---
description: "Learn more about: LIB Reference"
title: "LIB Reference"
ms.date: "11/04/2016"
f1_keywords: ["Lib"]
helpviewer_keywords: ["static libraries", "static libraries, setting IDE options", "Library Manager", "LIB [C++]", "32-Bit Library Manager"]
ms.assetid: ecc7f643-bbd4-47a3-8dc6-b360f880db91
---
# LIB Reference

The Microsoft Library Manager (LIB.exe) creates and manages a library of Common Object File Format (COFF) object files. LIB can also be used to create export files and import libraries to reference exported definitions.

> [!NOTE]
> You can start this tool only from the Visual Studio command prompt. You cannot start it from a system command prompt or from File Explorer.

- [Overview of LIB](overview-of-lib.md)

- [How to: Set LIB.EXE Options in the Visual Studio Development Environment](how-to-set-lib-exe-options-in-the-visual-studio-development-environment.md)

- [Running LIB](running-lib.md)

- [Managing a Library](managing-a-library.md)

- [Extracting a Library Member](extracting-a-library-member.md)

- [Working with Import Libraries and Export Files](working-with-import-libraries-and-export-files.md)

## See also

[Additional MSVC Build Tools](c-cpp-build-tools.md)