Search code examples
.netvb.netmsbuild64-bit32-bit

How do I force MSBuild to compile for 32-bit mode?

I'm using MSBuild (via NAnt) to compile a bunch of VB.NET assemblies. Because these assemblies depend on COM Interop, I need to guarantee that they run in 32-bit mode on 64 bit OS's. I can get the executable assemblies to compile to 32-bit by changing the project in Visual Studio, but I'd really like to be able to force all of the executables to be compiled to 32 bit mode on the build server.

I've tried a number of command-line parameters to MSBuild with no luck:

  • /p:Platform=win32
  • /p:Platform=x86
  • /p:ProcessorArchitecture=x86

What am I doing wrong? Is there some reference to the properties that MSBuild uses when compiling VB projects?

Solution

  • If the assemblies themselves are always going to be 32 bit, why not add the setting to the .vbproj file? That will take MSBuild out of the equation.

    Just add the following line to the initial PropertyGroup in the .vbproj file

    <PlatformTarget>x86</PlatformTarget>