title: Visual C++: LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libboost_system-vc120-mt-gd-1_55.lib'
body: <p>I unzipped <a href="http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_55_0/more/getting_started/windows.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Boost</a> library in</p>
  
  <p>C:\boost</p>
  
  <p>and ran</p>
  
  <pre><code>bootstrap.bat
  b2.exe install
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>via Visual Studio 2017's Developer Command Prompt.</p>
  
  <p>It created two folders for me:</p>
  
  <pre><code>C:\boost\include
  C:\boost\lib
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Which I added to </p>
  
  <pre><code>VC++ Directories &gt; Include Directories
  Linker &gt; General &gt; Additional Library Directories
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Respectively.</p>
  
  <p>Now, building the following code:</p>
  
  <pre><code>#define _WIN32_WINDOWS 0x0501
  #define _WINSOCK_DEPRECATED_NO_WARNINGS
  
  #include &lt;boost/asio.hpp&gt;
  
  int main()
  {
      return 0;
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Produces the following error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>1&gt;main.cpp
  1&gt;Unknown compiler version - please run the configure tests and report the results
  1&gt;LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libboost_system-vc120-mt-gd-1_55.lib'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It is surprising for me that <code>VC++</code> looks for <code>libboost_system-vc120-mt-gd-1_55.lib</code> while the built <code>lib</code> files are:</p>
  
  <pre><code>libboost_system-vc-mt-1_55.lib
  libboost_system-vc-mt-gd-1_55.lib
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Which is missing a number. Is it related to the warnings poping up during building of <code>Boost</code>?</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Unknown compiler version - please run the configure tests and report the results</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p><strong>Update:</strong></p>
  
  <p>Please do not link this question to <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13042561/">here</a>. The path is correct as I have run <code>b2.exe</code> with <code>install</code> switch. In addition, the option ( C++ → General → Additional Include Directories parameter) is related to old visual Studio IDE. I know it is very stupid to explain such basics. But unfortunately, I see a strong insist on such a linking.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Update:</strong></p>
  
  <p>It is a shame that a gang of users mark this question as a duplicate by linking to a wrong question while they know they are wrong. If you make a mistake, do not insist on it. </p>