CMake (CMD) doesn't detect VS 2022

Usage
1

Exactly what it says in the title. Initially, I kept getting this error:

-- The C compiler identification is unknown
-- The CXX compiler identification is unknown
CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:3 (project):
   No CMAKE_C_COMPILER could be found.
   Tell CMake where to find the compiler by setting either the environment
   variable "CC" or the CMake cache entry CMAKE_C_COMPILER to the full path to
   the compiler, or to the compiler name if it is in the PATH.
CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:3 (project):
   No CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER could be found.
   Tell CMake where to find the compiler by setting either the environment
   variable "CXX" or the CMake cache entry CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER to the full path
   to the compiler, or to the compiler name if it is in the PATH.
-- Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!

I used cmake --help to see the list of generators and VS 2022 is nowhere to be found.

Generators

The following generators are available on this platform (* marks default):
* Unix Makefiles               = Generates standard UNIX makefiles.
  Ninja                        = Generates build.ninja files.
  Ninja Multi-Config           = Generates build-<Config>.ninja files.
  CodeBlocks - Ninja           = Generates CodeBlocks project files.
  CodeBlocks - Unix Makefiles  = Generates CodeBlocks project files.
  CodeLite - Ninja             = Generates CodeLite project files.
  CodeLite - Unix Makefiles    = Generates CodeLite project files.
  Eclipse CDT4 - Ninja         = Generates Eclipse CDT 4.0 project files.
  Eclipse CDT4 - Unix Makefiles= Generates Eclipse CDT 4.0 project files.
  Kate - Ninja                 = Generates Kate project files.
  Kate - Unix Makefiles        = Generates Kate project files.
  Sublime Text 2 - Ninja       = Generates Sublime Text 2 project files.
  Sublime Text 2 - Unix Makefiles
                               = Generates Sublime Text 2 project files.

Then I try forcing CMake to use VS 2022 but I get this error:
"CMake Error: CMAKE_GENERATOR was set but the specified generator doesn't exist. Using CMake default."

What’s really frustrating is that this only happens when using CMD. When I run CMake-GUI, it actually does detect VS 2022. So what’s going on?

2

As the VS generator is missing, I guess you’re not using the normal Windows build of CMake. This may be some CYGWIN or MSYS build.
Download the official Windows build and try that instead.

1 Like
3

The MSYS build? You mean this?

Screenshot 2023-09-21 224548
Screenshot 2023-09-21 224548640×870 29.7 KB

If this is what’s causing it, then what should I do so I can use the command line correctly?

4

Yes, that CMake is meant for building inside MSYS usually targeting MSYS, with a compiler installed there.
Install a CMake from the official site instead.

As an alternative you can use the one installed with VS2022 (if you have it installed). If you open a VS2022 developer command prompt, it should be in the PATH. Further details and possibilities are mentioned in the documentation.

5

No see, I already have the official CMake installed, and I’m still getting this issue. I’m asking if the MSYS version is somehow creating conflict.

6

Depending on the installation order, one might in front of the other.
Check with where cmake which executable is found. Fix your PATH to be in the desired order.

7

I renamed the MSYS version to something else and now it targets the Windows build instead. And now everything works. Thanks.