Reference error while compiling C file in VS2010 command-prompt

Question

I have VS 2010 installed on my system and i was trying to compile a simple hello.c in VS command prompt. The compilation gave an error.

Fatal Error C1083: Cannot open include file: 'stdio.h' no such file, folder exist

Why this error is coming ?? Does VS2010 not include reference files/assemblies for C.

Answer 1

VS 2010 certainly does contain the standard headers. You should check that your command prompt environment is set up correctly. There should be an environment variable named INCLUDE that has a directory similar to the cfollowing (among other directories) in it:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\INCLUDE

that directory (the name may vary slightly, for example depending on if your machine is a 64-bit OS of not) should include stdio.h

If you don't have such a directory in your environment, then you're not setting up the environment correctly. You should use on of the "Visual Studio Command Prompt" shortcuts that VS installs, or simply run

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\vcvarsall.bat

With the appropriate parameter to get the environment you want ( x86 or amd64 for example).

If the INCLUDE environment variable does have an entry like that, but the stdio.h file doesn't exist, then you might need to reinstall VS.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem as the OP the VC folder was missing most of the files. I tried both repairing and uninstalling/reinstalling VS 2010 but neither worked.

What worked for me was installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86). Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)

Answer 3

There are so many versions of so much Windows system code that it's easy for a path to become invalid.

In my case:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1A\Include

and

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1A\Lib

needed to be changed to::

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Include

and

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Lib

ie v7.1A -> v7.0A (don't ask why, it just part of the everyday, tiresome task of dealing with Microsoft!).

Answer 4

I had the same problem. The file stdio.h did not exist in folder include. I removed VS 2010 using the Control Panel then reinstalled, but this didn't solve the problem.

I then used the VS 2010 installation CD to remove all of VS 2010, and manually removed anything leftover by Control Panel. I then installed VS 2010 professional again. The problem was solved.