title: How is "Microsoft Build Tools 2015" different from "Visual C++ Build Tools 2015"?
body: <p>In order to compile a few Python modules, following <a href="https://wiki.python.org/moin/WindowsCompilers" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://wiki.python.org/moin/WindowsCompilers</a>, I just tried to install "Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 standalone: Visual C++ Build Tools 2015 (x86, x64, ARM)".</p>
  
  <p>I found the installer here <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48159" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Microsoft Build Tools 2015</a>, but:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p>strangely the Full installer "BuildTools_Full.exe" (not Net install) is only 24.4 MB, and ~ 124 MB once installed (so obviously all the SDK is not installed)</p></li>
  <li><p>This option: "Windows SDK":</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Install Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools 2015. Check Windows 8.1 SDK and Windows 10 SDK options.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>was not offered during the install process.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/9PNUom.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/9PNUom.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p></li>
  <li><p>the compiler <code>cl.exe</code> is not even present on my whole system after the full successful install</p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p><strong>Question: what is actually <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48159" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Microsoft Build Tools 2015</a> if it does not install any compiler and/or SDK?</strong></p>
  
  <p>And where can one get the real "Visual C++ Build Tools 2015"?</p>
  
  <p>Note: </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>I'd like to use this one and not newer because of compatibility with previous builds I made</li>
  <li>I don't want to install Visual Studio but only the standalone build tools</li>
  </ul>