PRB: Error Message: Fatal Error LNK1104 Cannot Open File "Nafxcwd.lib" (243458)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual C++ Standard Edition, version 6.0
This article was previously published under Q243458

SYMPTOMS

When you build a program that uses the Visual C++ Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC), the following error occurs:
LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file "nafxcwd.lib"

CAUSE

This can happen if the project settings are set to Use MFC in a Static Library. Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Standard Edition does not support statically linking with the MFC libraries.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, dynamically link your application to the MFC libraries.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

To change your MFC project setting to link dynamically to the MFC libraries, perform the following steps:
  1. Open your MFC project.
  2. From the Project menu, click Settings.
  3. In the Settings For combo box, select All Configurations.
  4. Click the General tab. If it is not visible, use the tab scroll buttons to scroll to the left.
  5. In the Microsoft Foundation Classes combo box, select Use MFC in a Shared DLL.
  6. Click OK to save the changes.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/11/2002
Keywords:kbDSupport kbprb KB243458
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.