Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Why does MSBuild look in C:\ for Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props instead of c:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild? ( error MSB4019)

MSBuild looks for Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props in C:\ instead of Program Files (x86)\MSBuild due to a misconfigured VCTargetsPath. Update the path to include the correct location.

Quick Answer: Update the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\MSBuild\ToolVersions\V4.0 VCTargetsPath to $(MSBuildExtensionsPath32)\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes (continued)
  4. 💡 Conclusion

The error MSB4019 occurs when the MSBuild tool fails to locate the Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props file, which is expected to be in a specific location. The issue arises from the way the path to this file is set in the HKLM/software registry.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The path to Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props is set in the HKLM/software registry, but it points to a 32-bit location (c:\\\MSBuild) instead of the 64-bit location.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Update the registry path

  1. Step 1: Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/software\\\Microsoft\\\MSBuild\\\ToolVersions\V4.0\VCTargetsPath.

Method 1: Update the registry path (continued)

  1. Step 2: In the right-hand pane, find the value VCTargetsPath and double-click it to edit its value.

Method 1: Update the registry path (continued)

  1. Step 3: In the Value data field, update the path to point to the 64-bit location: ${MSBuildExtensionsPath64}\\\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes (continued)

Method 2: Set the path manually

  1. Step 1: Create a new file named MSBuildExtensionsPath64.txt in the root of your user directory (C:\\\Users\\\\\\\AppData\\\Roaming\Microsoft\\\MSBuildExtensionsPath64.txt).

Method 2: Set the path manually (continued)

  1. Step 2: In this file, set the value to point to the 64-bit location: ${MSBuildExtensionsPath64}\\\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0.

💡 Conclusion

By updating the registry path or setting it manually, you should be able to resolve the MSB4019 error and build your VC2010 project successfully.

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