Article ID: 922323 - Last Review: August 10, 2006 - Revision: 1.0

BUG: You receive many compilation error messages when you compile a Visual C++ application in Visual Studio 2005

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:

You create a Microsoft Visual C++ application in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.
You include the following header files:
- Windows.h
- Gdiplus.h

In this scenario, when you compile the application, you receive many compilation error messages.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because the default Stdafx.h file defines the WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN constant. When this constant is defined, necessary definitions for the Gdiplus.h file are excluded.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, comment out or delete the following line of code in the Stdafx.h file of the Visual C++ application project.

#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN // Exclude rarely-used stuff from Windows headers

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the problem

Start Visual Studio 2005.
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Project.
Under Project types, click Visual C++.

Note If you cannot see the Visual C++ project type, expand Other Languages, and then click Visual C++.
Under Templates, click Win32 Console Application.
Type a project name, and then click OK.
Click Finish.
Paste the following code in the code window.
#include <windows.h> #include <gdiplus.h>
Note Paste this code after the #include "stdafx.h" statement and before the int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[]) statement.
On the Build menu, click Build Solution. You receive the compilation error messages that are mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.