Visual Studio can't run .lib file

Question

I downloaded an open source project from the internet written in c++,but when I try debugging it it shows up an error saying \"Unable to start program....Is not a valid Win32 ap

Answer 1

Static Library (.lib) files are not applications (.exe). If you want to use it, you will need to make an application and link the library to it.

If, by chance, this project comes with a testbed or demo project, you can switch it to be the "StartUp Project" by right-clicking on the project and selecting "Set as StartUp Project"