If you are a developer working with Microsoft Windows SDK, you may have come across the error message „microsoft.windows.sdk.contracts.targets must use packagereference”. This error can be frustrating, but understanding what it means and how to fix it can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
What is microsoft.windows.sdk.contracts.targets?
First, let`s break down the error message. „microsoft.windows.sdk.contracts.targets” refers to a file that is part of the Windows SDK. This file is used to reference the Windows Runtime (WinRT) API contracts, which define the API surface of Windows.
What is packagereference?
„Packagereference” refers to a feature of NuGet, a package manager for .NET programming languages. Rather than referencing a binary file directly, packagereference allows you to reference a package that contains the necessary binary file(s) and any dependencies. This makes it easier to manage dependencies and versioning, as well as improving portability and reproducibility.
Why is this error occurring?
The error message is telling you that you are attempting to reference the WinRT API contracts file directly, rather than through a packagereference. This is not recommended, as it can lead to issues with dependencies and versioning.
How to fix the error
To fix the error, you need to update your project to use packagereference instead of referencing the WinRT API contracts file directly. Here`s how:
1. Open your project file in a text editor (such as Visual Studio Code).
2. Find the line that references „microsoft.windows.sdk.contracts.targets”.
3. Replace that line with the following code:
„`
10.0.19041.1
„`
Note that the version number may vary depending on which version of the Windows SDK you are using.
4. Save the file and reload your project in Visual Studio.
That`s it! Your project should now be updated to use packagereference for the WinRT API contracts file.
In conclusion
By updating your project to use packagereference for the WinRT API contracts file, you can avoid issues with dependencies and versioning, as well as improve portability and reproducibility. While the error message „microsoft.windows.sdk.contracts.targets must use packagereference” can be frustrating, following the steps above should help you get back to coding quickly and efficiently.