Visual Studio Debugger Error: Unable to Start Program Specified File Cannot Be Found

Visual Studio debugger error: Unable to start program Specified file cannot be found

Guessing from the information I have, you're not actually compiling the program, but trying to run it. That is, ALL_BUILD is set as your startup project. (It should be in a bold font, unlike the other projects in your solution) If you then try to run/debug, you will get the error you describe, because there is simply nothing to run.

The project is most likely generated via CMAKE and included in your Visual Studio solution. Set any of the projects that do generate a .exe as the startup project (by right-clicking on the project and selecting "set as startup project") and you will most likely will be able to start those from within Visual Studio.

Visual Studio: Unable to start program, the system cannot find the file specified visual studio error?

I open a folder from file->new->existing project.

As far as I'm concerned you should open a .sln file instead of a folder.

You could only run the .sln file (Visual Studio Solution) not a .cpp file.

C++ error: Unable to start program 'filepath.exe' The system cannot find the file specified

Just saw the problem in your code which is actually giving you an error. Your code is as follows:

    #include<iostream>
    using namespace std;
    int main() {
        cout << "Hello StackOverFlow";
        return 0;
    }

If you notice closely, you have not left a space in between #include<iostream> which is giving you a run time error and states that the specified file cannot be found. If you left space as in:

     #include <iostream>
     using namespace std;
     int main() {
         cout << "Hello StackOverFlow";
         return 0;
     }

It will not give you an error. I hope this helps you overcome the issue. Glad to help you Phillips! :)

The system cannot find the file specified while programming C

It seems that the whole issue was down to the C file not actually being inside the project itself. This is quickly solved by looking at where the file is located by looking at the properties window, then locating the file, followed by copying the file and pasting it inside the "Solution Explorer" window.

Now, it actually shows me the error checks and what errors the code has. When I now create a "Hello World" program, it opens a separate window and prints out "Hello World!".

I must've thought that since I had the project open, and then opening a file from my desktop, that it could run perfectly fine. Just need to keep this in mind next time.

Visual Studio 2017 (version 15.7.3) - C#: the system cannot find the file specified

TL;DR No exact cause was determined for this specific issue. The nuclear option of reinstalling Visual Studio remedied this issue. Below are some possible solutions to try with no guarantee any will work.

Most issues similar to this one that I've experienced a reinstall would remedy the issue.

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Permissions

1. Run Visual Studio as administrator.
2. Verify that the Visual Studio process is running as the appropriate user by using Task Manager.
3. Verify that you're logged into the correct user within Visual Studio itself. Can try logging in and out.

Visual Studio Specific

1. Close and re-open Visual Studio.
2. Determine if the issue is specific to all installed versions of Visual Studio or just the current Visual Studio version. Attempt to debug the project from multiple versions of Visual Studio. This will not solve the issue, but may help to narrow the overall scope of the issue.
3. If debugging options in "Tools->Options->Debugging" have been modified check over the settings.
4. Sometimes Visual Studio itself can get into a funky state so attempt to clear its various caches. Here is an example of how to clear the component cache. Github - Clear Visual Studio Component Cache
5. Attempt a repair on the Visual Studio install by going to the Control Panel's Program and Features view right click the Visual Studio install and select "Change" in the context menu. The Visual Studio installer will open. Use the "Repair" utility. Alternatively, if the thought is it is a specific installed component failing attempt to reinstall the specific component using the "Modify" option.
6. At this point it may just be best to uninstall Visual Studio completely and reinstall it.

Project Specific

1. Instead of performing a rebuild, perform a clean then a build.
2. Additionally, if the step above does not give positive results use File Explorer to review what files persist after a clean operation. It may be that the clean operation didn't clean out all files. Such as those manually copied into the bin.
3. Attempt to run the project without using the debugger. This can be done from within Visual Studio or File Explorer. In Visual Studio (2010/2012/2013/2015/2017) the default hot key is currently "Ctrl + F5". Otherwise, in the toolbar at the top of VS use the select "Debug -> Start Without Debugging". Through File Explorer navigate to the projects bin directory run the process from there by double clicking. If it runs properly from any of these scenarios and not with the debugger attached it is something to do with the debugger. It may at this point just be easiest to reinstall VS.
4. If (and only if) you're familiar with the project (.csproj) and solution (.sln) layouts review them with a text editor. Make any necessary modifications.

Other

1. Verify path length does not exceed Windows max path length of 260 characters. MSDN - Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces
2. Check Windows Event Logs.
3. Use the command line utilities that come with Visual Studio and their varying switch options to attempt to diagnose the issue. MSDN - /Log (devenv.exe)

Android, Xamarin: Unable to start program The system cannot find the file specified

This looks like a promising solution for this issue but somehow it didnt work for me, so I tried to repair my Visual Studio 17 and it worked.

For repairing visual studio you have to download visual studio installer from official microsoft website

If VS is already installed in your machine you'll get a screen with options :- Update, Launch and more.

select more and click repair.

You have to wait until VS finishes repairing. Hope you'll get rid of this annoying issue.

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