C# Visual Studio 2022 build action does not copy file in subdirectory to output directory

Question

I have a file that needs to be in the output directory for a project to run properly. If this file (a 3rd party dll) is in the main project directory with "Build Action" set to "None" and "Copy to Output Directory" set to "Copy always" it seems to work OK. BUT if I put this file into a sub-directory in the main project directory, it NEVER copies. There is no error, warning, nothing. And no, it does not copy to a sub-directory in the build directory either. Build just seems to ignore the setting.

Is this a bug with the build tool or Visual Studio? Does anyone know a work-around?

marc_s · Accepted Answer · 2025-11-13 17:38:01Z

4

Manually edit the project file (.csproj):

<ItemGroup>
    <None Include="Subdirectory\Your3rdParty.dll">
        <CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
    </None>
</ItemGroup>

edited Nov 13 at 17:38

marc_s

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answered Nov 13 at 15:26

Harbin Avduramani

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2 Comments

Community Nov 13 at 15:32

Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.

Kevin Nov 13 at 15:41

After ensuring VS updated the subdirectory in the csproj file, you may also want to delete the obj and bin files, then perform a clean and build.

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