Build Error on Windows 11 arm64

[dlevy-msft-sql]

Describe the bug

I'm having some issues, likely related to me having a windows arm64 machine.

When I run python -m pytest -v it fails with:

================================================================================================================ FAILURES ================================================================================================================= 
____________________________________________________________________________________________ TestDependencyFiles.test_python_extension_exists _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

self = <test_000_dependencies.TestDependencyFiles object at 0x000001AAE6781A90>

    def test_python_extension_exists(self):
        """Test that the Python extension module exists."""
        extension_path = dependency_tester.get_expected_python_extension()

>       assert extension_path.exists(), \
            f"Python extension module not found: {extension_path}"
E       AssertionError: Python extension module not found: C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\ddbc_bindings.cp313-arm64.pyd
E       assert False
E        +  where False = exists()
E        +    where exists = WindowsPath('C:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python/ddbc_bindings.cp313-arm64.pyd').exists

tests\test_000_dependencies.py:218: AssertionError
========================================================================================================= short test summary info ========================================================================================================= 
FAILED tests/test_000_dependencies.py::TestDependencyFiles::test_python_extension_exists - AssertionError: Python extension module not found: C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\ddbc_bindings.cp313-arm64.pyd
================================================================================================ 1 failed, 163 passed, 2 skipped in 28.88s ================================================================================================ 

When I run the build.bat with no flags it doesn't create the files that the assert is looking for.

If I run build.bat with the arm64 flag it blows up:

[DIAGNOSTIC] Running CMake configure with: cmake -A ARM64 -DARCHITECTURE=arm64 "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind"
-- Building for: Visual Studio 17 2022
-- Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!
[DIAGNOSTIC] CMake configure exit code: 1
[ERROR] CMake configuration failed


CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:2 (project):
  Failed to run MSBuild command:

    C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Visual Studio/2022/BuildTools/MSBuild/Current/Bin/arm64/MSBuild.exe

  to get the value of VCTargetsPath:

    MSBuild version 17.14.14+a129329f1 for .NET Framework
    Build started 7/28/2025 1:42:57 PM.

    Project "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind\build\arm64\py313\CMakeFiles\3.31.6-msvc6\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" on node 1 (default targets).
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\MSBuild\Current\Bin\arm64\Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets(843,5): error : The BaseOutputPath/OutputPath property is not set for project 'VCTargetsPath.vcxproj'.  Please check to make sure that you have specified a valid combination of Configuration and Platform for this project.  Configuration='Debug'  Platform='ARM64'. You may be seeing this message because you are trying to build a project without a solution file, and have specified a non-default Configuration or Platform that doesn't exist for this project. [C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind\build\arm64\py313\CMakeFiles\3.31.6-msvc6\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj]
    Done Building Project "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind\build\arm64\py313\CMakeFiles\3.31.6-msvc6\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" (default targets) -- FAILED.

    Build FAILED.

    "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind\build\arm64\py313\CMakeFiles\3.31.6-msvc6\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" (default target) (1) ->
    (_CheckForInvalidConfigurationAndPlatform target) ->
      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\MSBuild\Current\Bin\arm64\Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets(843,5): error : The BaseOutputPath/OutputPath property is not set for project 'VCTargetsPath.vcxproj'.  Please check to make sure that you have specified a valid combination of Configuration and Platform for this project.  Configuration='Debug'  Platform='ARM64'. You may be seeing this message because you are trying to build a project without a solution file, and have specified a non-default Configuration or Platform that doesn't exist for this project. [C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\pybind\build\arm64\py313\CMakeFiles\3.31.6-msvc6\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj]

        0 Warning(s)
        1 Error(s)

    Time Elapsed 00:00:00.59


  Exit code: 1

To reproduce

Include a complete code listing (or project/solution) that we can run to reproduce the issue.

1. Run build.bat without any arguments then run python -m pytest -v to see the first failure.
2. Run build.bat arm64 then run python -m pytest -v to see the second failure.

Expected behavior

A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.

I expect pytest to run successfully.

Further technical details

Python version: 3.13.5
SQL Server version: SQL Server 2022
Operating system: Windows 11 / arm64

Additional context
Add any other context about the problem here.

[bewithgaurav]

@dlevy-msft-sql - just checking in again, are you still facing the same issue? If yes, could you please provide the full log from your command window? will take a look at it

[dlevy-msft-sql]

@bewithgaurav here's the CMAKE log from startup

[proc] Executing command: "C:\Program Files\CMake\bin\cmake.EXE" --version
[proc] Executing command: "C:\Program Files\CMake\bin\cmake.EXE" -E capabilities
[kit] Successfully loaded 6 kits from C:\Users\DLevy\AppData\Local\CMakeTools\cmake-tools-kits.json
[variant] Loaded new set of variants
[cmakefileapi-driver] Removing c:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python/CMakeCache.txt
[main] Configuring project: mssql-python 
[proc] Executing command: "C:\Program Files\CMake\bin\cmake.EXE" -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=Debug -DCMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS:BOOL=TRUE --no-warn-unused-cli -S C:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python/pybind -B c:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python
[cmake] Not searching for unused variables given on the command line.
[cmake] -- Building for: Visual Studio 17 2022
[cmake] -- Selecting Windows SDK version 10.0.26100.0 to target Windows 10.0.26200.
[cmake] CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:2 (project):
[cmake]   Failed to run MSBuild command:
[cmake] 
[cmake]     C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Visual Studio/2022/BuildTools/MSBuild/Current/Bin/arm64/MSBuild.exe
[cmake] 
[cmake]   to get the value of VCTargetsPath:
[cmake] 
[cmake]     MSBuild version 17.14.14+a129329f1 for .NET Framework
[cmake]     Build started 9/25/2025 2:24:21 PM.
[cmake]     
[cmake]     Project "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\CMakeFiles\4.1.0-rc4\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" on node 1 (default targets).
[cmake]     C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\MSBuild\Current\Bin\arm64\Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets(843,5): error : The BaseOutputPath/OutputPath property is not set for project 'VCTargetsPath.vcxproj'.  Please check to make sure that you have specified a valid combination of Configuration and Platform for this project.  Configuration='Debug'  Platform='ARM64'. You may be seeing this message because you are trying to build a project without a solution file, and have specified a non-default Configuration or Platform that doesn't exist for this project. [C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\CMakeFiles\4.1.0-rc4\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj]
[cmake]     Done Building Project "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\CMakeFiles\4.1.0-rc4\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" (default targets) -- FAILED.
[cmake]     
[cmake]     Build FAILED.
[cmake]     
[cmake]     "C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\CMakeFiles\4.1.0-rc4\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj" (default target) (1) ->
[cmake]     (_CheckForInvalidConfigurationAndPlatform target) -> 
[cmake]       C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\MSBuild\Current\Bin\arm64\Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets(843,5): error : The BaseOutputPath/OutputPath property is not set for project 'VCTargetsPath.vcxproj'.  Please check to make sure that you have specified a valid combination of Configuration and Platform for this project.  Configuration='Debug'  Platform='ARM64'. You may be seeing this message because you are trying to build a project without a solution file, and have specified a non-default Configuration or Platform that doesn't exist for this project. [C:\github\mssql-python\mssql_python\CMakeFiles\4.1.0-rc4\VCTargetsPath.vcxproj]
[cmake]     
[cmake]         0 Warning(s)
[cmake]         1 Error(s)
[cmake]     
[cmake]     Time Elapsed 00:00:00.19
[cmake]     
[cmake] 
[cmake]   Exit code: 1
[cmake] 
[cmake] 
[cmake] 
[cmake] -- Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!
[proc] The command: "C:\Program Files\CMake\bin\cmake.EXE" -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=Debug -DCMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS:BOOL=TRUE --no-warn-unused-cli -S C:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python/pybind -B c:/github/mssql-python/mssql_python exited with code: 1

[bewithgaurav]

Pasting notes from our discussion yesterday:

• Upon debugging a bit we got to understand this is a setup related issue since the ARM64 compiler wasn't installed in the system. Turns out we need to explicitly select components for ARM64 compilers during VS Build Tools Installation
• We uninstalled VS Build Tools completely from VS Installer, and installed things again - but selected some additional components, details below

Core Requirements (Must Have):

1. Desktop development with C++ (Workload)
   • This is the main workload - check this box

Individual Components (Must Have):

Under the "Individual components" tab, search for and install:

2. MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools (Latest)

   • This gives you the x64 compiler and tools

3. MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ ARM64/ARM64EC build tools (Latest)

   • This gives you the ARM64 cross-compiler

4. C++ CMake tools for Windows

   • Required for CMake integration

5. Windows 11 SDK (10.0.26100.0 or latest)

   • Provides Windows headers and libraries

Optional but Recommended:

6. C++ ATL for latest v143 build tools (x86 & x64)

   • Sometimes needed for certain projects

7. C++ ATL for latest v143 build tools (ARM64/ARM64EC)

   • ARM64 version of ATL

Upon installation, a simple build.bat arm64 worked. We'll try and incorporate this into documentation for BuildGuide.MD (PR #156 )

Marking this as not a bug, and closing.

cc: @dlevy-msft-sql