Why doesn't this .asm code assemble in MASM?

Question

The code below doesn't assemble in Visual Studio 2019:

> .286

> .model small, stdcall

> .stack 4096

> .code

> main PROC

>  xor eax, eax

>  ret

> main ENDP

> END main

The code emits error A2008: syntax error : . for the .286

If I replace .286 with .386, or .486 the code executes normally. What am I missing?

Please disregard my tag. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to post the question.

Answer 1

If you check https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/assembler/masm/directives-reference?view=msvc-160#processor .286 does not appear to be supported.