Static Builds not Working

ed-wright

Hi Qt Forum!

I am having some issues when i try to deploy a static build of my Qt Project.

FYI i am using the following software:
Qt Creator 4.5.1
Qt 5.10.1
Project Build Kit: Desktop Qt 5.10.1 MSVC2015 64Bit

My Problem
I can successfully build the software and run it on the debug machine but when i deploy it to another windows PC the error, This application failed to start because it could not find or load the Qt platform plugin "windows".

Solutions Attempted So Far
I have deleted the build directory and rebuilt it, then using windeployqt that explicitly called from C:\QT\Qt5.10.1\5.10.1\msvc2015_64\bin. That did not work.

Copying all the Qt*.dll and Qt*d.dll over separately helped it as the previous step generated "Qt5Core is missing" even if it was in the directory, i assume this means that windeployqt is using dll's from an incorrect location.

I have tried moving over the /platforms/qwindowsd.dll, in fact i did a search and moved over every copy of qwindowsd.dll and qwindows.dll and tried them all and they didnt stop the "could not find or load the Qt platform plugin "windows"." issue.

I have tried it as a 32 bit application with MSVC2015 (Project Build Kit: Desktop Qt 5.10.1 MSVC2015 32Bit) and it build successfully and ran on my build PC but again did not work on the deployment PC with the same error.

Furthermore, i have also tried building a new blank application and deploying it on the target machine and it has exactly the same error.

Thanks in Advance

This is my .pro File

QT       += core gui network
#CONFIG += static

greaterThan(QT_MAJOR_VERSION, 4): QT += widgets

INCLUDEPATH += "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Windows Kits\\10\\Include\\10.0.10240.0\\ucrt"

LIBS += -L"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Windows Kits\\10\\Lib\\10.0.10240.0\\ucrt\\x64"
#LIBS += -L"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Windows Kits\\10\\Lib\\10.0.10240.0\\ucrt\\x86"

TARGET = APPLICATION_NAME
TEMPLATE = app


SOURCES += main.cpp\
    class1.cpp \
    class2.cpp \
    class3.cpp \
    class4.cpp \
    class5.cpp \
    class6.cpp \
    class7.cpp \
    class8.cpp \
    class9.cpp \
    class10.cpp

HEADERS  += class1.h \
    class2.h \
    class3.h \
    class4.h \
    class5.h \
    class6.h \
    class7.h \
    class8.h \
    class9.h \
    class10.h

FORMS    += mainwindow.ui

#QMAKE_CFLAGS_RELEASE += /MT
#QMAKE_CXXFLAGS_RELEASE += /MT
#QMAKE_CFLAGS_RELEASE -= -MD
#QMAKE_CXXFLAGS_RELEASE -= -MD

Please Note that names may have been changed due to the commercially sensitive nature of this project

ed-wright

So part of the problem was that my default prefix for the configure command was incorrect.

So going back and running the following worked.

configure -debug -nomake examples -nomake tests -skip qtwebengine -opensource -static -prefix C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1 -redo -recheck-all

Then to Build

nmake

mrjj

Hi
It don't sound very static. ;)

Compile release version first.
Close Creator/VS
Then could you try on the "debug machine" to rename the Qt folder so it cant find dlls from there

and then go to build folder and double click the .exe
and see if it still runs.

raven-worx

@ed-wright

your project is not compiled statically (according to the .pro file you've posted)
you need to have Qt built statically too(!!)
for static plugins (also for platform plugins of course) you need to call Q_IMPORT_PLUGIN to include them statically into your application. See this for example

ed-wright

@mrjj Thanks for your reply, i got following error on my build machine "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b). Click OK to close the application"

With the QT folder back to normal it gives the error " The procedure entry point ?data@QNetworkDatagram@@QEBA?AAVQByteArray@@XZ could not be located in the dynamic link library Qt5Network.dll"

mrjj

@ed-wright
Ok, so its really not build as static.
Did you follow a guide to make a Qt static version ?
In case, yes, which one ?
Normally, there comes a new kit when you compiled the new Qt verion.
And you need to select that for the app.

Also as a note. Using static linking requires a Qt license.
Its not available as open source, unless your app is also open source. ( which seems not to be the case)
Since you seems to be a license holder, there is also the option to get direct support form Qt Company versus this free user forum.

Also, you surely means static ? Static means it wont need any DLLs next to exe but all is compiled into the .exe.
If you mean more like standalone. (outside creator)
Then you just need to get the needed Dlls in the same folder as exe and it will run outside creator.
I use this site for info
http://www.tripleboot.org/?p=138

ed-wright

@raven-worx Thanks for your reply

If I uncomment the line CONFIG += static, should this make my project statically compiled?
Is this a download or do i have to build this. I have a Qt Commercial licence.
So if i want to statically link QNetwork for example do add QTPLUGIN += qnetwork (i am reading the link you sent as we speak)

@mrjj Thanks again for your reply, I do have a commercial licence but i happy to stay on here if it helps someone else in the future.
What is the process for statically linking Qt into my project?

What I ultimately want is a stand-alone application (just an .exe) that i can run to start my application no DLLs

mrjj

@ed-wright
Hi
Then you have to build a static Qt version.
I have seen static pre-build for Qt Device Creation but im not sure
if they have one for Desktop. (I would ask, it takes quite some time to compile
a full Qt unless your pc is epic)
this is a good start read
https://wiki.qt.io/Build_Standalone_Qt_Application_for_Windows
and also
http://amin-ahmadi.com/2016/09/22/how-to-build-qt-5-7-statically-using-msvc14-microsoft-visual-studio-2015/
but first start with
http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/build-sources.html
and make sure you install all it mentions from
http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/windows-requirements.html
perl, and also python i recall. This is a must do or
it will compile for long time and then fail.
Also, use a good pc. Dual core 1.5 ghz slim laptop will take ages.

ed-wright

@mrjj

Back to your original comment, I manually moved over all the Qt5*.dll from C:\QT\Qt5.10.1\5.10.1\msvc2015_64\bin and then ran windeployqt.exe it now executes.

Changes
It is now the release version
My pro is now changed to uncomment the line "#CONFIG += static"
My C:/QT folder is not currently called this as per your recommendation

mrjj

@ed-wright
Ok, so you successfully made a deployment folder.
Good work. Its also handy to have to check out stuff.

But its not static as that is some more work before thats possible,

ed-wright

@mrjj

I have gone into my Qt account and started downloading qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1.zip, i hope this is the correct download for the static build of Qt. Its Description is, Qt Source Package, Full Framework with Windows style line endings.

mrjj

@ed-wright
Yes, that is the source code. But there is also Qt 5.11
but i assume you been using 5.10.1 ? ( its perfectly fine)
You will then compile a static version from it.
Make sure to reads docs carefully as else it fails and you been wasting hours looking at it compiling.

ed-wright

@mrjj
As im currently using Qt5.10.1 on Qt Creator so i thought i would stick to the same version.

mrjj

@ed-wright
That is fine. Not an issue. just wanted to be clear up front as the
compiling time is not trivial .)

ed-wright

I have been trying to compile the static version of Qt now and have run into a few issues.
Following http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/windows-building.html to try to build the
static version of Qt.

STEP 1
As i use Qt Creator and i have put the License into the prompt this step is
done

STEP 2
I already have a directory called C:\QT\Qt5.10.1, but from the downloads page
in my account i also have downloaded (Qt Source Package, Full Framework with
Windows style line endings ) and it is unpacked and located at C:\QT\qt-
everywhere-src-5.10.1, my project is currently using the first path.

STEP 3
With the environment variables, in my PATH i have
C:\QT\vs2015\qt5.6.1-64\5.6\msvc2015_64\bin, i do not think this is correct as
i want to be using 5.10.1 with msvs2015 so i think it needs to be.
C:\QT\Qt5.10.1\5.10.1\msvc2015_64\bin is this correct?

Anyway, following the guide my file qt5vars.cmd has the following:

REM Set up \Microsoft Visual Studio 14, where <arch> is \c amd64, \c
x86, etc.
CALL "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio
14.0\VC\vcvarsall.bat" amd64
SET _ROOT=C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1
SET PATH=%_ROOT%\qtbase\bin;%_ROOT%\gnuwin32\bin;%PATH%
REM Uncomment the below line when using a git checkout of the source
repository
REM SET PATH=%_ROOT%\qtrepotools\bin;%PATH%
SET _ROOT=

NOTE: i am trying to use the downloaded (Qt Source Package, Full Framework
with Windows style line endings) not the normal 5.10.1 build.

NOTE2: This produces the following when running in the cmd off the shortcut on
the desktop:

C:\WINDOWS>REM Set up \Microsoft Visual Studio 14, where <arch> is \c
amd64, \c
x86, etc.

C:\WINDOWS>CALL "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio
14.0\VC\vcvarsal
l.bat" amd64

STEP 4

Using the Developer Command Prompt for VS2015 i navigate to C:\QT\qt-
everywhere-src-5.10.1

and run the following configure -debug -nomake examples -nomake tests -skip
qtwebengine -opensource

i get the following errors

NMAKE : fatal error U1077: '"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual
Studio 14.0
\VC\BIN\cl.EXE"' : return code '0x2'

ed-wright

@mrjj

Okay an update, Still not working but got a little further.

I have added the line:
set CL=/I"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.10240.0\ucrt"

to the file, C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1\configure.bat

it now progresses further BUT now i get this error:

LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libucrt.lib'
NMAKE : fatal error U1077: '"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC\BIN\link.EXE"' : return code '0x450'
Stop.

im trying to find libucrt.lib as we speak

mrjj

Hi
Good work.
I have not seen that one before, but it seems to be related to static linking
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/35805113/visual-studio-2015-run-time-dependencies-or-how-to-get-rid-of-universal-crt

ed-wright

@mrjj

Adding the following to my configure.bat located in the C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1 directory allowed me to overcome this problem.

set INCLUDE=%INCLUDE%;C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.10240.0\ucrt
set LIB=%LIB%;C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\lib\10.0.10240.0\ucrt\x86

Onto the next issue now.

I have successfully run the command

configure -debug -nomake examples -nomake tests -skip qtwebengine -opensource -static

The next part of the guide states that the following command should be run.

nmake

Once running it went for a few minutes and then produced the following error

Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 14.00.24210.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

        cl -c -nologo -Zc:wchar_t -FS -Zc:strictStrings -Zi -MDd -utf-8 -W0 /Fd..\..\..\lib\qtpcre2d.pdb -DUNICODE -D_UNICODE -DWIN32 -DPCRE2_CODE_UNIT_WIDTH=16 -DPCRE2_STATIC -DQT_NO_NARROWING_CONVER
SIONS_IN_CONNECT -DHAVE_CONFIG_H -DQT_NO_DYNAMIC_CAST -DQT_NO_EXCEPTIONS -I. -Isrc -I..\..\..\mkspecs\win32-msvc -Fo.obj\debug\ @C:\Users\T0187208\AppData\Local\Temp\nmF7A.tmp
pcre2_auto_possess.c
pcre2_chartables.c
pcre2_compile.c
pcre2_config.c
pcre2_context.c
pcre2_dfa_match.c
pcre2_error.c
pcre2_find_bracket.c
pcre2_jit_compile.c
pcre2_maketables.c
pcre2_match.c
pcre2_match_data.c
pcre2_newline.c
pcre2_ord2utf.c
pcre2_pattern_info.c
pcre2_serialize.c
pcre2_string_utils.c
pcre2_study.c
pcre2_substitute.c
pcre2_substring.c
Generating Code...
Compiling...
pcre2_tables.c
pcre2_ucd.c
pcre2_valid_utf.c
pcre2_xclass.c
Generating Code...
        lib /NOLOGO  /OUT:..\..\..\lib\qtpcre2d.lib @C:\Users\T0187208\AppData\Local\Temp\nm1B7D.tmp
        cd corelib\ && ( if not exist Makefile C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1\qtbase\bin\qmake.exe -o Makefile C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1\qtbase\src\corelib\corelib.pro ) && "C:\Program Files (x86
)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC\BIN\nmake.exe" -f Makefile
ASSERT: "isAbsolutePath(baseDir)" in file C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1\qtbase\qmake\library\ioutils.cpp, line 106
NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'cd' : return code '0x3'
Stop.
NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'cd' : return code '0x2'
Stop.
NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'cd' : return code '0x2'
Stop.

This is omitting some of the previous command line output that all worked correctly, this is where it crashed.

Do you have any idea?

ed-wright

So part of the problem was that my default prefix for the configure command was incorrect.

So going back and running the following worked.

configure -debug -nomake examples -nomake tests -skip qtwebengine -opensource -static -prefix C:\QT\qt-everywhere-src-5.10.1 -redo -recheck-all

Then to Build

nmake

mrjj

Super good work.
Thanks for updating on the way. will be helpful for others.