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Working with Resource Files

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Warning

This section applies to Win32-based desktop applications written in C++. For information about resources in Windows Store apps written in C++, see Defining App Resources.

For information on adding resources to C++/CLI projects, please see Resources in Applications in the .NET Framework Developer's Guide.

Resources can be composed of a wide range of elements, including interface elements that provide information to the user (for example a bitmap, icon, or cursor); custom resources that contain data an application needs; version resources that are used by setup APIs; and menu and dialog box resources.

You can add new resources to your project and modify those resources using the appropriate resource editor. Most Visual C++ wizards will automatically generate an .rc file for your project.

For information on adding resources to managed projects, please see Resources in Applications in the .NET Framework Developer's Guide. For information on manually adding resource files to managed projects, accessing resources, displaying static resources, and assigning resources strings to properties, see Walkthrough: Localizing Windows Forms and Walkthrough: Using Resources for Localization with ASP.NET.

In This Section

  • Resource Files
    Describes resource files and how they are used in Win32-based applications. Also provides links to topics that describe how to use resource files.

  • Symbols: Resource Identifiers
    Describes symbols and provides information on using the Resource Symbols dialog box to manage symbols in your projects.

  • Resource Editors
    Describes the resource editors provided in Visual Studio, the types of resources you can modify with each editor, and provides links to detailed information on using each editor.

  • Resources
    A section of the Windows SDK that provides general information on resources you can add to Win32-based applications.

  • Visual C++
    Provides links into the Visual C++ documentation.

  • Introducing Visual Studio
    Describes the complete set of development tools that all use the same integrated development environment (IDE), allowing them to share tools and facilitates in the creation of mixed-language solutions.

  • Product Support and Accessibility
    Provides links to information on using the documentation set, contacting product support, and employing accessibility features.