# Generate a Visual Studio Solution for Windows

> Learn how to create a Visual Studio solution for Windows from Unity.

Follow these instructions to create a Visual Studio solution for Windows from Unity.

The **Create Visual Studio Solution** Build Setting makes Unity generate a Visual Studio [solution](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/ide/solutions-and-projects-in-visual-studio?view=vs-2019#solutions) instead of building a Player.

## Prerequisites

* You must use the Windows build target.
* If you use the [IL2CPP](/engine/6000.6/manual/scripting/compilation-and-code-reload/script-compilation/backends/il2cpp.md) scripting back-end, you must build on a Windows machine.

## Generate the solution

> **Warning:**
>
> Make sure you save and back up any changes you make in Visual Studio before you rebuild your Unity project. Unity overwrites unsaved changes during the build process, except for the `AppxManifest.xml` file.

To create a Visual Studio Solution:

1. Go to **File** > **Build Profiles**.
2. From the list of platforms in the **Platforms** panel, select **Windows** or [create a build profile](/engine/6000.6/manual/building-and-publishing/build-settings/create-build-profile.md) for the **Windows** platform.
3. In the **Platform Settings (Windows)** section, enable **Create Visual Studio Solution**.
4. Select **Build** to generate the solution.

By default, Unity stores the Visual Studio solution file you generate in the same directory as your built project.

For information about the projects included in your generated solution and the available build configurations, refer to [Visual Studio solution contents and configurations for Windows](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/visual-studioprojectgeneration/concept.md).

## Additional resources

* [Unity debugging guide for Windows](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/debugging.md)
* [Windows integrity control](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/low-integrity.md)
* [IL2CPP Scripting Backend](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/player-il2cppscripting-backend.md)
* [Optimize performance using DirectStorage on Windows](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/directstorage.md)
* [Troubleshoot D3D12 GPU crashes on Windows](/engine/6000.6/manual/platform-specific/windows/develop/troubleshoot-gpu-crash.md)