Microsoft.CompactFramework.CSharp.targets was not found while opening projects

Question

I tried to create a smart device project in Visual Studio 2008.

Target Platform: Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC SDK.

.NET Compact Framework version: .NET Compact Framework 3.5

But I get the following error:

Answer 1

It is poorly documented.

Both .NET Compact Framework Redistributable and Power Toys must be installed for all necessary files (such as MSBuild targets files) to be available for compilation.

Answer 2

For all those who end up here as a result of the Windows 10 "anniversary update" note that the file Microsoft.Compactframework.CSharp.Targets can be found in the C:\Windows.old\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5 directory and copied back to where it belongs!

(Same with Microsoft.CompactFramework.Common.targets, Microsoft.CompactFramework.VisualBasic.targets)

Answer 3

It also happened to me, and more than just once, with two projects for Visual Studio 2008 Professional.

It's quite easy for me to solve this problem: just re-install (I use the "Repair" option that seems to work great) the Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5. You can find this tool here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13442

I think that sometimes, maybe after some Windows/.NET framework automatic updates, this problem can still occur. But the solution is quite easy in this case, and there is no need to edit the .vbproj/.csproj file!

Answer 4

I met the same mistake . Solution vs2008 repair.