Windows Sdk 8.1 Download

16.12.2020
62 Comments

Mozilla, from time to time, might support building against multiple versions of the Windows SDK as a compatibility/transitional measure. If it does, several features will be disabled if you build with an SDK older than the default, which means that you'll have to specify a non-default SDK version explicitly.

Quick start

Follow the instructions for whichever version of Visual C++ you're using.

The Windows Phone 8.1 Update Emulators package adds additional emulator images to an existing installation of Visual Studio 2015 or Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 or later. With this update installed, you can create and test apps that will run on devices that have Windows Phone 8.1 Update. Microsoft Windows Sdk 8.1; Windows Phone 8.1 Sdk Tools; Windows Phone 81 Sdk Download Free; For our full coverage, head to Windows Phone 8.1 SDK leak - All you need to know! Windows Phone 8.1, codenamed 'Blue', is a forthcoming major update for Microsoft's mobile platform. You can use the Windows SDK, along with your chosen development environment, to write Windows Store apps and desktop apps for Windows 8.1 as well as Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008. Microsoft DirectX 8.1 SDK full by Microsoft Corporation. Publication date 2001-11-03. WINDOWS EXECUTABLE download. Download 8 Files download 7 Original. The Windows 8.1 SDK is no longer available in the Visual Studio installer. Please upgrade your C projects to the latest Windows 10 SDK. If you have a hard dependency on 8.1, you can download it from the Windows SDK archive. So download and install the SDK from here.

Visual Studio Professional 2013

Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows Desktop

This comes with the Windows 8.1 SDK included.

Visual Studio Professional 2012

Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows Desktop

This comes with the Windows 8.0 SDK included.

Visual C++ 10 (VS2010) Professional

This comes with the Windows 7 SDK, so you should be all set out of the box.

Visual C++ 10 (VS2010) Express

Older versions

Some of the older version are no longer supported, further information is available at Obsolete Build Caveats and Tips [en-US] under the Windows SDK article.

Windows 8 SDK (Official)

Features that depend on this SDK include:

  • Metro Firefox front end
  • Gamepad API support

You can download the SDK from the Microsoft Download Center [web setup].

Windows 7 SDK

Features that depend on this SDK include:

  • Windows 7 taskbar previews
  • Windows 7 download taskbar progress
  • Windows 7 jump lists

You can download the SDK (v7.0 [web setup or ISO image] or unsupported v7.1 [web setup or ISO image]) from the Microsoft Download Center. Note that if you're running a 64 bit version of Windows you may require the 'AMD' version of the SDK even if you have an Intel processor, and you may need to deselect the documentation component in the installer in order to avoid an installation error. (This was certainly the case for 64 bit Windows 7 on a late 2008 MacBook Pro.)

Warning: Due to a bug in Windows 7 SDK, if you get 'SDKSETUP encountered an error: Expecting path %SystemRoot% to represent a valid system volume' error you may require to set environmental variable %windir% to something like 'C:Windows' instead of '%SystemRoot%'.

Older SDKs

These are no longer supported, further information is available at Obsolete Build Caveats and Tips [en-US] under the Windows SDK article.

Troubleshooting

Help! I know I have the correct SDK, but configure.in's still failing!

Try the following things in order:

  1. Run the Windows SDK Configuration Tool (if available) and make sure the right SDK is selected.
  2. Restart the msys console.
  3. Delete your entire object directory and start over.
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Get the tools you need to build applications for Microsoft HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets. There is no separate SDK for Windows Mixed Reality development; you'll use Visual Studio with the Windows 10 SDK.

Don't have a mixed reality device? You can install the HoloLens emulator to test some functionality of mixed reality apps without a HoloLens. You can also use the Windows Mixed Reality simulator to test your mixed reality apps for immersive headsets. If you're using Unity, you can use Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK)'s input simulation to test various types of input interactions such as hand-tracking and eye-tracking input.

We recommend installing the Unity game engine as the easiest way to get started creating mixed reality apps. However, you can also build against DirectX if you'd like to use a custom engine.

Tip

Bookmark this page and check it regularly to keep up-to-date on the most recent version of each tool recommended for mixed reality development.


Installation checklist

ToolNotes

Windows 10 (Manual install link)
Install the most recent version of Windows 10 so your PC's operating system matches the platform for which you're building mixed reality applications.
Installing Windows 10
You can install the most recent version of Windows 10 via Windows Update in Settings or by creating installation media, using the link in the left column.
See current release notes for information about the newest mixed reality features available with each release of Windows 10. Enable developer mode on your PC at Settings > Update & Security > For developers.
Note for enterprise and corporate-managed PCs
If your PC is managed by an your organization's IT department, you might need to contact them in order to update.
'N' versions of Windows
Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets are not supported on 'N' versions of Windows.

Visual Studio 2019 (16.8 or higher) (Install link)
Fully-featured integrated development environment (IDE) for Windows and more. You'll use Visual Studio to write code, debug, test, and deploy.
Installing Visual Studio 2019
Be sure you install the following workloads:
● Desktop development with C++
● Universal Windows Platform (UWP) development
Within the UWP workload, be sure to check the following optional component if you'll be developing for HoloLens:
● USB Device Connectivity
Note about Unity
Unless you're intentionally trying to install a newer (non-LTS) version of Unity for a specific purpose, we recommend not installing the Unity workload as part of Visual Studio installation, and instead install the Unity 2019 LTS stream as noted below.
Known issues
There are some known issues with debugging mixed reality apps in Visual Studio 2019 version 16.0. Please ensure that you update to Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 or higher.

Windows 10 SDK (10.0.18362.0) (Manual install link)
Provides the latest headers, libraries, metadata, and tools for building Windows 10 apps on HoloLens 2.
To build HoloLens 2 apps, you must install the Windows SDK, build 18362 or later.
If you are only developing applications for desktop Windows Mixed Reality headsets or HoloLens (1st gen), you can use the Windows SDK installed by Visual Studio 2017.

HoloLens 2 Emulator (Windows Holographic, version 20H2 December 2020 Update) (Install link: 10.0.19041.1131)
HoloLens (1st gen) Emulator (Install link: 10.0.17763.134)
The emulator lets you run applications on a HoloLens virtual machine image without a physical HoloLens.
See Using the HoloLens emulator for more information on getting started with the emulator.
Your system must support Hyper-V for the emulator installation to succeed. Reference the System Requirements section below for details.
Note on HoloLens (1st gen) Emulator
Visual Studio 2017 is required to successfully complete the installation. If you're installing the HoloLens (1st gen) emulator with Visual Studio 2019 you need to deselect the VS templates and install them from the Visual Studio Marketplace.

Choose your engine

Now that you have your Windows 10, Visual Studio, and Windows 10 SDK ready to go, let's choose an engine to build on.


1. Download the latest version

We recommend the Unity LTS (Long Term Support) stream as the best version to use when starting new projects, updating to its latest revision to pick up the latest stable fixes.

  • The current recommendation is to use Unity 2019, which is the LTS build required for MRTK v2 below.
  • If you need to use a different version of Unity for specific reasons, Unity supports side-by-side installs of different versions.

2. Import Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK)

Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK) is an open-source, cross-platform development kit for mixed reality applications. MRTK provides a cross-platform input system, foundational components, and common building blocks for spatial interactions. The toolkit is intended to accelerate the development of applications targeting Microsoft HoloLens, Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets, and the OpenVR platform.

For installation, we recommend completing the Getting Started section of our curated Unity development journey. If you're already following the Unity development journey, finish up the rest of the setup steps listed below and continue on to the HoloLens 2 Getting Started tutorials.

Important

Note that installation instructions are targeted for the latest stable combination of MRTK and Unity releases, which are MRTK 2.4.0 and Unity 2019.3.15.

Note

If you don't want to use MRTK for Unity, you'll need to script all interactions and behaviors yourself.

Other tools [optional]

  • Mixed Reality Companion Kit (GitHub) - code bits and components that might not run directly on HoloLens or immersive (VR) headsets, but instead pair with them to build experiences targeting Windows Mixed Reality.
  • Mixed Reality Toolkit - Common (GitHub) - a collection of shared scripts and components.

3. Set up your PC for Mixed Reality development

The Windows 10 SDK works best on the Windows 10 operating system. This SDK is also supported on Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2. Note that not all tools are supported on older operating systems.

Note

You can develop and deploy your apps for HoloLens, VR immersive headsets, or both. Make sure you fulfill the requirements below depending on your needs.

For HoloLens development

When setting up your development PC for HoloLens development, please make sure it meets the system requirements for both Unity and Visual Studio. If you want to run your app on a HoloLens device, you need to follow the Windows Device Portal setup instructions. If you plan on using the HoloLens emulator, you'll want to make sure your PC meets the HoloLens emulator system requirements as well.

To get started with the HoloLens emulator, see Using the HoloLens emulator.

If you plan to develop for both HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets, use the system recommendations and requirements in the section below.

HoloLens troubleshooting

Download
Setting Developer Mode is grayed out

If you're running into issues enabling Developer Mode on your device you might not be the device owner. In multi-user mode, the person who uses the device first is the device owner - any subsequent users won't have the required permissions to enable Developer Mode or other configuration changes. However, there is an exception where the first user may not be the device owner in an Autopilot environment, which is detailed in the HoloLens security documentation.

Possible solutions include:

  • Having the device owner turn Developer Mode on before passing the device to other users or developers
  • Suggesting that your IT/MDM Admin enables CSP Policy ApplicationManagement/AllowDeveloperUnlock for the specific device or a developer device group.
    • This policy can be set by Provisioning Packages or via MDM for HoloLens devices
  • Using the Advanced Recovery Companion (ARC)

Note

You can learn more about device management in the HoloLens device management overview.

Download Windows 8.1 Sdk Lite

I can't deploy over USB

Windows Sdk 8.1 Download

If you're not able to deploy an application directly over USB, make sure you've met all the installation requirements listed above and follow our step-by-step tutorial.

Immersive (VR) headset requirements

Note

The following guidelines are the current minimum and recommended specs for your immersive (VR) headset development PC, and are updated regularly.

Warning

Do not confuse this with the minimum PC hardware compatibility guidelines, which outlines the consumer PC specs to which you should target your immersive (VR) headset app or game.

If you're using a Reverb G2 headset, download the Microsoft-Valve OpenXR plugin (TODO: // Need link).

If your immersive headset development PC does not have full-sized HDMI and/or USB 3.0 ports, you'll need adapters to connect your headset.

There are currently known issues with some hardware configurations, particularly notebooks that have hybrid graphics.

Minimum Recommended
ProcessorNotebook: Intel Mobile Core i5 7th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading Desktop: Intel Desktop i5 6th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading OR AMD FX4350 4.2Ghz Quad-Core equivalentDesktop: Intel Desktop i7 6th generation (6 Core) OR AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6 Core, 12 threads)
GPUNotebook: NVIDIA GTX 965M, AMD RX 460M (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU Desktop: NVIDIA GTX 960/1050, AMD Radeon RX 460 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPUDesktop: NVIDIA GTX 980/1060, AMD Radeon RX 480 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU
GPU driver WDDM version WDDM 2.2 driver
Thermal Design Power 15W or greater
Graphics display ports 1x available graphics display port for headset (HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz headsets, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 90Hz headsets)
Display resolution Resolution: SVGA (800x600) or greater Bit depth: 32 bits of color per pixel
Memory 8 GB of RAM or greater 16 GB of RAM or greater
Storage >10 GB additional free space
USB Ports 1x available USB port for headset (USB 3.0 Type-A) Note: USB must supply a minimum of 900mA
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 (for accessory connectivity)

If you're new to MRTK development with Unity, we recommend following our curated Unity development journey:

Next Development Checkpoint

If you're following the Unity development checkpoint journey we've laid out, your next task is to work through our HoloLens 2 tutorial series.

Windows sdk 8.1 download iso

You can always go back to the Unity development checkpoints at any time.

1. Download the latest version

We recommend installing Unreal Engine version 4.25 or later to take full advantage of built-in HoloLens support.

2. Import Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK)

Mixed Reality Toolkit (MRTK) is an open-source, cross-platform development kit for mixed reality applications. MRTK provides a cross-platform input system, foundational components, and common building blocks for spatial interactions. The toolkit is intended to accelerate the development of applications targeting Microsoft HoloLens, Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets, and the OpenVR platform.

For installation, we recommend completing the Getting Started section of our curated Unreal development journey. If you're already following the Unreal development journey, finish up the rest of the setup steps listed below and continue on to the HoloLens 2 Getting Started tutorials.

Note

If you don't want to use MRTK for Unreal, you'll need to script all interactions and behaviors yourself.

Other tools [optional]

  • Mixed Reality Companion Kit (GitHub) - code bits and components that might not run directly on HoloLens or immersive (VR) headsets, but instead pair with them to build experiences targeting Windows Mixed Reality.
  • Mixed Reality Toolkit - Co mmon (GitHub) - a collection of shared scripts and components.

3. Set up your PC for mixed reality development

The Windows 10 SDK works best on the Windows 10 operating system. This SDK is also supported on Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2. Note that not all tools are supported on older operating systems.

Note

You can develop and deploy your apps for HoloLens, VR immersive headsets, or both. Make sure you fulfill the requirements below depending on your needs.

For HoloLens development

When setting up your development PC for HoloLens development, please make sure you meet the system requirements for Unreal and and Visual Studio. If you want to run your app on a HoloLens device, you need to follow the Windows Device Portal setup instructions. If you plan on using the HoloLens emulator, you'll want to make sure your PC meets the HoloLens emulator system requirements as well.

If you plan to develop for both HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets, use the system recommendations and requirements in the section below.

HoloLens troubleshooting

Setting Developer Mode is grayed out

If you're running into issues enabling Developer Mode on your device you might not be the device owner. In multi-user mode, the person who uses the device first is the device owner - any subsequent users won't have the required permissions to enable Developer Mode or other configuration changes. However, there is an exception where the first user may not be the device owner in an Autopilot environment, which is detailed in the HoloLens security documentation.

Possible solutions include:

  • Having the device owner turn Developer Mode on before passing the device to other users or developers
  • Suggesting that your IT/MDM Admin enables CSP Policy ApplicationManagement/AllowDeveloperUnlock for the specific device or a developer device group.
    • This policy can be set by Provisioning Packages or via MDM for HoloLens devices
  • Using the Advanced Recovery Companion (ARC)

Note

You can learn more about device management in the HoloLens device management overview.

I can't deploy over USB

If you're not able to deploy an application directly over USB, make sure you've met all the installation requirements listed above and follow our step-by-step tutorial.

Immersive (VR) headset requirements

Note

The following guidelines are the current minimum and recommended specs for your immersive (VR) headset development PC, and are updated regularly.

Warning

Do not confuse this with the minimum PC hardware compatibility guidelines, which outlines the consumer PC specs to which you should target your immersive (VR) headset app or game.

If you're using a Reverb G2 headset, download the Microsoft-Valve OpenXR plugin (TODO: // Need link).

If your immersive headset development PC does not have full-sized HDMI and/or USB 3.0 ports, you'll need adapters to connect your headset.

There are currently known issues with some hardware configurations, particularly notebooks that have hybrid graphics.

Minimum Recommended
ProcessorNotebook: Intel Mobile Core i5 7th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading Desktop: Intel Desktop i5 6th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading OR AMD FX4350 4.2Ghz Quad-Core equivalentDesktop: Intel Desktop i7 6th generation (6 Core) OR AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6 Core, 12 threads)
GPUNotebook: NVIDIA GTX 965M, AMD RX 460M (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU Desktop: NVIDIA GTX 960/1050, AMD Radeon RX 460 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPUDesktop: NVIDIA GTX 980/1060, AMD Radeon RX 480 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU
GPU driver WDDM version WDDM 2.2 driver
Thermal Design Power 15W or greater
Graphics display ports 1x available graphics display port for headset (HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz headsets, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 90Hz headsets)
Display resolution Resolution: SVGA (800x600) or greater Bit depth: 32 bits of color per pixel
Memory 8 GB of RAM or greater 16 GB of RAM or greater
Storage >10 GB additional free space
USB Ports 1x available USB port for headset (USB 3.0 Type-A) Note: USB must supply a minimum of 900mA
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 (for accessory connectivity)

If you're new to MRTK development with Unreal, we recommend following our curated Unreal development journey:

Next Development Checkpoint

If you're following the Unreal development checkpoint journey we've laid out, your next task is to work through our HoloLens 2 tutorial series.

Windows Sdk 8.1 Download Iso

You can always go back to the Unreal development checkpoints at any time.

Native OpenXR development doesn't have an engine for you to download. You can find everything you need to begin development in the Getting started with OpenXR document.

1. Set up your PC for mixed reality development

The Windows 10 SDK works best on the Windows 10 operating system. This SDK is also supported on Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2. Note that not all tools are supported on older operating systems.

For HoloLens development

When setting up your development PC for HoloLens development, please make sure you meet the system requirements for Visual Studio. If you want to run your app on a HoloLens device, you need to follow the Windows Device Portal setup instructions. If you plan on using the HoloLens emulator, you'll want to make sure your PC meets the HoloLens emulator system requirements as well.

If you plan to develop for both HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality immersive (VR) headsets, use the system recommendations and requirements in the section below.

Note

You can develop and deploy your apps for HoloLens, VR immersive headsets, or both. Make sure you fulfill the requirements below depending on your needs.

HoloLens troubleshooting

Setting Developer Mode is grayed out

Windows Sdk 8.1 Download Free

If you're running into issues enabling Developer Mode on your device you might not be the device owner. In multi-user mode, the person who uses the device first is the device owner - any subsequent users won't have the required permissions to enable Developer Mode or other configuration changes. However, there is an exception where the first user may not be the device owner in an Autopilot environment, which is detailed in the HoloLens security documentation.

Possible solutions include:

  • Having the device owner turn Developer Mode on before passing the device to other users or developers
  • Suggesting that your IT/MDM Admin enables CSP Policy ApplicationManagement/AllowDeveloperUnlock for the specific device or a developer device group.
    • This policy can be set by Provisioning Packages or via MDM for HoloLens devices
  • Using the Advanced Recovery Companion (ARC)

Note

You can learn more about device management in the HoloLens device management overview.

Immersive (VR) headset requirements

Note

The following guidelines are the current minimum and recommended specs for your immersive (VR) headset development PC/adobe-premiere-pro-serial-key.html. , and are updated regularly.

Warning

Do not confuse this with the minimum PC hardware compatibility guidelines, which outlines the consumer PC specs to which you should target your immersive (VR) headset app or game.

If your immersive headset development PC does not have full-sized HDMI and/or USB 3.0 ports, you'll need adapters to connect your headset.

There are currently known issues with some hardware configurations, particularly notebooks that have hybrid graphics.

Minimum Recommended
ProcessorNotebook: Intel Mobile Core i5 7th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading Desktop: Intel Desktop i5 6th generation CPU, Dual-Core with Hyper Threading OR AMD FX4350 4.2Ghz Quad-Core equivalentDesktop: Intel Desktop i7 6th generation (6 Core) OR AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (6 Core, 12 threads)
GPUNotebook: NVIDIA GTX 965M, AMD RX 460M (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU Desktop: NVIDIA GTX 960/1050, AMD Radeon RX 460 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPUDesktop: NVIDIA GTX 980/1060, AMD Radeon RX 480 (2GB) equivalent or greater DX12 capable GPU
GPU driver WDDM version WDDM 2.2 driver
Thermal Design Power 15W or greater
Graphics display ports 1x available graphics display port for headset (HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz headsets, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 90Hz headsets)
Display resolution Resolution: SVGA (800x600) or greater Bit depth: 32 bits of color per pixel
Memory 8 GB of RAM or greater 16 GB of RAM or greater
Storage >10 GB additional free space
USB Ports 1x available USB port for headset (USB 3.0 Type-A) Note: USB must supply a minimum of 900mA
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 (for accessory connectivity)

If you're new to Native development with MRTK, we recommend following our curated Native development journey:

Next Development Checkpoint

If you're following the Native development checkpoint journey we've laid out, your next task is to configure your development environment for HoloLens 2.

You can always go back to the Native development checkpoints at any time.