How to: Change the Build Output Directory

Visual Studio provides a way for you to modify the location of output generated by your project. Due to differences in the Project Designers for the different languages, the procedure for modifying the build output directory varies.

Note

The Output file name box in the Setup project property page differs from the Output Path box in other project property pages in that it changes only the location of the Setup.exe file, not the project files. For more information, see Build, Configuration Properties, Deployment Project Properties Dialog Box.

Visual Basic Projects

For Visual Basic projects, changing the build output directory is done through the Compile Pane of the Project Designer. For more information, see Introduction to the Project Designer.

Visual C# Projects

To change the build output directory:

1. On the Project menu, click Properties.

2. Click the Build tab.

3. Click the Browse button next to the Output path box and select a new build output directory.

Visual C++ Projects

To change the build output directory:

1. On the Project menu, click Properties.

2. Expand the Configuration Properties tab, and click General.

3. Change the Output Directory box to the new output directory.

Setup Projects

To change the build output directory:

1. On the Project menu, click Properties.

2. Change the Output file name box to the new output directory.

See Also

Reference

Build Page, Project Designer (C#)

General Property Page (Project)

Other Resources

Building Applications in Visual Studio