msvcup is available under the MIT license. Use the winget command or the direct download link to get it.

msvcup 20260408 — winget install

// install via winget

Command Prompt & PowerShell click to copy

winget install JonathanMarler.msvcup

// direct download

Download Installer

// about msvcup

msvcup is a standalone tool for installing the MSVC toolchain and Windows SDK without Visual Studio. The Visual Studio Installer manages thousands of components, modifies the registry, and can take hours to configure. msvcup treats the toolchain as a versioned asset rather than global system state. The build environment is defined by code, not a GUI. - Fast: Runs in milliseconds when already installed. Put it at the start of every build script. - Reproducible: Lock file ensures everyone gets the same toolchain. - Isolated: Every package is installed to its own versioned directory. No registry modifications. No conflicts. - Cross-compilation: Target x64, arm64, or x86 out of the box. - Minimal: Download only what's needed to get a working native toolchain/SDK.

// frequently asked questions

How do I install msvcup using winget?

Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run: winget install JonathanMarler.msvcup. Winget ships with Windows 10 (1809+) and Windows 11 — no additional install needed.

What is msvcup?

A standalone tool for installing the MSVC toolchain and Windows SDK without Visual Studio.

Is msvcup free to download?

msvcup is distributed under the MIT license. Use the winget command above or click the download button to get the installer directly from the publisher.

How do I update msvcup with winget?

Run winget upgrade JonathanMarler.msvcup in PowerShell or Windows Terminal to update msvcup to the latest available version.

What architecture does msvcup support?

The listed installer targets the x64 architecture. See the publisher’s documentation for full compatibility details.