I want to set up my default project property settings. When conducting my projects, I tend to modify the property settings, such as changing the output directory and intermediate directory . But it's so annoying to change every time. How can I modify the default settings? And I'd like to know how to change my *.vcxproj.filters and *.vcxproj files' directory?

The basis of creating a reusable way to easily change the default property settings of a C++ project is to use a custom property sheet. See Share or reuse Visual Studio project settings . This custom property sheet would then be added to a C++ project and its property settings would automatically be reflected in the project. And I'd like to know how to change my *.vcxproj.filters and *.vcxproj files' directory? When creating a new C++ project you choose the location of the project file (.vcxproj). By default the .vcxproj.filters file is created in the same location that you chose for the project file. So its not clear to me what you mean by this question.

How to modify the default configuration properties of a project?

Accepted answer

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-23T07:17:53.7333333+00:00

The basis of creating a reusable way to easily change the default property settings of a C++ project is to use a custom property sheet. See Share or reuse Visual Studio project settings. This custom property sheet would then be added to a C++ project and its property settings would automatically be reflected in the project.

And I'd like to know how to change my *.vcxproj.filters and *.vcxproj files' directory?

When creating a new C++ project you choose the location of the project file (.vcxproj). By default the .vcxproj.filters file is created in the same location that you chose for the project file. So its not clear to me what you mean by this question.
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w H 20 Reputation points

2024-08-23T10:48:07.7666667+00:00

I have read that article even before asking the question. But I really don't know how can I manage it in detail, since I am a beginner in vs. Could you please tell me a way to manage it?

So its not clear to me what you mean by this question.

As for the second question, what I want to express is: I want to put *.vcxproj.filters , *.vcxproj and *.user these three files in a folder with the same name as the Solution, which will make the entire folder look neater, as shown in the picture below:

The Example folder will contain the files circled in red.

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-23T11:03:28.4033333+00:00

When creating a new project do NOT check the box in the image below -

After project has been created -- Solution folder

Project Folder

w H 20 Reputation points

2024-08-23T11:17:58.5133333+00:00

OMG! Thank you so much for telling me this! You are really a good observer. And as for the first question, I will search for more information and try to solve it, thanks for your attention!

w H 20 Reputation points

2024-08-23T11:18:59.7433333+00:00

OMG! Thank you so much for telling me this! You are really a wonderful observer. And as for the first question, I will search for more information and try to solve it, thanks for your attention!

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-23T12:04:31.76+00:00

The default Output and Intermediate folders (Win32 and x64) appear as follows

For Win32

For x64

Following is a sample custom property sheet that will change the Output and Intermediate folders. Note that these are now placed under the project folder in bin and obj folders, respectively.

Custom sheet -- MyFolders.props

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003"> <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets" /> <PropertyGroup Label="UserMacros" /> <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'"> <OutDir>$(ProjectDir)bin\$(Configuration)\</OutDir> <IntDir>$(ProjectDir)obj\$(Configuration)\</IntDir> </PropertyGroup> <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'"> <OutDir>$(ProjectDir)bin\$(Configuration)\</OutDir> <IntDir>$(ProjectDir)obj\$(Configuration)\</IntDir> </PropertyGroup> <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'"> <OutDir>$(ProjectDir)bin\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</OutDir> <IntDir>$(ProjectDir)obj\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</IntDir> </PropertyGroup> <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'"> <OutDir>$(ProjectDir)bin\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</OutDir> <IntDir>$(ProjectDir)obj\$(Platform)\$(Configuration)\</IntDir> </PropertyGroup> <ItemDefinitionGroup /> <ItemGroup /> </Project>

Place the MyFolders.props file in the project folder with the .vcxproj file. With your C++ project loaded in VS open the Property Manager pane using the main menu command View->Property Manager. You should see a pane that looks like this -

Click the toolbar button in the Property Manager to Add Existing Property Sheet. You should see something like this -

Select MyFolders.props to add the custom sheet.

Now with all of its nodes expanded the Property Manager should look like this -

Note that MyFolders is at the top for each configuration/platform node.

Finally, if you now look at your project properties they should appear like this -

For Win32 -

For x64

You can reuse the MyFolders.props file for other projects to achieve the same results without the need to edit individual project properties.

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-23T12:15:33.4866667+00:00

I posted a pretty detailed example with a sample property sheet for you but my comment was wrongly deleted by the site. I have requested that it be restored. Keep an eye out for it

w H 20 Reputation points

2024-08-23T12:23:25.7066667+00:00

OK! I will check it out from time to time. It's really kind of you!

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-23T13:43:58.7266667+00:00

Fyi, detailed example and sample sheet have been restored.

RLWA32 44,931 Reputation points

2024-08-24T07:19:54.03+00:00

Finally, if you will be creating a number of projects for which you intend to use a specific custom property sheet there is a way to organize things so that you don't need to add the custom property sheet to each individual project for its property settings to be reflected in those projects.
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