Move nmake.exe and nmake.err to a folder included in your system’s PATH environment variable, such as C:\WINDOWS\system32 or your language's bin directory (e.g., C:\Perl\bin ). Method 2: Microsoft Visual C++ Express / SDK
Historically, Microsoft provided a standalone version (NMake 1.5) as a patch for older Visual C++ versions.
To download and install for Windows XP, the most reliable methods involve obtaining it as part of a legacy Microsoft development package or using a standalone archive intended for compatibility with older systems. Direct Download & Installation
: You can download nmake15.exe directly from the Microsoft FTP servers or legacy download mirrors. Installation Steps :
For a more modern version compatible with Windows XP (specifically versions like or 9.0 ), you should install the corresponding development kit:
: Once installed, you can typically find the executable at: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio [Version]\VC\bin\nmake.exe . Alternative: GNU Make for Windows
Extract the three resulting files: nmake.exe , nmake.err , and readme.txt .
: Despite the name, this SDK contains build tools like nmake.exe that function on Windows XP.