How can an error message LNK 1104 indicate that it cannot open a file named ...exe when there is no exe file created in the first place?

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There are several reasons why an LNK 1104 error message might indicate that it cannot open a file named ...exe, even if no exe file has been created yet. Some of these reasons include:

1. Incorrect project settings: If the project settings are not configured correctly, the linker may try to create an exe file even if it is not necessary. This can result in the LNK 1104 error message if the linker is unable to find or open the file.

2. Missing or corrupted system files: If the system files required by the linker are missing or corrupted, it may not be able to create or open the exe file. This can result in the LNK 1104 error message.

3. Permission issues: If the user account running the linker does not have the necessary permissions to create or open an exe file, the linker may fail with the LNK 1104 error message.

4. Anti-virus software interference: Some anti-virus software may interfere with the linker's ability to create or open an exe file, resulting in the LNK 1104 error message.

In general, the LNK 1104 error message indicates that the linker is unable to find or access a file that it needs in order to complete its task. While the error message may explicitly reference an exe file, the underlying issue may be related to other files or system settings.