Visual Studio 2015 64 bit: Is It Available?

Yes, Visual Studio 2015 itself is a 32-bit application, but it can create, build, and debug 64-bit (x64) applications. The IDE (the program you see) runs as a 32-bit process even on 64-bit Windows, but the compilers, linkers, and tools it invokes include full 64-bit versions that produce 64-bit executables. In short: you don’t need a separate “64-bit Visual Studio” — the standard installer works fine on 64-bit Windows and supports 64-bit development out of the box.

Background: Why Visual Studio Is 32-Bit

Visual Studio 2015, like all versions up to and including Visual Studio 2022 (which became 64-bit), was built as a 32-bit application. This was a deliberate choice by Microsoft for compatibility and performance reasons. A 32-bit process has a 4 GB virtual address space limit, which can feel restrictive when editing huge solutions, but for most projects it was never a practical problem. The IDE itself doesn’t need to be 64-bit to produce 64-bit software — the compilers and build tools are separate executables that run in their own processes, and those are 64-bit when targeting x64.

On a 64-bit version of Windows, a 32-bit application runs under WOW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit), a compatibility layer that lets 32-bit code run seamlessly. This is why Visual Studio 2015 installs and runs normally on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7 64-bit editions. There is no separate “Visual Studio 2015 64-bit” download — the same installer works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

How 64-Bit Development Works in VS 2015

When you create a project in Visual Studio 2015, you can choose a target platform — the architecture of the executable you want to produce. The default is often “Any CPU” for .NET projects, which lets the .NET runtime decide at runtime. For native C++ projects, you select x64, Win32, or ARM. The IDE invokes the appropriate compiler (cl.exe for C++, csc.exe for C#) with the right flags. The 64-bit compilers are installed alongside the 32-bit ones, so no extra setup is needed.

To build a 64-bit version of a C++ project in VS 2015:

• Open the project in Visual Studio.
• Go to Build > Configuration Manager.
• Under Active solution platform, select x64. If it’s not listed, click New and choose x64.
• Set the platform for the project to x64 and close the dialog.
• Build the solution. The output will be a 64-bit executable.

For .NET projects, you can set the platform target in the project properties under Build > Platform target. Choose x64 to force 64-bit, or leave Any CPU to let the runtime decide.

How to Check If Your Installation Supports 64-Bit

There is no “64-bit version” to check for — the IDE is always 32-bit. But you can verify that the 64-bit build tools are installed:

• Open the Developer Command Prompt for VS2015 (search for it in the Start menu).
• Type cl and press Enter. If you see a help message, the compiler is available.
• To confirm the 64-bit compiler exists, navigate to the VC\bin\amd64 folder inside your Visual Studio installation directory (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC\bin\amd64). If that folder exists, you have the 64-bit compiler.

If you are using the Express or Community edition, the 64-bit tools are included by default. The only scenario where 64-bit compilation might be missing is if you chose a custom install and deselected the 64-bit components. In that case, run the installer again and add the missing components.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misunderstanding is that a 32-bit IDE cannot produce 64-bit code. That is false — the IDE is just an editor and project manager; the actual code generation is done by the compiler, which runs as a separate 64-bit process. Another common issue is that a 64-bit build fails with an error like “fatal error LNK1112: module machine type ‘x86’ conflicts with target machine type ‘x64’.” This happens when you mix object files built for different architectures. The fix is to do a clean rebuild: Build > Clean Solution, then Build > Rebuild Solution.

Another misconception is that you need to install Visual Studio in the 64-bit Program Files folder. Visual Studio 2015 installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\ by default, even on 64-bit Windows. That is normal and does not affect its ability to build 64-bit software.

If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows, you cannot build 64-bit executables at all — the 64-bit compilers require a 64-bit operating system. But on 64-bit Windows, everything works as described.

Comparing Visual Studio 2015 with Later Versions

Visual Studio 2022 was the first version to run as a 64-bit application, which removed the 4 GB memory limit and improved performance on large solutions. If you are starting a new project and don’t have a specific reason to use 2015, a newer version is generally a better choice because it receives updates, supports newer C++ standards, and includes better tooling. However, Visual Studio 2015 is still used in legacy projects, especially those targeting older Windows versions or using older libraries. For those projects, 2015 works fine and supports 64-bit output just as well as newer versions.

One practical difference: Visual Studio 2015 uses the v140 toolset, while 2017 uses v141, 2019 uses v142, and 2022 uses v143. These toolsets are not fully binary-compatible, so if you need to maintain a legacy codebase, you may want to keep 2015 installed alongside a newer version. You can install multiple versions side by side without conflict.

How to Choose the Right Version for Your Needs

If you are deciding whether to use Visual Studio 2015 today, consider the following:

• Legacy maintenance: If you are maintaining an existing project that was built with 2015, stick with it to avoid toolset upgrade issues.
• New development: Prefer a newer version (2019 or 2022) for better performance, more features, and ongoing support.
• Windows compatibility: Visual Studio 2015 can target Windows XP (with an update), while newer versions cannot. If you must support Windows XP, 2015 is one of the last options.
• 64-bit requirement: All versions from 2015 onward can produce 64-bit binaries. The IDE bitness does not affect your output.

If you are simply asking because you want to run 64-bit software on your machine, Visual Studio 2015 is not something you need to worry about — your compiled programs will run as 64-bit if you build them that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Visual Studio 2015 on 64-bit Windows?

Yes. The installer is a 32-bit application, but it runs perfectly on 64-bit Windows through the WOW64 compatibility layer. There is no separate 64-bit installer.

How do I make Visual Studio 2015 build a 64-bit application?

For C++ projects, use Configuration Manager to add an x64 platform. For .NET projects, set the Platform target to x64 in the project properties. Then build normally.

Why does Visual Studio 2015 install to Program Files (x86)?

Because the IDE is a 32-bit application, Windows installs it in the 32-bit program files directory by default. This is normal and does not affect functionality.

Is there a 64-bit version of Visual Studio 2015?

No. Visual Studio 2015 is only available as a 32-bit application. The first 64-bit version of Visual Studio was 2022. However, 2015 can still produce 64-bit executables.

Can I use Visual Studio 2015 to compile 64-bit drivers?

Yes, you can compile 64-bit kernel-mode drivers if you install the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) that is compatible with Visual Studio 2015. The WDK provides the necessary headers and libraries.

What happens if I try to build an x64 project on a 32-bit Windows?

The build will fail because the 64-bit compilers are not installed on 32-bit Windows. You need a 64-bit operating system to build 64-bit binaries.

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