How to run MS C++ 6.0 on Windows 7

Question

I have MS Windows C++ version 6.0 on XP. I'd like to move it to a Windows 7 platform but when I try to install it there I get some garbage about it not being compatible, proceed at your own risk etc. When I proceed, it (not surprisingly) doesn't work.

Is there a way to convince these Microsoft tools to play nice with each other? I have Win7 home edition, but I would be willing to upgrade to Win7 Pro IF I knew it would work under the "XP emulation" mode.

Failing both those options, what is the least expensive "upgrade" path for C++? I don't need a bunch of other junk, just the C++ compiler. The goal is to retire my XP system since currently the only reason I keep it is to compile C++ programs that eventually are run under Win7.

Thanks, Hotei

Added info:

I tried the free download of Visual C++ Express 8 several months back. If I recall correctly it lacks a resource editor. That's a deal-killer for me since I need to edit dialogs, menu items, embedded string text, images etc. I'd prefer to stick with MicroSoft but I cant find any evidence that they still support a robust standalone C++ version and I truly resent them making me buy Visual BASIC or C# as a package when I don't want/need it.

Answer 1

If you are using the windows 7 Home edition, you may want to try using Virtualbox (which is free) and use your old XP copy on the virtual machine. These days machines are fast and you can use that.

I concur with taspeotis that Visual C++ Express is another option.

Answer 2

Is there a way to convince these Microsoft tools to play nice with each other? I have Win7 home edition, but I would be willing to upgrade to Win7 Pro IF I knew it would work under the "XP emulation" mode.

It should work under "XP emulation" mode because the tool will be running under a virtualised XP computer. You may want to "try before you buy" using Microsoft Virtual PC and installing a copy of Windows XP in there. Virtual PC uses the same technology as XP Mode.

Failing both those options, what is the least expensive "upgrade" path for C++? I don't need a bunch of other junk, just the C++ compiler. The goal is to retire my XP system since currently the only reason I keep it is to compile C++ programs that eventually are run under Win7.

Microsoft makes Visual C++ Express available for free, although if you are used to Visual C++ 6 then you are in for a bit of a shock. I would choose it for myself, however.

You could also try NetBeans C++ or Eclipse with the CDT plugin. Dev-C has also been popular, although outdated. Not that I think it matters for you.

Answer 3

If you only want the compiler, then Visual C++ Express includes a command line compiler which can avoid the .Net stuff. (The link talks about Visual Studio 2005 but the information is still valid for Visual Studio 2010.)

Answer 4

I think you're stuck with running VC++ 6 (still the best one in a lot of people's eyes :) ) in a VMware XP image, or in a Windows 7's 'XP Mode' image. They're both the same, you run a virtualised copy of XP in its own sandbox. Access to the rest of your hard drive can be awkward, but it'll run.

I use it to run old drivers that Windows 7 refuses to acknowledge.

I personally, would get VMware (its free) and use the migration tool to copy your existing XP machine into a virtual VMware image. That's the easiest way to keep all your stuff. If you go with XP Mode, then you'll have to reinstall and copy your data across. I also prefer VMware a lot over the Microsoft VM offerings.

If you want just a C++ compiler, you can get by with some open source offerings, there are a lot of compilers and editors available. Apparently (not tried it myself) code:blocks allows you to compile .rc files, and integrate the VC6 compiler. there are free resource editors available too. Given that, it would be worth getting a newer compiler and running it under these altrernative IDEs.

Or, of course, migrate your entire app to the (better) QT environment. They have a MFC to QT migration feature.