diff --git a/distutils/msvc9compiler.py b/distutils/msvc9compiler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62075c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/distutils/msvc9compiler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,824 @@
+"""distutils.msvc9compiler
+
+Contains MSVCCompiler, an implementation of the abstract CCompiler class
+for the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.
+
+The module is compatible with VS 2005 and VS 2008. You can find legacy support
+for older versions of VS in distutils.msvccompiler.
+"""
+
+# Written by Perry Stoll
+# hacked by Robin Becker and Thomas Heller to do a better job of
+#   finding DevStudio (through the registry)
+# ported to VS2005 and VS 2008 by Christian Heimes
+
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import re
+
+from distutils.errors import (
+    DistutilsExecError,
+    DistutilsPlatformError,
+    CompileError,
+    LibError,
+    LinkError,
+)
+from distutils.ccompiler import CCompiler, gen_lib_options
+from distutils import log
+from distutils.util import get_platform
+
+import winreg
+
+RegOpenKeyEx = winreg.OpenKeyEx
+RegEnumKey = winreg.EnumKey
+RegEnumValue = winreg.EnumValue
+RegError = winreg.error
+
+HKEYS = (
+    winreg.HKEY_USERS,
+    winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
+    winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
+    winreg.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT,
+)
+
+NATIVE_WIN64 = sys.platform == 'win32' and sys.maxsize > 2**32
+if NATIVE_WIN64:
+    # Visual C++ is a 32-bit application, so we need to look in
+    # the corresponding registry branch, if we're running a
+    # 64-bit Python on Win64
+    VS_BASE = r"Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\VisualStudio\%0.1f"
+    WINSDK_BASE = r"Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SDKs\Windows"
+    NET_BASE = r"Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\.NETFramework"
+else:
+    VS_BASE = r"Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\%0.1f"
+    WINSDK_BASE = r"Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SDKs\Windows"
+    NET_BASE = r"Software\Microsoft\.NETFramework"
+
+# A map keyed by get_platform() return values to values accepted by
+# 'vcvarsall.bat'.  Note a cross-compile may combine these (eg, 'x86_amd64' is
+# the param to cross-compile on x86 targeting amd64.)
+PLAT_TO_VCVARS = {
+    'win32': 'x86',
+    'win-amd64': 'amd64',
+}
+
+
+class Reg:
+    """Helper class to read values from the registry"""
+
+    def get_value(cls, path, key):
+        for base in HKEYS:
+            d = cls.read_values(base, path)
+            if d and key in d:
+                return d[key]
+        raise KeyError(key)
+
+    get_value = classmethod(get_value)
+
+    def read_keys(cls, base, key):
+        """Return list of registry keys."""
+        try:
+            handle = RegOpenKeyEx(base, key)
+        except RegError:
+            return None
+        L = []
+        i = 0
+        while True:
+            try:
+                k = RegEnumKey(handle, i)
+            except RegError:
+                break
+            L.append(k)
+            i += 1
+        return L
+
+    read_keys = classmethod(read_keys)
+
+    def read_values(cls, base, key):
+        """Return dict of registry keys and values.
+
+        All names are converted to lowercase.
+        """
+        try:
+            handle = RegOpenKeyEx(base, key)
+        except RegError:
+            return None
+        d = {}
+        i = 0
+        while True:
+            try:
+                name, value, type = RegEnumValue(handle, i)
+            except RegError:
+                break
+            name = name.lower()
+            d[cls.convert_mbcs(name)] = cls.convert_mbcs(value)
+            i += 1
+        return d
+
+    read_values = classmethod(read_values)
+
+    def convert_mbcs(s):
+        dec = getattr(s, "decode", None)
+        if dec is not None:
+            try:
+                s = dec("mbcs")
+            except UnicodeError:
+                pass
+        return s
+
+    convert_mbcs = staticmethod(convert_mbcs)
+
+
+class MacroExpander:
+    def __init__(self, version):
+        self.macros = {}
+        self.vsbase = VS_BASE % version
+        self.load_macros(version)
+
+    def set_macro(self, macro, path, key):
+        self.macros["$(%s)" % macro] = Reg.get_value(path, key)
+
+    def load_macros(self, version):
+        self.set_macro("VCInstallDir", self.vsbase + r"\Setup\VC", "productdir")
+        self.set_macro("VSInstallDir", self.vsbase + r"\Setup\VS", "productdir")
+        self.set_macro("FrameworkDir", NET_BASE, "installroot")
+        try:
+            if version >= 8.0:
+                self.set_macro("FrameworkSDKDir", NET_BASE, "sdkinstallrootv2.0")
+            else:
+                raise KeyError("sdkinstallrootv2.0")
+        except KeyError:
+            raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                """Python was built with Visual Studio 2008;
+extensions must be built with a compiler than can generate compatible binaries.
+Visual Studio 2008 was not found on this system. If you have Cygwin installed,
+you can try compiling with MingW32, by passing "-c mingw32" to setup.py."""
+            )
+
+        if version >= 9.0:
+            self.set_macro("FrameworkVersion", self.vsbase, "clr version")
+            self.set_macro("WindowsSdkDir", WINSDK_BASE, "currentinstallfolder")
+        else:
+            p = r"Software\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\Product"
+            for base in HKEYS:
+                try:
+                    h = RegOpenKeyEx(base, p)
+                except RegError:
+                    continue
+                key = RegEnumKey(h, 0)
+                d = Reg.get_value(base, r"{}\{}".format(p, key))
+                self.macros["$(FrameworkVersion)"] = d["version"]
+
+    def sub(self, s):
+        for k, v in self.macros.items():
+            s = s.replace(k, v)
+        return s
+
+
+def get_build_version():
+    """Return the version of MSVC that was used to build Python.
+
+    For Python 2.3 and up, the version number is included in
+    sys.version.  For earlier versions, assume the compiler is MSVC 6.
+    """
+    prefix = "MSC v."
+    i = sys.version.find(prefix)
+    if i == -1:
+        return 6
+    i = i + len(prefix)
+    s, rest = sys.version[i:].split(" ", 1)
+    majorVersion = int(s[:-2]) - 6
+    if majorVersion >= 13:
+        # v13 was skipped and should be v14
+        majorVersion += 1
+    minorVersion = int(s[2:3]) / 10.0
+    # I don't think paths are affected by minor version in version 6
+    if majorVersion == 6:
+        minorVersion = 0
+    if majorVersion >= 6:
+        return majorVersion + minorVersion
+    # else we don't know what version of the compiler this is
+    return None
+
+
+def normalize_and_reduce_paths(paths):
+    """Return a list of normalized paths with duplicates removed.
+
+    The current order of paths is maintained.
+    """
+    # Paths are normalized so things like:  /a and /a/ aren't both preserved.
+    reduced_paths = []
+    for p in paths:
+        np = os.path.normpath(p)
+        # XXX(nnorwitz): O(n**2), if reduced_paths gets long perhaps use a set.
+        if np not in reduced_paths:
+            reduced_paths.append(np)
+    return reduced_paths
+
+
+def removeDuplicates(variable):
+    """Remove duplicate values of an environment variable."""
+    oldList = variable.split(os.pathsep)
+    newList = []
+    for i in oldList:
+        if i not in newList:
+            newList.append(i)
+    newVariable = os.pathsep.join(newList)
+    return newVariable
+
+
+def find_vcvarsall(version):
+    """Find the vcvarsall.bat file
+
+    At first it tries to find the productdir of VS 2008 in the registry. If
+    that fails it falls back to the VS90COMNTOOLS env var.
+    """
+    vsbase = VS_BASE % version
+    try:
+        productdir = Reg.get_value(r"%s\Setup\VC" % vsbase, "productdir")
+    except KeyError:
+        log.debug("Unable to find productdir in registry")
+        productdir = None
+
+    if not productdir or not os.path.isdir(productdir):
+        toolskey = "VS%0.f0COMNTOOLS" % version
+        toolsdir = os.environ.get(toolskey, None)
+
+        if toolsdir and os.path.isdir(toolsdir):
+            productdir = os.path.join(toolsdir, os.pardir, os.pardir, "VC")
+            productdir = os.path.abspath(productdir)
+            if not os.path.isdir(productdir):
+                log.debug("%s is not a valid directory" % productdir)
+                return None
+        else:
+            log.debug("Env var %s is not set or invalid" % toolskey)
+    if not productdir:
+        log.debug("No productdir found")
+        return None
+    vcvarsall = os.path.join(productdir, "vcvarsall.bat")
+    if os.path.isfile(vcvarsall):
+        return vcvarsall
+    log.debug("Unable to find vcvarsall.bat")
+    return None
+
+
+def query_vcvarsall(version, arch="x86"):
+    """Launch vcvarsall.bat and read the settings from its environment"""
+    vcvarsall = find_vcvarsall(version)
+    interesting = {"include", "lib", "libpath", "path"}
+    result = {}
+
+    if vcvarsall is None:
+        raise DistutilsPlatformError("Unable to find vcvarsall.bat")
+    log.debug("Calling 'vcvarsall.bat %s' (version=%s)", arch, version)
+    popen = subprocess.Popen(
+        '"{}" {} & set'.format(vcvarsall, arch),
+        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+    )
+    try:
+        stdout, stderr = popen.communicate()
+        if popen.wait() != 0:
+            raise DistutilsPlatformError(stderr.decode("mbcs"))
+
+        stdout = stdout.decode("mbcs")
+        for line in stdout.split("\n"):
+            line = Reg.convert_mbcs(line)
+            if '=' not in line:
+                continue
+            line = line.strip()
+            key, value = line.split('=', 1)
+            key = key.lower()
+            if key in interesting:
+                if value.endswith(os.pathsep):
+                    value = value[:-1]
+                result[key] = removeDuplicates(value)
+
+    finally:
+        popen.stdout.close()
+        popen.stderr.close()
+
+    if len(result) != len(interesting):
+        raise ValueError(str(list(result.keys())))
+
+    return result
+
+
+# More globals
+VERSION = get_build_version()
+# MACROS = MacroExpander(VERSION)
+
+
+class MSVCCompiler(CCompiler):
+    """Concrete class that implements an interface to Microsoft Visual C++,
+    as defined by the CCompiler abstract class."""
+
+    compiler_type = 'msvc'
+
+    # Just set this so CCompiler's constructor doesn't barf.  We currently
+    # don't use the 'set_executables()' bureaucracy provided by CCompiler,
+    # as it really isn't necessary for this sort of single-compiler class.
+    # Would be nice to have a consistent interface with UnixCCompiler,
+    # though, so it's worth thinking about.
+    executables = {}
+
+    # Private class data (need to distinguish C from C++ source for compiler)
+    _c_extensions = ['.c']
+    _cpp_extensions = ['.cc', '.cpp', '.cxx']
+    _rc_extensions = ['.rc']
+    _mc_extensions = ['.mc']
+
+    # Needed for the filename generation methods provided by the
+    # base class, CCompiler.
+    src_extensions = _c_extensions + _cpp_extensions + _rc_extensions + _mc_extensions
+    res_extension = '.res'
+    obj_extension = '.obj'
+    static_lib_extension = '.lib'
+    shared_lib_extension = '.dll'
+    static_lib_format = shared_lib_format = '%s%s'
+    exe_extension = '.exe'
+
+    def __init__(self, verbose=0, dry_run=0, force=0):
+        super().__init__(verbose, dry_run, force)
+        self.__version = VERSION
+        self.__root = r"Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio"
+        # self.__macros = MACROS
+        self.__paths = []
+        # target platform (.plat_name is consistent with 'bdist')
+        self.plat_name = None
+        self.__arch = None  # deprecated name
+        self.initialized = False
+
+    def initialize(self, plat_name=None):  # noqa: C901
+        # multi-init means we would need to check platform same each time...
+        assert not self.initialized, "don't init multiple times"
+        if self.__version < 8.0:
+            raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                "VC %0.1f is not supported by this module" % self.__version
+            )
+        if plat_name is None:
+            plat_name = get_platform()
+        # sanity check for platforms to prevent obscure errors later.
+        ok_plats = 'win32', 'win-amd64'
+        if plat_name not in ok_plats:
+            raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                "--plat-name must be one of {}".format(ok_plats)
+            )
+
+        if (
+            "DISTUTILS_USE_SDK" in os.environ
+            and "MSSdk" in os.environ
+            and self.find_exe("cl.exe")
+        ):
+            # Assume that the SDK set up everything alright; don't try to be
+            # smarter
+            self.cc = "cl.exe"
+            self.linker = "link.exe"
+            self.lib = "lib.exe"
+            self.rc = "rc.exe"
+            self.mc = "mc.exe"
+        else:
+            # On x86, 'vcvars32.bat amd64' creates an env that doesn't work;
+            # to cross compile, you use 'x86_amd64'.
+            # On AMD64, 'vcvars32.bat amd64' is a native build env; to cross
+            # compile use 'x86' (ie, it runs the x86 compiler directly)
+            if plat_name == get_platform() or plat_name == 'win32':
+                # native build or cross-compile to win32
+                plat_spec = PLAT_TO_VCVARS[plat_name]
+            else:
+                # cross compile from win32 -> some 64bit
+                plat_spec = (
+                    PLAT_TO_VCVARS[get_platform()] + '_' + PLAT_TO_VCVARS[plat_name]
+                )
+
+            vc_env = query_vcvarsall(VERSION, plat_spec)
+
+            self.__paths = vc_env['path'].split(os.pathsep)
+            os.environ['lib'] = vc_env['lib']
+            os.environ['include'] = vc_env['include']
+
+            if len(self.__paths) == 0:
+                raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                    "Python was built with %s, "
+                    "and extensions need to be built with the same "
+                    "version of the compiler, but it isn't installed." % self.__product
+                )
+
+            self.cc = self.find_exe("cl.exe")
+            self.linker = self.find_exe("link.exe")
+            self.lib = self.find_exe("lib.exe")
+            self.rc = self.find_exe("rc.exe")  # resource compiler
+            self.mc = self.find_exe("mc.exe")  # message compiler
+            # self.set_path_env_var('lib')
+            # self.set_path_env_var('include')
+
+        # extend the MSVC path with the current path
+        try:
+            for p in os.environ['path'].split(';'):
+                self.__paths.append(p)
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+        self.__paths = normalize_and_reduce_paths(self.__paths)
+        os.environ['path'] = ";".join(self.__paths)
+
+        self.preprocess_options = None
+        if self.__arch == "x86":
+            self.compile_options = ['/nologo', '/O2', '/MD', '/W3', '/DNDEBUG']
+            self.compile_options_debug = [
+                '/nologo',
+                '/Od',
+                '/MDd',
+                '/W3',
+                '/Z7',
+                '/D_DEBUG',
+            ]
+        else:
+            # Win64
+            self.compile_options = ['/nologo', '/O2', '/MD', '/W3', '/GS-', '/DNDEBUG']
+            self.compile_options_debug = [
+                '/nologo',
+                '/Od',
+                '/MDd',
+                '/W3',
+                '/GS-',
+                '/Z7',
+                '/D_DEBUG',
+            ]
+
+        self.ldflags_shared = ['/DLL', '/nologo', '/INCREMENTAL:NO']
+        if self.__version >= 7:
+            self.ldflags_shared_debug = ['/DLL', '/nologo', '/INCREMENTAL:no', '/DEBUG']
+        self.ldflags_static = ['/nologo']
+
+        self.initialized = True
+
+    # -- Worker methods ------------------------------------------------
+
+    def object_filenames(self, source_filenames, strip_dir=0, output_dir=''):
+        # Copied from ccompiler.py, extended to return .res as 'object'-file
+        # for .rc input file
+        if output_dir is None:
+            output_dir = ''
+        obj_names = []
+        for src_name in source_filenames:
+            (base, ext) = os.path.splitext(src_name)
+            base = os.path.splitdrive(base)[1]  # Chop off the drive
+            base = base[os.path.isabs(base) :]  # If abs, chop off leading /
+            if ext not in self.src_extensions:
+                # Better to raise an exception instead of silently continuing
+                # and later complain about sources and targets having
+                # different lengths
+                raise CompileError("Don't know how to compile %s" % src_name)
+            if strip_dir:
+                base = os.path.basename(base)
+            if ext in self._rc_extensions:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.res_extension))
+            elif ext in self._mc_extensions:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.res_extension))
+            else:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.obj_extension))
+        return obj_names
+
+    def compile(  # noqa: C901
+        self,
+        sources,
+        output_dir=None,
+        macros=None,
+        include_dirs=None,
+        debug=0,
+        extra_preargs=None,
+        extra_postargs=None,
+        depends=None,
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        compile_info = self._setup_compile(
+            output_dir, macros, include_dirs, sources, depends, extra_postargs
+        )
+        macros, objects, extra_postargs, pp_opts, build = compile_info
+
+        compile_opts = extra_preargs or []
+        compile_opts.append('/c')
+        if debug:
+            compile_opts.extend(self.compile_options_debug)
+        else:
+            compile_opts.extend(self.compile_options)
+
+        for obj in objects:
+            try:
+                src, ext = build[obj]
+            except KeyError:
+                continue
+            if debug:
+                # pass the full pathname to MSVC in debug mode,
+                # this allows the debugger to find the source file
+                # without asking the user to browse for it
+                src = os.path.abspath(src)
+
+            if ext in self._c_extensions:
+                input_opt = "/Tc" + src
+            elif ext in self._cpp_extensions:
+                input_opt = "/Tp" + src
+            elif ext in self._rc_extensions:
+                # compile .RC to .RES file
+                input_opt = src
+                output_opt = "/fo" + obj
+                try:
+                    self.spawn([self.rc] + pp_opts + [output_opt] + [input_opt])
+                except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                    raise CompileError(msg)
+                continue
+            elif ext in self._mc_extensions:
+                # Compile .MC to .RC file to .RES file.
+                #   * '-h dir' specifies the directory for the
+                #     generated include file
+                #   * '-r dir' specifies the target directory of the
+                #     generated RC file and the binary message resource
+                #     it includes
+                #
+                # For now (since there are no options to change this),
+                # we use the source-directory for the include file and
+                # the build directory for the RC file and message
+                # resources. This works at least for win32all.
+                h_dir = os.path.dirname(src)
+                rc_dir = os.path.dirname(obj)
+                try:
+                    # first compile .MC to .RC and .H file
+                    self.spawn([self.mc] + ['-h', h_dir, '-r', rc_dir] + [src])
+                    base, _ = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(src))
+                    rc_file = os.path.join(rc_dir, base + '.rc')
+                    # then compile .RC to .RES file
+                    self.spawn([self.rc] + ["/fo" + obj] + [rc_file])
+
+                except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                    raise CompileError(msg)
+                continue
+            else:
+                # how to handle this file?
+                raise CompileError(
+                    "Don't know how to compile {} to {}".format(src, obj)
+                )
+
+            output_opt = "/Fo" + obj
+            try:
+                self.spawn(
+                    [self.cc]
+                    + compile_opts
+                    + pp_opts
+                    + [input_opt, output_opt]
+                    + extra_postargs
+                )
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise CompileError(msg)
+
+        return objects
+
+    def create_static_lib(
+        self, objects, output_libname, output_dir=None, debug=0, target_lang=None
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        (objects, output_dir) = self._fix_object_args(objects, output_dir)
+        output_filename = self.library_filename(output_libname, output_dir=output_dir)
+
+        if self._need_link(objects, output_filename):
+            lib_args = objects + ['/OUT:' + output_filename]
+            if debug:
+                pass  # XXX what goes here?
+            try:
+                self.spawn([self.lib] + lib_args)
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise LibError(msg)
+        else:
+            log.debug("skipping %s (up-to-date)", output_filename)
+
+    def link(  # noqa: C901
+        self,
+        target_desc,
+        objects,
+        output_filename,
+        output_dir=None,
+        libraries=None,
+        library_dirs=None,
+        runtime_library_dirs=None,
+        export_symbols=None,
+        debug=0,
+        extra_preargs=None,
+        extra_postargs=None,
+        build_temp=None,
+        target_lang=None,
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        (objects, output_dir) = self._fix_object_args(objects, output_dir)
+        fixed_args = self._fix_lib_args(libraries, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs)
+        (libraries, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs) = fixed_args
+
+        if runtime_library_dirs:
+            self.warn(
+                "I don't know what to do with 'runtime_library_dirs': "
+                + str(runtime_library_dirs)
+            )
+
+        lib_opts = gen_lib_options(self, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs, libraries)
+        if output_dir is not None:
+            output_filename = os.path.join(output_dir, output_filename)
+
+        if self._need_link(objects, output_filename):
+            if target_desc == CCompiler.EXECUTABLE:
+                if debug:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared_debug[1:]
+                else:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared[1:]
+            else:
+                if debug:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared_debug
+                else:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared
+
+            export_opts = []
+            for sym in export_symbols or []:
+                export_opts.append("/EXPORT:" + sym)
+
+            ld_args = (
+                ldflags + lib_opts + export_opts + objects + ['/OUT:' + output_filename]
+            )
+
+            # The MSVC linker generates .lib and .exp files, which cannot be
+            # suppressed by any linker switches. The .lib files may even be
+            # needed! Make sure they are generated in the temporary build
+            # directory. Since they have different names for debug and release
+            # builds, they can go into the same directory.
+            build_temp = os.path.dirname(objects[0])
+            if export_symbols is not None:
+                (dll_name, dll_ext) = os.path.splitext(
+                    os.path.basename(output_filename)
+                )
+                implib_file = os.path.join(build_temp, self.library_filename(dll_name))
+                ld_args.append('/IMPLIB:' + implib_file)
+
+            self.manifest_setup_ldargs(output_filename, build_temp, ld_args)
+
+            if extra_preargs:
+                ld_args[:0] = extra_preargs
+            if extra_postargs:
+                ld_args.extend(extra_postargs)
+
+            self.mkpath(os.path.dirname(output_filename))
+            try:
+                self.spawn([self.linker] + ld_args)
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise LinkError(msg)
+
+            # embed the manifest
+            # XXX - this is somewhat fragile - if mt.exe fails, distutils
+            # will still consider the DLL up-to-date, but it will not have a
+            # manifest.  Maybe we should link to a temp file?  OTOH, that
+            # implies a build environment error that shouldn't go undetected.
+            mfinfo = self.manifest_get_embed_info(target_desc, ld_args)
+            if mfinfo is not None:
+                mffilename, mfid = mfinfo
+                out_arg = '-outputresource:{};{}'.format(output_filename, mfid)
+                try:
+                    self.spawn(['mt.exe', '-nologo', '-manifest', mffilename, out_arg])
+                except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                    raise LinkError(msg)
+        else:
+            log.debug("skipping %s (up-to-date)", output_filename)
+
+    def manifest_setup_ldargs(self, output_filename, build_temp, ld_args):
+        # If we need a manifest at all, an embedded manifest is recommended.
+        # See MSDN article titled
+        # "How to: Embed a Manifest Inside a C/C++ Application"
+        # (currently at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235591(VS.80).aspx)
+        # Ask the linker to generate the manifest in the temp dir, so
+        # we can check it, and possibly embed it, later.
+        temp_manifest = os.path.join(
+            build_temp, os.path.basename(output_filename) + ".manifest"
+        )
+        ld_args.append('/MANIFESTFILE:' + temp_manifest)
+
+    def manifest_get_embed_info(self, target_desc, ld_args):
+        # If a manifest should be embedded, return a tuple of
+        # (manifest_filename, resource_id).  Returns None if no manifest
+        # should be embedded.  See http://bugs.python.org/issue7833 for why
+        # we want to avoid any manifest for extension modules if we can)
+        for arg in ld_args:
+            if arg.startswith("/MANIFESTFILE:"):
+                temp_manifest = arg.split(":", 1)[1]
+                break
+        else:
+            # no /MANIFESTFILE so nothing to do.
+            return None
+        if target_desc == CCompiler.EXECUTABLE:
+            # by default, executables always get the manifest with the
+            # CRT referenced.
+            mfid = 1
+        else:
+            # Extension modules try and avoid any manifest if possible.
+            mfid = 2
+            temp_manifest = self._remove_visual_c_ref(temp_manifest)
+        if temp_manifest is None:
+            return None
+        return temp_manifest, mfid
+
+    def _remove_visual_c_ref(self, manifest_file):
+        try:
+            # Remove references to the Visual C runtime, so they will
+            # fall through to the Visual C dependency of Python.exe.
+            # This way, when installed for a restricted user (e.g.
+            # runtimes are not in WinSxS folder, but in Python's own
+            # folder), the runtimes do not need to be in every folder
+            # with .pyd's.
+            # Returns either the filename of the modified manifest or
+            # None if no manifest should be embedded.
+            manifest_f = open(manifest_file)
+            try:
+                manifest_buf = manifest_f.read()
+            finally:
+                manifest_f.close()
+            pattern = re.compile(
+                r"""<assemblyIdentity.*?name=("|')Microsoft\."""
+                r"""VC\d{2}\.CRT("|').*?(/>|</assemblyIdentity>)""",
+                re.DOTALL,
+            )
+            manifest_buf = re.sub(pattern, "", manifest_buf)
+            pattern = r"<dependentAssembly>\s*</dependentAssembly>"
+            manifest_buf = re.sub(pattern, "", manifest_buf)
+            # Now see if any other assemblies are referenced - if not, we
+            # don't want a manifest embedded.
+            pattern = re.compile(
+                r"""<assemblyIdentity.*?name=(?:"|')(.+?)(?:"|')"""
+                r""".*?(?:/>|</assemblyIdentity>)""",
+                re.DOTALL,
+            )
+            if re.search(pattern, manifest_buf) is None:
+                return None
+
+            manifest_f = open(manifest_file, 'w')
+            try:
+                manifest_f.write(manifest_buf)
+                return manifest_file
+            finally:
+                manifest_f.close()
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+    # -- Miscellaneous methods -----------------------------------------
+    # These are all used by the 'gen_lib_options() function, in
+    # ccompiler.py.
+
+    def library_dir_option(self, dir):
+        return "/LIBPATH:" + dir
+
+    def runtime_library_dir_option(self, dir):
+        raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+            "don't know how to set runtime library search path for MSVC++"
+        )
+
+    def library_option(self, lib):
+        return self.library_filename(lib)
+
+    def find_library_file(self, dirs, lib, debug=0):
+        # Prefer a debugging library if found (and requested), but deal
+        # with it if we don't have one.
+        if debug:
+            try_names = [lib + "_d", lib]
+        else:
+            try_names = [lib]
+        for dir in dirs:
+            for name in try_names:
+                libfile = os.path.join(dir, self.library_filename(name))
+                if os.path.exists(libfile):
+                    return libfile
+        else:
+            # Oops, didn't find it in *any* of 'dirs'
+            return None
+
+    # Helper methods for using the MSVC registry settings
+
+    def find_exe(self, exe):
+        """Return path to an MSVC executable program.
+
+        Tries to find the program in several places: first, one of the
+        MSVC program search paths from the registry; next, the directories
+        in the PATH environment variable.  If any of those work, return an
+        absolute path that is known to exist.  If none of them work, just
+        return the original program name, 'exe'.
+        """
+        for p in self.__paths:
+            fn = os.path.join(os.path.abspath(p), exe)
+            if os.path.isfile(fn):
+                return fn
+
+        # didn't find it; try existing path
+        for p in os.environ['Path'].split(';'):
+            fn = os.path.join(os.path.abspath(p), exe)
+            if os.path.isfile(fn):
+                return fn
+
+        return exe
diff --git a/distutils/msvccompiler.py b/distutils/msvccompiler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..51e60175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/distutils/msvccompiler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,686 @@
+"""distutils.msvccompiler
+
+Contains MSVCCompiler, an implementation of the abstract CCompiler class
+for the Microsoft Visual Studio.
+"""
+
+# Written by Perry Stoll
+# hacked by Robin Becker and Thomas Heller to do a better job of
+#   finding DevStudio (through the registry)
+
+import sys
+import os
+from distutils.errors import (
+    DistutilsExecError,
+    DistutilsPlatformError,
+    CompileError,
+    LibError,
+    LinkError,
+)
+from distutils.ccompiler import CCompiler, gen_lib_options
+from distutils import log
+
+_can_read_reg = False
+try:
+    import winreg
+
+    _can_read_reg = True
+    hkey_mod = winreg
+
+    RegOpenKeyEx = winreg.OpenKeyEx
+    RegEnumKey = winreg.EnumKey
+    RegEnumValue = winreg.EnumValue
+    RegError = winreg.error
+
+except ImportError:
+    try:
+        import win32api
+        import win32con
+
+        _can_read_reg = True
+        hkey_mod = win32con
+
+        RegOpenKeyEx = win32api.RegOpenKeyEx
+        RegEnumKey = win32api.RegEnumKey
+        RegEnumValue = win32api.RegEnumValue
+        RegError = win32api.error
+    except ImportError:
+        log.info(
+            "Warning: Can't read registry to find the "
+            "necessary compiler setting\n"
+            "Make sure that Python modules winreg, "
+            "win32api or win32con are installed."
+        )
+        pass
+
+if _can_read_reg:
+    HKEYS = (
+        hkey_mod.HKEY_USERS,
+        hkey_mod.HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
+        hkey_mod.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
+        hkey_mod.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT,
+    )
+
+
+def read_keys(base, key):
+    """Return list of registry keys."""
+    try:
+        handle = RegOpenKeyEx(base, key)
+    except RegError:
+        return None
+    L = []
+    i = 0
+    while True:
+        try:
+            k = RegEnumKey(handle, i)
+        except RegError:
+            break
+        L.append(k)
+        i += 1
+    return L
+
+
+def read_values(base, key):
+    """Return dict of registry keys and values.
+
+    All names are converted to lowercase.
+    """
+    try:
+        handle = RegOpenKeyEx(base, key)
+    except RegError:
+        return None
+    d = {}
+    i = 0
+    while True:
+        try:
+            name, value, type = RegEnumValue(handle, i)
+        except RegError:
+            break
+        name = name.lower()
+        d[convert_mbcs(name)] = convert_mbcs(value)
+        i += 1
+    return d
+
+
+def convert_mbcs(s):
+    dec = getattr(s, "decode", None)
+    if dec is not None:
+        try:
+            s = dec("mbcs")
+        except UnicodeError:
+            pass
+    return s
+
+
+class MacroExpander:
+    def __init__(self, version):
+        self.macros = {}
+        self.load_macros(version)
+
+    def set_macro(self, macro, path, key):
+        for base in HKEYS:
+            d = read_values(base, path)
+            if d:
+                self.macros["$(%s)" % macro] = d[key]
+                break
+
+    def load_macros(self, version):
+        vsbase = r"Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\%0.1f" % version
+        self.set_macro("VCInstallDir", vsbase + r"\Setup\VC", "productdir")
+        self.set_macro("VSInstallDir", vsbase + r"\Setup\VS", "productdir")
+        net = r"Software\Microsoft\.NETFramework"
+        self.set_macro("FrameworkDir", net, "installroot")
+        try:
+            if version > 7.0:
+                self.set_macro("FrameworkSDKDir", net, "sdkinstallrootv1.1")
+            else:
+                self.set_macro("FrameworkSDKDir", net, "sdkinstallroot")
+        except KeyError:
+            raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                """Python was built with Visual Studio 2003;
+extensions must be built with a compiler than can generate compatible binaries.
+Visual Studio 2003 was not found on this system. If you have Cygwin installed,
+you can try compiling with MingW32, by passing "-c mingw32" to setup.py."""
+            )
+
+        p = r"Software\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\Product"
+        for base in HKEYS:
+            try:
+                h = RegOpenKeyEx(base, p)
+            except RegError:
+                continue
+            key = RegEnumKey(h, 0)
+            d = read_values(base, r"{}\{}".format(p, key))
+            self.macros["$(FrameworkVersion)"] = d["version"]
+
+    def sub(self, s):
+        for k, v in self.macros.items():
+            s = s.replace(k, v)
+        return s
+
+
+def get_build_version():
+    """Return the version of MSVC that was used to build Python.
+
+    For Python 2.3 and up, the version number is included in
+    sys.version.  For earlier versions, assume the compiler is MSVC 6.
+    """
+    prefix = "MSC v."
+    i = sys.version.find(prefix)
+    if i == -1:
+        return 6
+    i = i + len(prefix)
+    s, rest = sys.version[i:].split(" ", 1)
+    majorVersion = int(s[:-2]) - 6
+    if majorVersion >= 13:
+        # v13 was skipped and should be v14
+        majorVersion += 1
+    minorVersion = int(s[2:3]) / 10.0
+    # I don't think paths are affected by minor version in version 6
+    if majorVersion == 6:
+        minorVersion = 0
+    if majorVersion >= 6:
+        return majorVersion + minorVersion
+    # else we don't know what version of the compiler this is
+    return None
+
+
+def get_build_architecture():
+    """Return the processor architecture.
+
+    Possible results are "Intel" or "AMD64".
+    """
+
+    prefix = " bit ("
+    i = sys.version.find(prefix)
+    if i == -1:
+        return "Intel"
+    j = sys.version.find(")", i)
+    return sys.version[i + len(prefix) : j]
+
+
+def normalize_and_reduce_paths(paths):
+    """Return a list of normalized paths with duplicates removed.
+
+    The current order of paths is maintained.
+    """
+    # Paths are normalized so things like:  /a and /a/ aren't both preserved.
+    reduced_paths = []
+    for p in paths:
+        np = os.path.normpath(p)
+        # XXX(nnorwitz): O(n**2), if reduced_paths gets long perhaps use a set.
+        if np not in reduced_paths:
+            reduced_paths.append(np)
+    return reduced_paths
+
+
+class MSVCCompiler(CCompiler):
+    """Concrete class that implements an interface to Microsoft Visual C++,
+    as defined by the CCompiler abstract class."""
+
+    compiler_type = 'msvc'
+
+    # Just set this so CCompiler's constructor doesn't barf.  We currently
+    # don't use the 'set_executables()' bureaucracy provided by CCompiler,
+    # as it really isn't necessary for this sort of single-compiler class.
+    # Would be nice to have a consistent interface with UnixCCompiler,
+    # though, so it's worth thinking about.
+    executables = {}
+
+    # Private class data (need to distinguish C from C++ source for compiler)
+    _c_extensions = ['.c']
+    _cpp_extensions = ['.cc', '.cpp', '.cxx']
+    _rc_extensions = ['.rc']
+    _mc_extensions = ['.mc']
+
+    # Needed for the filename generation methods provided by the
+    # base class, CCompiler.
+    src_extensions = _c_extensions + _cpp_extensions + _rc_extensions + _mc_extensions
+    res_extension = '.res'
+    obj_extension = '.obj'
+    static_lib_extension = '.lib'
+    shared_lib_extension = '.dll'
+    static_lib_format = shared_lib_format = '%s%s'
+    exe_extension = '.exe'
+
+    def __init__(self, verbose=0, dry_run=0, force=0):
+        super().__init__(verbose, dry_run, force)
+        self.__version = get_build_version()
+        self.__arch = get_build_architecture()
+        if self.__arch == "Intel":
+            # x86
+            if self.__version >= 7:
+                self.__root = r"Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio"
+                self.__macros = MacroExpander(self.__version)
+            else:
+                self.__root = r"Software\Microsoft\Devstudio"
+            self.__product = "Visual Studio version %s" % self.__version
+        else:
+            # Win64. Assume this was built with the platform SDK
+            self.__product = "Microsoft SDK compiler %s" % (self.__version + 6)
+
+        self.initialized = False
+
+    def initialize(self):
+        self.__paths = []
+        if (
+            "DISTUTILS_USE_SDK" in os.environ
+            and "MSSdk" in os.environ
+            and self.find_exe("cl.exe")
+        ):
+            # Assume that the SDK set up everything alright; don't try to be
+            # smarter
+            self.cc = "cl.exe"
+            self.linker = "link.exe"
+            self.lib = "lib.exe"
+            self.rc = "rc.exe"
+            self.mc = "mc.exe"
+        else:
+            self.__paths = self.get_msvc_paths("path")
+
+            if len(self.__paths) == 0:
+                raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+                    "Python was built with %s, "
+                    "and extensions need to be built with the same "
+                    "version of the compiler, but it isn't installed." % self.__product
+                )
+
+            self.cc = self.find_exe("cl.exe")
+            self.linker = self.find_exe("link.exe")
+            self.lib = self.find_exe("lib.exe")
+            self.rc = self.find_exe("rc.exe")  # resource compiler
+            self.mc = self.find_exe("mc.exe")  # message compiler
+            self.set_path_env_var('lib')
+            self.set_path_env_var('include')
+
+        # extend the MSVC path with the current path
+        try:
+            for p in os.environ['path'].split(';'):
+                self.__paths.append(p)
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+        self.__paths = normalize_and_reduce_paths(self.__paths)
+        os.environ['path'] = ";".join(self.__paths)
+
+        self.preprocess_options = None
+        if self.__arch == "Intel":
+            self.compile_options = ['/nologo', '/O2', '/MD', '/W3', '/GX', '/DNDEBUG']
+            self.compile_options_debug = [
+                '/nologo',
+                '/Od',
+                '/MDd',
+                '/W3',
+                '/GX',
+                '/Z7',
+                '/D_DEBUG',
+            ]
+        else:
+            # Win64
+            self.compile_options = ['/nologo', '/O2', '/MD', '/W3', '/GS-', '/DNDEBUG']
+            self.compile_options_debug = [
+                '/nologo',
+                '/Od',
+                '/MDd',
+                '/W3',
+                '/GS-',
+                '/Z7',
+                '/D_DEBUG',
+            ]
+
+        self.ldflags_shared = ['/DLL', '/nologo', '/INCREMENTAL:NO']
+        if self.__version >= 7:
+            self.ldflags_shared_debug = ['/DLL', '/nologo', '/INCREMENTAL:no', '/DEBUG']
+        else:
+            self.ldflags_shared_debug = [
+                '/DLL',
+                '/nologo',
+                '/INCREMENTAL:no',
+                '/pdb:None',
+                '/DEBUG',
+            ]
+        self.ldflags_static = ['/nologo']
+
+        self.initialized = True
+
+    # -- Worker methods ------------------------------------------------
+
+    def object_filenames(self, source_filenames, strip_dir=0, output_dir=''):
+        # Copied from ccompiler.py, extended to return .res as 'object'-file
+        # for .rc input file
+        if output_dir is None:
+            output_dir = ''
+        obj_names = []
+        for src_name in source_filenames:
+            (base, ext) = os.path.splitext(src_name)
+            base = os.path.splitdrive(base)[1]  # Chop off the drive
+            base = base[os.path.isabs(base) :]  # If abs, chop off leading /
+            if ext not in self.src_extensions:
+                # Better to raise an exception instead of silently continuing
+                # and later complain about sources and targets having
+                # different lengths
+                raise CompileError("Don't know how to compile %s" % src_name)
+            if strip_dir:
+                base = os.path.basename(base)
+            if ext in self._rc_extensions:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.res_extension))
+            elif ext in self._mc_extensions:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.res_extension))
+            else:
+                obj_names.append(os.path.join(output_dir, base + self.obj_extension))
+        return obj_names
+
+    def compile(  # noqa: C901
+        self,
+        sources,
+        output_dir=None,
+        macros=None,
+        include_dirs=None,
+        debug=0,
+        extra_preargs=None,
+        extra_postargs=None,
+        depends=None,
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        compile_info = self._setup_compile(
+            output_dir, macros, include_dirs, sources, depends, extra_postargs
+        )
+        macros, objects, extra_postargs, pp_opts, build = compile_info
+
+        compile_opts = extra_preargs or []
+        compile_opts.append('/c')
+        if debug:
+            compile_opts.extend(self.compile_options_debug)
+        else:
+            compile_opts.extend(self.compile_options)
+
+        for obj in objects:
+            try:
+                src, ext = build[obj]
+            except KeyError:
+                continue
+            if debug:
+                # pass the full pathname to MSVC in debug mode,
+                # this allows the debugger to find the source file
+                # without asking the user to browse for it
+                src = os.path.abspath(src)
+
+            if ext in self._c_extensions:
+                input_opt = "/Tc" + src
+            elif ext in self._cpp_extensions:
+                input_opt = "/Tp" + src
+            elif ext in self._rc_extensions:
+                # compile .RC to .RES file
+                input_opt = src
+                output_opt = "/fo" + obj
+                try:
+                    self.spawn([self.rc] + pp_opts + [output_opt] + [input_opt])
+                except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                    raise CompileError(msg)
+                continue
+            elif ext in self._mc_extensions:
+                # Compile .MC to .RC file to .RES file.
+                #   * '-h dir' specifies the directory for the
+                #     generated include file
+                #   * '-r dir' specifies the target directory of the
+                #     generated RC file and the binary message resource
+                #     it includes
+                #
+                # For now (since there are no options to change this),
+                # we use the source-directory for the include file and
+                # the build directory for the RC file and message
+                # resources. This works at least for win32all.
+                h_dir = os.path.dirname(src)
+                rc_dir = os.path.dirname(obj)
+                try:
+                    # first compile .MC to .RC and .H file
+                    self.spawn([self.mc] + ['-h', h_dir, '-r', rc_dir] + [src])
+                    base, _ = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(src))
+                    rc_file = os.path.join(rc_dir, base + '.rc')
+                    # then compile .RC to .RES file
+                    self.spawn([self.rc] + ["/fo" + obj] + [rc_file])
+
+                except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                    raise CompileError(msg)
+                continue
+            else:
+                # how to handle this file?
+                raise CompileError(
+                    "Don't know how to compile {} to {}".format(src, obj)
+                )
+
+            output_opt = "/Fo" + obj
+            try:
+                self.spawn(
+                    [self.cc]
+                    + compile_opts
+                    + pp_opts
+                    + [input_opt, output_opt]
+                    + extra_postargs
+                )
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise CompileError(msg)
+
+        return objects
+
+    def create_static_lib(
+        self, objects, output_libname, output_dir=None, debug=0, target_lang=None
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        (objects, output_dir) = self._fix_object_args(objects, output_dir)
+        output_filename = self.library_filename(output_libname, output_dir=output_dir)
+
+        if self._need_link(objects, output_filename):
+            lib_args = objects + ['/OUT:' + output_filename]
+            if debug:
+                pass  # XXX what goes here?
+            try:
+                self.spawn([self.lib] + lib_args)
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise LibError(msg)
+        else:
+            log.debug("skipping %s (up-to-date)", output_filename)
+
+    def link(  # noqa: C901
+        self,
+        target_desc,
+        objects,
+        output_filename,
+        output_dir=None,
+        libraries=None,
+        library_dirs=None,
+        runtime_library_dirs=None,
+        export_symbols=None,
+        debug=0,
+        extra_preargs=None,
+        extra_postargs=None,
+        build_temp=None,
+        target_lang=None,
+    ):
+
+        if not self.initialized:
+            self.initialize()
+        (objects, output_dir) = self._fix_object_args(objects, output_dir)
+        fixed_args = self._fix_lib_args(libraries, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs)
+        (libraries, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs) = fixed_args
+
+        if runtime_library_dirs:
+            self.warn(
+                "I don't know what to do with 'runtime_library_dirs': "
+                + str(runtime_library_dirs)
+            )
+
+        lib_opts = gen_lib_options(self, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs, libraries)
+        if output_dir is not None:
+            output_filename = os.path.join(output_dir, output_filename)
+
+        if self._need_link(objects, output_filename):
+            if target_desc == CCompiler.EXECUTABLE:
+                if debug:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared_debug[1:]
+                else:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared[1:]
+            else:
+                if debug:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared_debug
+                else:
+                    ldflags = self.ldflags_shared
+
+            export_opts = []
+            for sym in export_symbols or []:
+                export_opts.append("/EXPORT:" + sym)
+
+            ld_args = (
+                ldflags + lib_opts + export_opts + objects + ['/OUT:' + output_filename]
+            )
+
+            # The MSVC linker generates .lib and .exp files, which cannot be
+            # suppressed by any linker switches. The .lib files may even be
+            # needed! Make sure they are generated in the temporary build
+            # directory. Since they have different names for debug and release
+            # builds, they can go into the same directory.
+            if export_symbols is not None:
+                (dll_name, dll_ext) = os.path.splitext(
+                    os.path.basename(output_filename)
+                )
+                implib_file = os.path.join(
+                    os.path.dirname(objects[0]), self.library_filename(dll_name)
+                )
+                ld_args.append('/IMPLIB:' + implib_file)
+
+            if extra_preargs:
+                ld_args[:0] = extra_preargs
+            if extra_postargs:
+                ld_args.extend(extra_postargs)
+
+            self.mkpath(os.path.dirname(output_filename))
+            try:
+                self.spawn([self.linker] + ld_args)
+            except DistutilsExecError as msg:
+                raise LinkError(msg)
+
+        else:
+            log.debug("skipping %s (up-to-date)", output_filename)
+
+    # -- Miscellaneous methods -----------------------------------------
+    # These are all used by the 'gen_lib_options() function, in
+    # ccompiler.py.
+
+    def library_dir_option(self, dir):
+        return "/LIBPATH:" + dir
+
+    def runtime_library_dir_option(self, dir):
+        raise DistutilsPlatformError(
+            "don't know how to set runtime library search path for MSVC++"
+        )
+
+    def library_option(self, lib):
+        return self.library_filename(lib)
+
+    def find_library_file(self, dirs, lib, debug=0):
+        # Prefer a debugging library if found (and requested), but deal
+        # with it if we don't have one.
+        if debug:
+            try_names = [lib + "_d", lib]
+        else:
+            try_names = [lib]
+        for dir in dirs:
+            for name in try_names:
+                libfile = os.path.join(dir, self.library_filename(name))
+                if os.path.exists(libfile):
+                    return libfile
+        else:
+            # Oops, didn't find it in *any* of 'dirs'
+            return None
+
+    # Helper methods for using the MSVC registry settings
+
+    def find_exe(self, exe):
+        """Return path to an MSVC executable program.
+
+        Tries to find the program in several places: first, one of the
+        MSVC program search paths from the registry; next, the directories
+        in the PATH environment variable.  If any of those work, return an
+        absolute path that is known to exist.  If none of them work, just
+        return the original program name, 'exe'.
+        """
+        for p in self.__paths:
+            fn = os.path.join(os.path.abspath(p), exe)
+            if os.path.isfile(fn):
+                return fn
+
+        # didn't find it; try existing path
+        for p in os.environ['Path'].split(';'):
+            fn = os.path.join(os.path.abspath(p), exe)
+            if os.path.isfile(fn):
+                return fn
+
+        return exe
+
+    def get_msvc_paths(self, path, platform='x86'):
+        """Get a list of devstudio directories (include, lib or path).
+
+        Return a list of strings.  The list will be empty if unable to
+        access the registry or appropriate registry keys not found.
+        """
+        if not _can_read_reg:
+            return []
+
+        path = path + " dirs"
+        if self.__version >= 7:
+            key = r"{}\{:0.1f}\VC\VC_OBJECTS_PLATFORM_INFO\Win32\Directories".format(
+                self.__root,
+                self.__version,
+            )
+        else:
+            key = (
+                r"%s\6.0\Build System\Components\Platforms"
+                r"\Win32 (%s)\Directories" % (self.__root, platform)
+            )
+
+        for base in HKEYS:
+            d = read_values(base, key)
+            if d:
+                if self.__version >= 7:
+                    return self.__macros.sub(d[path]).split(";")
+                else:
+                    return d[path].split(";")
+        # MSVC 6 seems to create the registry entries we need only when
+        # the GUI is run.
+        if self.__version == 6:
+            for base in HKEYS:
+                if read_values(base, r"%s\6.0" % self.__root) is not None:
+                    self.warn(
+                        "It seems you have Visual Studio 6 installed, "
+                        "but the expected registry settings are not present.\n"
+                        "You must at least run the Visual Studio GUI once "
+                        "so that these entries are created."
+                    )
+                    break
+        return []
+
+    def set_path_env_var(self, name):
+        """Set environment variable 'name' to an MSVC path type value.
+
+        This is equivalent to a SET command prior to execution of spawned
+        commands.
+        """
+
+        if name == "lib":
+            p = self.get_msvc_paths("library")
+        else:
+            p = self.get_msvc_paths(name)
+        if p:
+            os.environ[name] = ';'.join(p)
+
+
+if get_build_version() >= 8.0:
+    log.debug("Importing new compiler from distutils.msvc9compiler")
+    OldMSVCCompiler = MSVCCompiler
+    from distutils.msvc9compiler import MSVCCompiler
+
+    # get_build_architecture not really relevant now we support cross-compile
+    from distutils.msvc9compiler import MacroExpander  # noqa: F811
diff --git a/distutils/tests/test_msvc9compiler.py b/distutils/tests/test_msvc9compiler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe5693e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/distutils/tests/test_msvc9compiler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+"""Tests for distutils.msvc9compiler."""
+import sys
+import os
+
+from distutils.errors import DistutilsPlatformError
+from distutils.tests import support
+import pytest
+
+# A manifest with the only assembly reference being the msvcrt assembly, so
+# should have the assembly completely stripped.  Note that although the
+# assembly has a <security> reference the assembly is removed - that is
+# currently a "feature", not a bug :)
+_MANIFEST_WITH_ONLY_MSVC_REFERENCE = """\
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
+<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"
+          manifestVersion="1.0">
+  <trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
+    <security>
+      <requestedPrivileges>
+        <requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false">
+        </requestedExecutionLevel>
+      </requestedPrivileges>
+    </security>
+  </trustInfo>
+  <dependency>
+    <dependentAssembly>
+      <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC90.CRT"
+         version="9.0.21022.8" processorArchitecture="x86"
+         publicKeyToken="XXXX">
+      </assemblyIdentity>
+    </dependentAssembly>
+  </dependency>
+</assembly>
+"""
+
+# A manifest with references to assemblies other than msvcrt.  When processed,
+# this assembly should be returned with just the msvcrt part removed.
+_MANIFEST_WITH_MULTIPLE_REFERENCES = """\
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
+<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"
+          manifestVersion="1.0">
+  <trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
+    <security>
+      <requestedPrivileges>
+        <requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false">
+        </requestedExecutionLevel>
+      </requestedPrivileges>
+    </security>
+  </trustInfo>
+  <dependency>
+    <dependentAssembly>
+      <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC90.CRT"
+         version="9.0.21022.8" processorArchitecture="x86"
+         publicKeyToken="XXXX">
+      </assemblyIdentity>
+    </dependentAssembly>
+  </dependency>
+  <dependency>
+    <dependentAssembly>
+      <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC90.MFC"
+        version="9.0.21022.8" processorArchitecture="x86"
+        publicKeyToken="XXXX"></assemblyIdentity>
+    </dependentAssembly>
+  </dependency>
+</assembly>
+"""
+
+_CLEANED_MANIFEST = """\
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
+<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"
+          manifestVersion="1.0">
+  <trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
+    <security>
+      <requestedPrivileges>
+        <requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false">
+        </requestedExecutionLevel>
+      </requestedPrivileges>
+    </security>
+  </trustInfo>
+  <dependency>
+
+  </dependency>
+  <dependency>
+    <dependentAssembly>
+      <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC90.MFC"
+        version="9.0.21022.8" processorArchitecture="x86"
+        publicKeyToken="XXXX"></assemblyIdentity>
+    </dependentAssembly>
+  </dependency>
+</assembly>"""
+
+if sys.platform == "win32":
+    from distutils.msvccompiler import get_build_version
+
+    if get_build_version() >= 8.0:
+        SKIP_MESSAGE = None
+    else:
+        SKIP_MESSAGE = "These tests are only for MSVC8.0 or above"
+else:
+    SKIP_MESSAGE = "These tests are only for win32"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif('SKIP_MESSAGE', reason=SKIP_MESSAGE)
+class Testmsvc9compiler(support.TempdirManager):
+    def test_no_compiler(self):
+        # makes sure query_vcvarsall raises
+        # a DistutilsPlatformError if the compiler
+        # is not found
+        from distutils.msvc9compiler import query_vcvarsall
+
+        def _find_vcvarsall(version):
+            return None
+
+        from distutils import msvc9compiler
+
+        old_find_vcvarsall = msvc9compiler.find_vcvarsall
+        msvc9compiler.find_vcvarsall = _find_vcvarsall
+        try:
+            with pytest.raises(DistutilsPlatformError):
+                query_vcvarsall('wont find this version')
+        finally:
+            msvc9compiler.find_vcvarsall = old_find_vcvarsall
+
+    def test_reg_class(self):
+        from distutils.msvc9compiler import Reg
+
+        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
+            Reg.get_value('xxx', 'xxx')
+
+        # looking for values that should exist on all
+        # windows registry versions.
+        path = r'Control Panel\Desktop'
+        v = Reg.get_value(path, 'dragfullwindows')
+        assert v in ('0', '1', '2')
+
+        import winreg
+
+        HKCU = winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER
+        keys = Reg.read_keys(HKCU, 'xxxx')
+        assert keys is None
+
+        keys = Reg.read_keys(HKCU, r'Control Panel')
+        assert 'Desktop' in keys
+
+    def test_remove_visual_c_ref(self):
+        from distutils.msvc9compiler import MSVCCompiler
+
+        tempdir = self.mkdtemp()
+        manifest = os.path.join(tempdir, 'manifest')
+        f = open(manifest, 'w')
+        try:
+            f.write(_MANIFEST_WITH_MULTIPLE_REFERENCES)
+        finally:
+            f.close()
+
+        compiler = MSVCCompiler()
+        compiler._remove_visual_c_ref(manifest)
+
+        # see what we got
+        f = open(manifest)
+        try:
+            # removing trailing spaces
+            content = '\n'.join([line.rstrip() for line in f.readlines()])
+        finally:
+            f.close()
+
+        # makes sure the manifest was properly cleaned
+        assert content == _CLEANED_MANIFEST
+
+    def test_remove_entire_manifest(self):
+        from distutils.msvc9compiler import MSVCCompiler
+
+        tempdir = self.mkdtemp()
+        manifest = os.path.join(tempdir, 'manifest')
+        f = open(manifest, 'w')
+        try:
+            f.write(_MANIFEST_WITH_ONLY_MSVC_REFERENCE)
+        finally:
+            f.close()
+
+        compiler = MSVCCompiler()
+        got = compiler._remove_visual_c_ref(manifest)
+        assert got is None