How to build zlib 1.2.3 using Visual Studio 2008 for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows

In 3 easy steps

1. Download already working zlib123.zip which contains the source code and VC2008 projects that I use.
2. With Visual Studio 2008 open appropriate SLN file in zlib123/projects/visualc-x86 for 32-bit target or zlib123/projects/visualc-x64 for 64-bit target.
3. Pick the output type (DLL, LIB, with or without ASM, etc) and build it

In 6 steps if you want to use existing zlib123 source

1. Assuming you have zlib 123 or download zlib 1.2.3 source from SourceForge.net: PNG reference library or any other open source repository
2. Fix the Win32 ASM code to fix a bug:

  Error you get if you try to build the ASM code:

    inffas32.asm(647) : error A2070: invalid instruction operands
    inffas32.asm(649) : error A2070: invalid instruction operands
    inffas32.asm(663) : error A2070: invalid instruction operands
    inffas32.asm(720) : error A2070: invalid instruction operands

  All these are due to the same problem, fix as following:

    - movd mm7,[esi]
    + movd mm7,dword ptr[esi]

3. Download the appropriate target project files from this site:
Visual Studio 2008 32-bit projects
Visual Studio 2008 64-bit projects
4. Unzip the contents to zlib123/projects folder (there should already be a visualc6 directory, these zips will add a visualc9-XXX folder depending on platform)
5. Open the SLN file with Visual Studio 2008
6. Pick the target and build it

This assumes you have ml.exe and ml64.exe (check .../Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0/VC/bin/ for ml.exe and .../Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0/VC/BIN/amd64/ for ml64.exe)
If not there download them from Microsoft

Comments/feedback/etc to achacha at hotmail.com