, Headers and things for 32/64 bit) The engine will complain when you don’t have that it needs that.

After that you have to go into the editor via making a blueprint empty project. Then go to Editor Settings and search for “Code” then select VS Code as the pref editor. Only then when you try and make a c++ project it would work.

Also once you have VS Code installed make sure you install the c++ extension the top one with the most downloads. Once you made a project in the editor for c++ it should automatically load up the project folder inside VS Code. I noticed that VS code complained about a few things in the source all I did to fix that was to add at the top of your .h file

#include "Engine.h"

From here everything should work, you can compile the project from within the editor.

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Also worked for me. This should be officially documented somewhere :slight_smile:

EDIT: Works up to 4.18, 4.19 still not happy. going to experiment