Crypto++ Installation and Usage in Visual Studio 2017: A Complete Guide

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Integrating cryptographic functionality into C++ applications is essential for ensuring data security, and Crypto++ stands out as a powerful, open-source library tailored for this purpose. This comprehensive guide walks you through the download, installation, configuration, and practical use of Crypto++ with Visual Studio 2017, including real-world encryption and decryption examples. Whether you're building secure communication tools or protecting sensitive data, this tutorial ensures a smooth setup process.

What Is Crypto++?

Crypto++ (also known as the Crypto++ Library) is a free, open-source C++ library that implements a wide range of cryptographic schemes. It supports modern encryption standards and is widely used in applications requiring high-security data handling.

Key Features of Crypto++

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Step-by-Step: Downloading Crypto++

To get started, download the latest stable release of Crypto++. As of this writing, version 8.8.0 remains widely compatible with Visual Studio 2017.

  1. Visit the official website: https://www.cryptopp.com
  2. Locate the "Latest Release" section.
  3. Download the .zip package (e.g., cryptopp880.zip).

Ensure you save the file to an accessible directory like C:\Projects\ or C:\Libraries\.

🔍 Pro Tip: Avoid third-party mirrors. Always download from the official site to prevent tampering or outdated builds.

Extracting the Archive

After downloading:

  1. Right-click the .zip file.
  2. Select Extract All.
  3. Choose a clean folder path such as C:\Libraries\cryptopp880.

This extracted folder will contain source files, project configurations (cryptest.vcxproj, cryptlib.vcxproj), header files, and build scripts.

Installing and Building Crypto++ in Visual Studio 2017

Now it's time to compile the library so it can be linked to your projects.

Open the Project in Visual Studio

  1. Launch Visual Studio 2017.
  2. Go to File > Open > Project/Solution.
  3. Navigate to your extracted folder and open cryptlib.vcxproj.

This project builds the static library (cryptlib.lib) required for linking.

Configure Build Settings

Select the correct platform configuration:

Adjust Project Properties

Right-click on cryptlib in Solution Explorer → Properties:

  1. General → Windows SDK Version: Match your installed SDK version.

  2. C/C++ → Code Generation → Runtime Library:

    • For Release: Use Multi-threaded DLL (/MD)
    • For Debug: Use Multi-threaded Debug DLL (/MDd)
  3. Click Apply → OK

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Build the Library

  1. In Solution Explorer, right-click cryptlib → Build.
  2. Wait for the output:
    Build: 1 succeeded, 0 failed

Upon success:

You now have a compiled version of Crypto++ ready for integration.

Integrating Crypto++ Into Your C++ Project

To use Crypto++ in your own application:

Set Up Include and Library Paths

  1. Open your C++ project in Visual Studio.
  2. Right-click the project → Properties.

Under VC++ Directories:

Link the Static Library

Go to:

Click OK to save settings.

Your project is now fully configured to use Crypto++ functions.

Practical Example: AES Encryption and Decryption

Below is a complete working example demonstrating AES encryption in CBC mode using Crypto++.

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

#include "cryptlib.h"
#include "aes.h"
#include "modes.h"
#include "filters.h"
#include "hex.h"
#include "secblock.h"

int main()
{
    using namespace CryptoPP;

    AutoSeededRandomPool rng;

    // Generate a random 128-bit key
    SecByteBlock key(AES::DEFAULT_KEYLENGTH);
    rng.GenerateBlock(key, key.size());

    // Generate a random initialization vector (IV)
    SecByteBlock iv(AES::BLOCKSIZE);
    rng.GenerateBlock(iv, iv.size());

    // Plaintext message
    std::string plaintext = "Hello, World!";
    std::string ciphertext;
    std::string decryptedtext;

    // Encrypt
    CBC_Mode<AES>::Encryption encryption;
    encryption.SetKeyWithIV(key, key.size(), iv);

    StringSource encryptor(
        plaintext,
        true,
        new StreamTransformationFilter(
            encryption,
            new HexEncoder(new StringSink(ciphertext))
        )
    );

    std::cout << "Encrypted text: " << ciphertext << std::endl;

    // Decrypt
    CBC_Mode<AES>::Decryption decryption;
    decryption.SetKeyWithIV(key, key.size(), iv);

    StringSource decryptor(
        ciphertext,
        true,
        new HexDecoder(
            new StreamTransformationFilter(
                decryption,
                new StringSink(decryptedtext)
            )
        )
    );

    std::cout << "Decrypted text: " << decryptedtext << std::endl;

    return 0;
}

Expected Output

Encrypted text: 3A7F1B4C9D2E6A8F...
Decrypted text: Hello, World!

This example uses:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use Crypto++ with other IDEs besides Visual Studio?

Yes. While this guide focuses on VS 2017, Crypto++ can be compiled using GCC (Linux), Clang (macOS), or MinGW on Windows via command-line builds.

Q: Do I need to redistribute cryptlib.dll?

No — when using the static library (cryptlib.lib), all code is linked directly into your executable. There’s no need for external DLLs unless you explicitly build and use the dynamic version.

Q: Is Crypto++ thread-safe?

Most algorithms are thread-safe if each thread uses its own object instances. However, sharing a single encryptor/decryptor across threads without synchronization may lead to undefined behavior.

Q: How do I upgrade to a newer version of Crypto++?

Download the latest release, rebuild the library with your current toolchain, update include/lib paths, and recompile your project. Always test after upgrading due to potential API changes.

Q: Why am I getting linker errors?

Common causes include:

Double-check your project settings against the build configuration used for Crypto++.

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Conclusion

Setting up Crypto++ in Visual Studio 2017 may require careful configuration, but once completed, it provides a robust foundation for implementing advanced cryptographic features in your C++ applications. From secure messaging to data-at-rest protection, the library empowers developers with enterprise-grade tools under a permissive license.

By following this guide, you've learned how to:

With these skills, you're well-equipped to enhance your software’s security posture using one of the most trusted C++ cryptography libraries available today.

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