Can't (easily) build a Windows console app that accesses the clipboard

[terrajobst]

I was trying to build a console app that accesses the clipboard. The easiest thing I could think of was this:

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
    <TargetFramework>net5.0-windows</TargetFramework>
    <UseWindowsForms>True</UseWindowsForms>
  </PropertyGroup>

</Project>

This compiles and runs, but the process isn't connected to the current console host, which causes no output to appear in the shell from which the console app was launched. I assume that's because the produced .exe uses the wrong subsystem.

I was able to work this around by not using UseWindowsForms and instead referencing the desktop framework:

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
    <TargetFramework>net5.0-windows</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <FrameworkReference Include="Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App" />
  </ItemGroup>

</Project>

It seems to me that UseWindowsForms somehow overwrites the OutputType property. Is this expected behavior?

/cc @dsplaisted @rainersigwald

[dsplaisted]

This is an intentional breaking change: dotnet/docs#20373

Set the DisableWinExeOutputInference output property to true if you actually want Exe and not WinExe for the OutputType.

[terrajobst]

I see, that makes sense.