> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PlayFab Unified SDK Quickstart Setup

> Windows prerequisites and Visual Studio project setup for the PlayFab Unified SDK bundled with the October 2025 GDK, including include, lib, and DLL steps.

## Requirements

* [PlayFab developer account](https://developer.playfab.com)
  * Complete [Quickstart: Game Manager](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/live-service-management/gamemanager/quickstart.md) to set up your PlayFab account.
* [Visual Studio 2019 or 2022](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/)
  * For GDK development, see [SDK & tools requirements](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/gdk/_content/gc/getstarted/overviews/sdk-and-tools#install-visual-studio)

## Project Setup

Download and install the October 2025 (or later) Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK), which includes the PlayFab Unified SDK.

### Configure Project Compilation and Linking

1. **Additional Include Directories**
   * Right-click your Visual Studio project and select **Properties**.
   * Go to **C/C++ > General**.
   * Add the SDK's `include` folder (e.g., `$(GameDKLatest)\windows\include`) to **Additional Include Directories**.
2. **Additional Library Directories**
   * Go to **Linker > General**.
   * Add the SDK's `lib` folder (e.g., `$(GameDKLatest)\windows\lib\x64`) to **Additional Library Directories**.
3. **Additional Dependencies**
   * Go to **Linker > Input**.
   * Add the required SDK `.lib` files from the SDK's `lib` folder to **Additional Dependencies** (e.g., `xgameruntime.lib`, `PlayFabCore.lib`, `PlayFabServices.lib`, `PlayFabMultiplayer.lib`, `Party.lib` etc.).
4. **Runtime Dependencies**
   * Copy the required SDK `.dll` files from the SDK's `bin` folder (e.g., `$(GameDKLatest)\windows\bin\x64`) to your project's output directory (e.g., `libHttpClient.dll`, `PlayFabCore.dll`, `PlayFabServices.dll`, `PlayFabMultiplayer.dll`, `Party.dll`, etc.).

### Troubleshooting setup issues

If you encounter linking issues, ensure Visual Studio build tools and libraries (version 17.5 or later) are installed. In Visual Studio Installer, select **Modify** for VS2022 and add the required components.

![Install 17.5 Build Tools](https://mintcdn.com/microsoft-4404708b/N3T1ucKV7zIMBudj/images/playfab/sdks/c/win32_1.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=N3T1ucKV7zIMBudj\&q=85\&s=dc25ef683659f85a70a09b93b2ec6c94)


## Related topics

- [Quickstart (Windows) - Calling PlayFab Services](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/sdks/unified-sdk/quickstart-services.md)
- [Lobby SDK Quickstart](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/multiplayer/lobby/lobby-getting-started.md)
- [Matchmaking SDK quickstart](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/multiplayer/matchmaking/quickstart-client-sdk.md)
- [PlayFab for Unity (v2 Unified)](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/sdks/unified-unity/overview.md)
- [Migration Guide: PlayFab Standalone SDK (v1) to PlayFab Unified SDK (v2)](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/sdks/unified-sdk/migrating-from-v1.md)