Build and Run Options

Determines whether changed files are automatically saved when a project or its solution is built, the maximum number of Visual C++ projects that can build at the same time, and certain default behavior on Run. To access this dialog box, on the Tools menu, click Options, click Projects and Solutions, and then click Build and Run.

Save all changes

Automatically saves changes to the solution file and all project files that were changed since the last build when you press F5, or click Start on the Debug menu or Build on the Build menu. No prompt is given. Items are saved with their current names. By default, this option is enabled.

Save changes to open documents only

Automatically saves changes to all open documents when you press F5, or click Start on the Debug menu or Build on the Build menu. No prompt is given.

Prompt to save all changes

When selected, displays a dialog box that asks whether you want to save changes to the solution and project items when you press F5 or click Start on the Debug menu or Build on the Build menu. The Save As dialog box is displayed so that you can assign a name and location to your project. If this option is not selected, the project runs by using the memory image that contains your changes, but the changes are not saved.

Don't save any changes

When you run your project, the integrated development environment (IDE) runs the code version in the open documents and does not save changes to open documents.

Maximum number of parallel project builds

Specifies the maximum number of projects that can build at the same time. To optimize the build process, the maximum number of parallel project builds is automatically set to the number of CPUs of your computer. The maximum is 32.

Only build start-up projects and dependencies on Run

When selected, pressing F5 or clicking Start on the Debug menu or Build on the Build menu only builds the start-up project and its dependencies. When this option is cleared, pressing F5 builds all projects, dependencies, and solution files. By default, this option is cleared.

Always build

The message box is not displayed and the out of date project configuration is built. This option is set when you select Do not show this dialog again in the message, and then click Yes.

Never build

The message box is not displayed and the out of date project configuration is not built. This option is set when you select Do not show this dialog again in the message, and then click No.

Prompt to build

Displays the message box every time that a project configuration is out of date.

Prompt to launch

Displays the message box every time that build errors occur.

Do not launch

The message box is not displayed and the application is not started. This option is set when you select Do not show this dialog again in the message box, and then click No.

Launch old version

The message box is not displayed and the newly built version of the application is not started. This option is set when you select Do not show this dialog again in the message box, and then click Yes.

For new solutions use the currently selected project as the start-up project

If selected, new solutions use the currently selected project as the start-up project.

MSBuild project build output verbosity

Sets the verbosity level for the build output. For more information, see the /verbosity switch in MSBuild Command Line Reference.

MSBuild project build log file verbosity

Sets the verbosity level for the build log file. For more information, see the /verbosity switch in MSBuild Command Line Reference.