File 'Windows.props' not found

Question

I have install Windows 8.1 and after that I install Visual Studio Express 2013, which includes Update 2 RC.So when I run any application then it gives me the error

Answer 1

Some basic checks you need to perform to get anywhere close to a resolution.

The Windows.props file is a build file that's used by MSBuild.exe when it builds a Windows Phone app. The normal install path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Phone Kits\8.1\References\CommonConfiguration\Neutral\Windows.props. Use Windows Explorer to check if the file is present.

Then there is a line in the main .targets file that includes it. It tries to locate the file in the $(TargetPlatformWinMDLocation) directory. You can see the value of this macro by increasing the build verbosity. Tools + Options, Projects and Solutions, Build and Run. Change the "MSBuild project build output verbosity" setting to Detailed. Use Build + Rebuild on your project. Scroll back the Output window and locate the lines that resemble this:

1>TargetPlatformSdkMetadataLocation = C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Phone Kits\8.1\References\CommonConfiguration\Neutral
1>TargetPlatformSdkPath = C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Phone Kits\8.1\
1>TargetPlatformSdkRootOverride = 
1>TargetPlatformVersion = 8.1
1>TargetPlatformWinMDLocation = C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Phone Kits\8.1\References\CommonConfiguration\Neutral

Tell us if you see anything different.

This path is read from the registry. Startup Regedit.exe and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SDKs\WindowsPhone\v8.1\Install Path as well as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SDKs\WindowsPhoneApp\v8.1\Install Path.
Verify that you see a value listed in those keys with the name "Install Path" and that it contains the value "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\WindowsPhoneApp\v8.1\".

Answer 2

have you checked for the existence of a SYSTEM level environment variable called windowsSDKDir? and try removing it?(make a note of its value first in case you need to re-instate it at some point). For some this appears to have been causing the error. It is not clear at this stage what creates this.

Answer 3

The issue seems to be bound to the VS2013 Update4. I had no issues before, but after this, I needed to Install the Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 8.1 as Ludwo suggested.

Answer 4

In my case I had to install Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows 8.1 (Not Windows Phone SDK!) to fix it. I have VS2013 update 4

Answer 5

I used function 'Repair' in control panel -> programs and functions -> Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 8.1 ->Change and solved this problem.

Answer 6

Extracts from msdn discussion:

check for the existence of a SYSTEM level environment variable called windowsSDKDir and try removing it.

For this Follow these steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select System.
In the System dialog click on "Advanced system settings" then click "Environment Variables" on the advanced tab.
Then look for the environment variable I mentioned
try removing it

If this not works for you ,you must re-install, Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows 8.1 this must solve your problem.