Windows Forms Application in Visual C++ 2012

Microsoft has removed the option to create a C++/CLI Windows Forms application by default, the template files are still installed. The only thing missing seems to be the .vsz files and a registration in the vcNET.vcdir file.

Visual C++ 2012 does not have any windows forms application by default

Just follow these steps to have Windows Forms Application in Visual Studio C++ 2012

Step One

Download the following files.

[wpfilebase tag=file id=1 tpl=download-button /]

Now extract the compressed file.

Step Two

Now fire up windows explorer and go to "C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCvcprojectsvcNET"

or‚ "[Visual Studio Installation Directory] VCvcprojectsvcNET"

Step Three

Create a new directory and now backup all the files.

Backup all the old files

Step Four

Now copy all the extracted files from "Step One" and paste inside this folder "C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCvcprojectsvcNET" or‚  "[Visual Studio Installation Directory] VCvcprojectsvcNET"

Copy all the extracted files paste-all-the-copied-files

Step Five

Run Visual Studio and select New Project > Visual C++ > CLR

Now you should be able to see Windows Forms Application

visual-cpp-2012-forms-application-is-now-present

Step Six (optional)

Create a new Windows Forms in Visual C++ and see if everything is working or not.

New Visual C++ 2012 Form Application Created Visual C++ Form Application Running in Debug Mode

33 thoughts on “Windows Forms Application in Visual C++ 2012”

  1. Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m
    definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

  2. Great, thanks. For all you VS express users:
    use this directory: C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCvcprojects_WDExpressvcNET

    and you also need to copy the WinForm directory from another version to C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCVCWizardsAppWiz.NET

  3. Thank you for this. Microsoft’s treatment of C++ coders in the last two releases has been baffling. No Intellisense in the last release, no new forms in 2012.

    1. I agree, its like they are trying to have a poor business strategy. My solution to the problem is visual studio 6 and 2010. I think 2010 was the beginning of their collapse.

  4. Great web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  5. I’ve got some problem here… when i tryed to create the project i saw the new options,but i just could not select them.Any ideias of how to solve it?

  6. @Daniel
    This behaivor looks like, you tryed this workaround in VS Express.
    In the Express version are no winform templates. You have to copy them from an older VS Express version (2010 or 2008) into the 2012 directory.
    See the comment by B:
    and you also need to copy the WinForm directory from another version to C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCVCWizardsAppWiz.NET

  7. Hello,

    thanks for this great instruction. I have one additional question. Do you have an really easy way to create a windows form app that runs on another computer, or an easy way to create an installer for that?
    Thanks

  8. Hi, the zip file you uploaded contains only six files, but in your screenshots, it shows 11 files. Is it okay? thanks!

  9. Thanks! Creating a blank CLR project and adding the winform afterwards with all the linking and what not is a bit of a pain in the ass.

  10. Hello I am having a problem. Everything worked up until I go and make the Windows Forms project. I enter my project name and click create, then the window disappears like it should but instead of creating the project it sends me back to project creation a second later.

  11. Hi
    About “and you also need to copy the WinForm directory from another version to C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0VCVCWizardsAppWiz.NET”
    I simply don’t have another version of MVS.
    Can somebody send me this WinForm directory?

  12. Thanks. You saved my genitals, because I was planning to sever them and feed them to the crows perched and waiting in the mulberry tree visible from my office window.

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