/SUBSYSTEM   (Specify Subsystem)

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Syntax

/SUBSYSTEM:{CONSOLE|WINDOWS|NATIVE|POSIX|WINDOWSCE}[,major[.minor]]

This option tells the operating system how to run the .EXE file. The subsystem is specified as follows:

  • The CONSOLE subsystem is for a Win32 character-mode application. Console applications are given a console by the operating system. If main or wmain is defined, CONSOLE is the default.

  • The WINDOWS subsystem applies to an application that does not require a console, probably because it creates its own windows for interaction with the user. Win32s operating systems can only run WINDOWS applications. If WinMain or wWinMain is defined, WINDOWS is the default.

  • The NATIVE subsystem applies device drivers for Windows NT.

  • The POSIX subsystem creates an application that runs with the POSIX subsystem in Windows NT.

The optional major and minor version numbers specify the minimum required version of the subsystem. The arguments are decimal numbers in the range 0 through 65,535. The default is version 4.00 for CONSOLE, WINDOWS, and NATIVE; and version 19.90 for POSIX.

The choice of subsystem affects the default starting address for the program. For more information, see the Entry-Point Symbol (/ENTRY:function) option.