"fatal error U1087: cannot have : and :: dependents for same target"

Question

Using the Microsoft Driver Development Kit (DDK), this error plagued me as I attempted even to build the default drivers included with the DDK.

I had a some difficulty in tracking down the cause and solution through Google. In an effort to aid others who may experience this same problem, I am documenting it here.

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Error: "fatal error U1087: cannot have : and :: dependents for same target"

Solution: Make sure that the directory you are building in contains no spaces.

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There may be other causes and solutions to this error, so please post below if you have others. This is the solution that worked immediately for me.

Answer 1

Tthe solution to this problem is to ensure that there are no spaces in the build directory.