How do I create a C++/CLI Winforms app in VS2012?

It is an unsubtle hint that they want you to stop creating C++/CLI Winforms applications. The plumbing is still in place however, at least for VS2012 and VS2013. This might not be the case in a future one.

You can turn a CLR console application into a Winforms application with these steps:

Start with File + New + Project, CLR node, CLR Console Application
Project + Add New Item, UI node, Windows Form
Project + Properties, Linker, System, SubSystem = Windows
Project + Properties, Linker, Advanced, Entry Point = main

Change the pre-generated .cpp file to look like this:

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MyForm.h"

namespace ConsoleApplication45 {    // Change this!!
    using namespace System;
    using namespace System::Windows::Forms;

    [STAThread]
    int main(array<System::String ^> ^args)
    {
        Application::EnableVisualStyles();
        Application::SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false); 
        Application::Run(gcnew MyForm());
        return 0;
    }
}

Note that you'll need to change the namespace name to your project name. Press F5 to test. You can design the form as normal once everything checks out.

NOTE, Visual Studio 2015 has a nasty static initialization order bug in the CRT that can cause the app to crash instantly with an AVE at startup if the project contains any native C++ code. As yet an unfixed bug, the somewhat inevitable hazard of having these project templates removed. A possible workaround is to change the Entry Point (4th bullet).

For a project that targets x86, copy paste this string:

?mainCRTStartupStrArray@@$$FYMHP$01AP$AAVString@System@@@Z

For a project that targets x64, copy paste:

?mainCRTStartupStrArray@@$$FYMHP$01EAPE$AAVString@System@@@Z

Somewhere around VS2017 the designer fails to open a new form with a cryptic error message. Workaround is to build the project first, use Build > Build.

How do I create a C++/CLI Winforms app in VS2012?

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