Visual Studio 2022 and 2026

This guide uses Visual Studio’s built-in CMake support to build GeneralsGameCode with a modern compiler. The shared presets, options, targets, output paths, and installation steps are documented in the Building with CMake guide.

Visual Studio 2022 and 2026 use the same steps.

Requirements

In Visual Studio Installer, select Desktop development with C++ and enable:

Windows 11 SDK (10.0.26100.x)
C++ CMake tools for Windows

For Visual Studio 2022, also enable:

MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools (Latest)
C++ MFC for latest v143 build tools (x86 & x64)

For Visual Studio 2026, enable these v143 compatibility components:

MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools (v14.44)
C++ v14.44 (17.14) MFC for v143 build tools (x86 & x64)

Standalone CMake and Ninja installations are not required when building through the IDE.

Clone and open the source

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/TheSuperHackers/GeneralsGameCode.git

In Visual Studio, select File > Open > Folder and open the cloned GeneralsGameCode directory. Visual Studio reads CMakePresets.json and starts configuring the project. The first configure downloads several dependencies, so it requires an internet connection.

Select a preset

On the Visual Studio toolbar, select Local Machine, then choose matching configure and build presets:

Build	Configure preset	Build preset
Release	Win32 Release	Build Win32 Release
Debug	Win32 Debug	Build Win32 Debug
Profile	Win32 Profile	Build Win32 Profile

Wait for the CMake output to report that generation finished before building.

Retail compatibility: Win32 builds are not compatible with retail multiplayer or replays.

Build

Select Build > Build All to build every enabled target.

To build one target, switch Solution Explorer to CMake Targets View, right-click a target such as g_generals or z_generals, and select Build.

Release game executables are written to:

build/win32/Generals/Release/generalsv.exe
build/win32/GeneralsMD/Release/generalszh.exe

Install

Run each installed game at least once so CMake can find its directory from the Windows registry. In CMake Targets View, right-click the top-level install target and select Build. This builds the active configuration if needed, then copies the enabled executables and debug symbols into the detected game directories.

See Install to set the game directories manually. Administrator permission may be required when a game is installed under Program Files.

Run

On the Visual Studio toolbar, open Select Startup Item and choose g_generals or z_generals. Select the green Start button or press F5 to build and run it with the debugger. To run without the debugger, select Debug > Start Without Debugging or press Ctrl+F5.

See the Building with CMake guide for Debug and Profile output, game and tool selection, and individual targets.

Troubleshooting

A preset is missing

Confirm that Visual Studio opened the repository root containing CMakePresets.json. If needed, enable CMake Presets under Tools > Options > CMake > General, close the folder, and open it again.

MFC headers or libraries are missing

Open Visual Studio Installer, modify the installation, and add the MFC component matching your Visual Studio version from the requirements. In Visual Studio 2026, confirm that the v143 compatibility MFC component is enabled.

Configuration or dependency download fails

Check the CMake output for the first error. Confirm that Git can access GitHub, then select Project > Delete Cache and Reconfigure.

A path is too long

Move the repository closer to the drive root, such as C:\GeneralsGameCode, then delete the CMake cache and reconfigure.