Visual Studio 2019 Unable to start program, the system cannot find the file specified

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Visual Studio 2019 Unable to start program, the system cannot find the file specified

Isaac Tait 21

I am having a similar issue as this post. However, on build I have 0 errors, 0 warning, and 0 messages.

I took a look at Project -> Properties but I do not seem to have a linker option (which appears to be a typical fix that others have used to solve this issue).

I have also tried Rebuilding Solution and then running but that does not seem to work either...

Based on the aforementioned similar issue I understand the premise that "when an exe cannot be created (or in my case - found)... then naturally it cannot be run as it does not exist". However, I do not understand where the disconnect is occurring that is preventing this file from either being found or created...

Any help sorting this out would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Sam of Simple Samples 5,546 Reputation points

2021-07-18T17:08:30.657+00:00

I am not sure what directory the main.cpp file is in but you can right-click Source File in the Solution Explorer then select "Add.." then "existing Item" then add main.cpp. In the future you can create a C++ project in the same way you did but then you can right-click Source File in the Solution Explorer then select "Add.." then "new Item" and that will create an empty cpp file.
Morteza Baghlane 0 Reputation points

2024-11-01T07:53:36.5966667+00:00

I've had a similar problem like this and the issue with my project was using statement

my project was ASP.NET Core MVC and in one of my cshtml pages I was using a class with it name space but I've been written the class name wrong(because of case in sensitive some letters was written in wrong size) and when I fixed the class name the project as well fixed and that error gone

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Sam of Simple Samples 5,546 Reputation points

2021-07-18T17:08:30.657+00:00

I am not sure what directory the main.cpp file is in but you can right-click Source File in the Solution Explorer then select "Add.." then "existing Item" then add main.cpp. In the future you can create a C++ project in the same way you did but then you can right-click Source File in the Solution Explorer then select "Add.." then "new Item" and that will create an empty cpp file.
Morteza Baghlane 0 Reputation points

2024-11-01T07:53:36.5966667+00:00

I've had a similar problem like this and the issue with my project was using statement

my project was ASP.NET Core MVC and in one of my cshtml pages I was using a class with it name space but I've been written the class name wrong(because of case in sensitive some letters was written in wrong size) and when I fixed the class name the project as well fixed and that error gone

Answer 1

Viorel 122.6K

It seems that you created an empty project and main.cpp is not included into project.

Try creating a new “Console App” project, check that it runs, then add your code. It is possible to add existing files too.

Answer 2

Isaac Tait 21

When I created the project I went to File -> New -> File instead of the way @Sam of Simple Samples suggested. Here is some documentation on how to do it correctly (both for myself and for anyone else who comes across this in the future). Thank you @Viorel for pointing out my error. I am getting it sorted out now. Cheers!

Answer 3

slipbits 16

I have a similar problem. My builds/rebuilds have 0 errors/0 warnings. The code has been built correctly, or errors fixed, and built for 5+ months. My main file has a main in it, unchanged for 5+ months. My Debug directory has an .exe in it. My object file directory, <program name>/Debug has .obj files in it but no .exe file. I have no external libraries that I link to.

I have done a clean and build/rebuild.

I have looked at previous posts. I have checked my Tools->Options and I seem to have all of the posted options set.

I don't know what else to do. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Sam of Simple Samples 5,546 Reputation points

2022-11-12T21:30:46.8+00:00

Your problem is different. You should create a new question for it.
modali 0 Reputation points

2023-02-20T15:27:57.45+00:00

I stumbled upon the same problem

Did you manage to solve it?

I wasn‘t able to find anything useful ,I‘d appreciate it if you could help
RLWA32 49,636 Reputation points

2023-02-20T18:22:44.8533333+00:00

modali, Posting a "me too" comment to a 2 year old question for which an answer has been accepted is not the best way to get help.

I suggest you ask a new question and provide relevant details about the particulars of your situation. Refer to How to write a quality question

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Visual Studio 2019 Unable to start program, the system cannot find the file specified

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