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title: "MSBuild (Visual C++) | Microsoft Docs"
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# MSBuild (Visual C++)
You can use the **MSBuild** tool to build a Visual C++ application from the command prompt. The build process is controlled by the information in a project file (.vcxproj) that you can create and edit. The project file specifies build options based on build stages, conditions, and events.  
  
## In This Section  
  
|Term|Definition|  
|----------|----------------|  
|[MSBuild (Visual C++) Overview](../build/msbuild-visual-cpp-overview.md)|Describes how Visual C++ uses the **MSBuild** system.|  
|[Build System Changes](../build/build-system-changes.md)|Discusses some of the differences between the current build system and the previous release.|  
|[Walkthrough: Using MSBuild to Create a Visual C++ Project](../build/walkthrough-using-msbuild-to-create-a-visual-cpp-project.md)|Demonstrates how to create a Visual C++ project using **MSBuild**.|  
|[How to: Use Build Events in MSBuild Projects](../build/how-to-use-build-events-in-msbuild-projects.md)|Demonstrates how to specify an action that occurs at a particuler stage in the build: before the build starts; before the link step starts; or after the build ends.|  
|[How to: Add a Custom Build Step to MSBuild Projects](../build/how-to-add-a-custom-build-step-to-msbuild-projects.md)|Demonstrates how to add a user-defined stage to the build sequence.|  
|[How to: Add Custom Build Tools to MSBuild Projects](../build/how-to-add-custom-build-tools-to-msbuild-projects.md)|Demonstrates how to associate a build tool with a particular file.|  
|[How to: Integrate Custom Tools into the Project Properties](../build/how-to-integrate-custom-tools-into-the-project-properties.md)|Demonstrates how to add options for a custom tool to the project properties.|  
|[How to: Modify the Target Framework and Platform Toolset](../build/how-to-modify-the-target-framework-and-platform-toolset.md)|Demonstrates how to compile a project for multiple frameworks or toolsets.|  
  
## See Also  
 [Building on the Command Line](../build/building-on-the-command-line.md)