The primary cause of this error is that the /t option specifies multiple targets for the build operation. When you use the /t option without specifying a single target, msbuild.exe assumes that you want to build all projects in the solution. However, if you have multiple projects with different conf

Coding⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: MSBUILD : error MSB1008: Only one project can be specified

Q: How do I fix: 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps Resolving the Error by Specifying a Single Project?

Step 1: To resolve this issue, you need to specify a single project using the /p option. You can do this by replacing the /t option with the name of the project you want to build or publish.Step 2: For example, if your project is named EduBenesysNET, you would use the following command: msbuild.exe

Q: How do I fix: Resolving the Error by Avoiding Multiple Project-Specific Properties?

Step 1: Alternatively, if you have multiple projects with different configurations and platforms, you need to specify each project separately using the /p option. You can do this by adding the /p option for each project individually.Step 2: For example, if you have two projects named EduBenesysNET1

MSBUILD error MSB1008: Only one project can be specified

Quick Answer: The issue is caused by specifying multiple projects in the command line. Try using the /m option to specify multiple projects, e.g., /t:publish /m:2 C:ile1.vbproj /t:publish /m:2 C:ile2.vbproj

📋 Table of Contents

⚠️ Common Causes
🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
🎯 Final Words

The error MSB1008: Only one project can be specified occurs when you try to build or publish multiple projects using the same command-line arguments. This issue affects developers who are working with Visual Studio and the msbuild.exe tool.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents you from successfully building or publishing your application. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and continue working on your project.

⚠️ Common Causes

The primary cause of this error is that the /t option specifies multiple targets for the build operation. When you use the /t option without specifying a single target, msbuild.exe assumes that you want to build all projects in the solution. However, if you have multiple projects with different configurations and platforms, this can lead to confusion and errors.
An alternative cause of this error is that you are using the /p option to specify project-specific properties, such as Configuration or Platform, without specifying a single project. This can cause msbuild.exe to try to build multiple projects simultaneously, resulting in the MSB1008 error.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Resolving the Error by Specifying a Single Project

Step 1: To resolve this issue, you need to specify a single project using the /p option. You can do this by replacing the /t option with the name of the project you want to build or publish.
Step 2: For example, if your project is named EduBenesysNET, you would use the following command: msbuild.exe C:\\Code\\EduBenesysNET\\EduBenesysNET.vbproj /t:publish /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=AnyCPU /v:detailed /p:PublishDir="\BSIIS3\c$\DATA\WEBSITES\benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest" /p:InstallUrl="https://www.benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest\/" /p:ApplicationVersion=1.0.1.198 /p:ProductName="Total Education TEST" /p:PublisherName="BeneSys, Inc." /p:UpdateRequired=True" /p:MinimumRequiredVersion=1.0.1.198
Step 3: By specifying a single project, you can avoid the MSB1008 error and successfully build or publish your application.

Resolving the Error by Avoiding Multiple Project-Specific Properties

Step 1: Alternatively, if you have multiple projects with different configurations and platforms, you need to specify each project separately using the /p option. You can do this by adding the /p option for each project individually.
Step 2: For example, if you have two projects named EduBenesysNET1 and EduBenesysNET2, you would use the following command: msbuild.exe C:\\Code\\EduBenesysNET1\\EduBenesysNET1.vbproj /t:publish /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=AnyCPU /v:detailed /p:PublishDir="\BSIIS3\c$\DATA\WEBSITES\benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest" /p:InstallUrl="https://www.benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest\/" /p:ApplicationVersion=1.0.1.198 /p:ProductName="Total Education TEST" /p:PublisherName="BeneSys, Inc." /p:UpdateRequired=True" /p:MinimumRequiredVersion=1.0.1.198 msbuild.exe C:\\Code\\EduBenesysNET2\\EduBenesysNET2.vbproj /t:publish /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=AnyCPU /v:detailed /p:PublishDir="\BSIIS3\c$\DATA\WEBSITES\benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest" /p:InstallUrl="https://www.benesys.net\benesys.net\TotalEducationTest\/" /p:ApplicationVersion=1.0.1.198 /p:ProductName="Total Education TEST" /p:PublisherName="BeneSys, Inc." /p:UpdateRequired=True" /p:MinimumRequiredVersion=1.0.1.198
Step 3: By specifying each project separately, you can avoid the MSB1008 error and successfully build or publish your application.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the MSB1008 error, you need to specify a single project using the /t option or avoid using multiple project-specific properties. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully build or publish your application.

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