Visual Studio Build Tools 2026

[Robert]

I installed Visual Studio Build Tools 2026 and found an extra two lines added that aren't in the 2022 version
I don't know why it was installed in C:\Program Files (x86)?
This link describes it?

https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/vcvarsbat-always-displays-DEBUG-informa/10999290?sort=active&openOnly=false&closedOnly=false&topics=ios13

James

Code Select Expand

**********************************************************************
** Visual Studio 2022 Developer Command Prompt v17.14.20
** Copyright (c) 2025 Microsoft Corporation
**********************************************************************
[vcvarsall.bat] Environment initialized for: 'x64'

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools>



**********************************************************************
** Visual Studio 2026 Developer Command Prompt v18.0.0
** Copyright (c) 2025 Microsoft Corporation
**********************************************************************
[DEBUG:ext\vcvars.bat] Found potential v145 version file: 'Microsoft.VCToolsVersion.VC.14.50.18.0.txt'
[DEBUG:ext\vcvars.bat] Testing v145 version file: 'Microsoft.VCToolsVersion.VC.14.50.18.0.txt'
[vcvarsall.bat] Environment initialized for: 'x64'

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\BuildTools>


Hi James:

Thanks for the "DEBUG" explanation link. It had me wondering after installing Visual Studio 2026.

The default installation folder for the MS Build Tools is

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\BuildTools

See the attached screen grab snip.

Visual Studio 2026 installs to

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\Insiders

Martin Storsjo has a Python script  for installing to Linux Wine or Windows. The Wine install is a bit complicated because of the differing Linux console commands and pre-requisite installs needed. The Windows install is dead simple.

python vsdownload.py --accept-license --dest C:\msvc

Details here

https://github.com/mstorsjo/msvc-wine

[jcfuller]

I installed Visual Studio Build Tools 2026 and found an extra two lines added that aren't in the 2022 version
I don't know why it was installed in C:\Program Files (x86)?
This link describes it?

https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/vcvarsbat-always-displays-DEBUG-informa/10999290?sort=active&openOnly=false&closedOnly=false&topics=ios13

James

Code Select Expand

**********************************************************************
** Visual Studio 2022 Developer Command Prompt v17.14.20
** Copyright (c) 2025 Microsoft Corporation
**********************************************************************
[vcvarsall.bat] Environment initialized for: 'x64'

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools>



**********************************************************************
** Visual Studio 2026 Developer Command Prompt v18.0.0
** Copyright (c) 2025 Microsoft Corporation
**********************************************************************
[DEBUG:ext\vcvars.bat] Found potential v145 version file: 'Microsoft.VCToolsVersion.VC.14.50.18.0.txt'
[DEBUG:ext\vcvars.bat] Testing v145 version file: 'Microsoft.VCToolsVersion.VC.14.50.18.0.txt'
[vcvarsall.bat] Environment initialized for: 'x64'

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\18\BuildTools>