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

# Compilation

> Build SharpWMI from source code

## Build Requirements

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Visual Studio" icon="code">
    Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition or later
  </Card>

  <Card title=".NET Framework" icon="microsoft">
    .NET Framework 3.5 (default target)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  SharpWMI has been built against .NET Framework 3.5 for maximum compatibility with older Windows systems. You can retarget to .NET 4.0 or later if needed.
</Note>

## Compilation Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Clone the Repository">
    ```bash theme={null}
    git clone https://github.com/GhostPack/SharpWMI.git
    cd SharpWMI
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open in Visual Studio">
    Open the `SharpWMI.sln` solution file in Visual Studio:

    ```bash theme={null}
    start SharpWMI.sln
    ```

    Or use the File menu in Visual Studio:

    * File → Open → Project/Solution
    * Navigate to `SharpWMI.sln`
    * Click Open
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Build Configuration">
    Choose the **Release** configuration for production builds:

    1. In the toolbar, locate the configuration dropdown (typically shows "Debug")
    2. Change it to **Release**
    3. Ensure the platform is set to **Any CPU** or **x64** as appropriate
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build the Solution">
    Build the project:

    * **Menu:** Build → Build Solution
    * **Keyboard:** Ctrl + Shift + B

    The compiled binary will be located at:

    ```
    SharpWMI\bin\Release\SharpWMI.exe
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the Build">
    Test the compiled binary:

    ```bash theme={null}
    SharpWMI.exe
    ```

    You should see the usage information displayed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Build Configurations

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Release Build">
    **Recommended for operational use:**

    * Optimized code
    * No debug symbols
    * Smaller file size
    * Better performance

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Build location
    SharpWMI\bin\Release\SharpWMI.exe
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Debug Build">
    **For development and troubleshooting:**

    * Debug symbols included
    * No optimizations
    * Larger file size
    * Easier to debug

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Build location
    SharpWMI\bin\Debug\SharpWMI.exe
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Retargeting .NET Framework Version

If you need to target a different .NET Framework version:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Project Properties">
    * Right-click on the SharpWMI project in Solution Explorer
    * Select **Properties**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change Target Framework">
    * Navigate to the **Application** tab
    * In the **Target framework** dropdown, select your desired version:
      * .NET Framework 3.5 (default)
      * .NET Framework 4.0
      * .NET Framework 4.5
      * .NET Framework 4.6 or later
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rebuild">
    Rebuild the solution after changing the target framework:

    ```
    Build → Rebuild Solution
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Targeting newer .NET Framework versions may reduce compatibility with older Windows systems. .NET Framework 3.5 provides the widest compatibility.
</Warning>

## Command-Line Build

You can also build SharpWMI using MSBuild from the command line:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Using MSBuild">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Locate MSBuild (Visual Studio 2019+ example)
    cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\MSBuild\Current\Bin"

    # Build Release configuration
    .\MSBuild.exe C:\Path\To\SharpWMI\SharpWMI.sln /p:Configuration=Release

    # Build Debug configuration
    .\MSBuild.exe C:\Path\To\SharpWMI\SharpWMI.sln /p:Configuration=Debug
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Using Developer Command Prompt">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Open "Developer Command Prompt for VS"
    # Navigate to SharpWMI directory
    cd C:\Path\To\SharpWMI

    # Build Release
    msbuild SharpWMI.sln /p:Configuration=Release

    # Build with verbose output
    msbuild SharpWMI.sln /p:Configuration=Release /v:detailed
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Code Signing (Optional)

For operational security, you may want to sign the compiled binary:

<Accordion title="Generate Self-Signed Certificate">
  ```powershell theme={null}
  # Create self-signed certificate
  $cert = New-SelfSignedCertificate -DnsName "CompanyName" -Type CodeSigning -CertStoreLocation Cert:\CurrentUser\My

  # Export certificate
  Export-Certificate -Cert $cert -FilePath ".\CodeSignCert.cer"
  ```
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Sign the Binary">
  ```powershell theme={null}
  # Sign using signtool (Windows SDK)
  signtool sign /a /t http://timestamp.digicert.com /fd SHA256 SharpWMI.exe

  # Or using PowerShell
  Set-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath "SharpWMI.exe" -Certificate $cert
  ```
</Accordion>

<Note>
  Self-signed certificates won't bypass security controls but may help with application whitelisting in some environments.
</Note>

## Obfuscation (Optional)

Consider obfuscating the binary for operational use:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="ConfuserEx" icon="shield">
    Free .NET obfuscator

    * Rename symbols
    * Control flow obfuscation
    * String encryption
  </Card>

  <Card title="InvisibilityCloak" icon="user-secret">
    C# obfuscation specifically for offensive tools

    * Randomizes method names
    * Encrypts strings
    * Compatible with offensive tooling
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  Heavy obfuscation may cause runtime issues or increase detection by behavioral analysis. Test thoroughly after obfuscation.
</Warning>

## Troubleshooting Build Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Missing .NET Framework 3.5">
    **Error:** "The reference assemblies for framework .NETFramework,Version=v3.5 were not found"

    **Solution:**

    ```powershell theme={null}
    # Enable .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows
    DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All

    # Or download from Microsoft
    # Visual Studio Installer → Modify → Individual Components → .NET Framework 3.5
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="NuGet Package Restore Failed">
    **Error:** "NuGet package restore failed"

    **Solution:**

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Restore NuGet packages manually
    nuget restore SharpWMI.sln

    # Or in Visual Studio
    # Tools → NuGet Package Manager → Restore NuGet Packages
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Build Errors After Retargeting">
    **Error:** Various compilation errors after changing target framework

    **Solution:**

    1. Clean the solution: Build → Clean Solution
    2. Delete `bin` and `obj` folders
    3. Rebuild: Build → Rebuild Solution
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="MSBuild Not Found">
    **Error:** "MSBuild is not recognized as an internal or external command"

    **Solution:**

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Add MSBuild to PATH or use full path
    # Visual Studio 2019 example:
    set PATH=%PATH%;C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\MSBuild\Current\Bin

    # Or use Developer Command Prompt for VS
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Build Automation

Example PowerShell script to automate the build process:

```powershell theme={null}
# build.ps1
$SolutionPath = "C:\Path\To\SharpWMI\SharpWMI.sln"
$Configuration = "Release"
$OutputPath = "C:\Output"

# Locate MSBuild
$MSBuild = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\MSBuild\Current\Bin\MSBuild.exe"

if (-not (Test-Path $MSBuild)) {
    Write-Error "MSBuild not found at $MSBuild"
    exit 1
}

# Clean previous builds
& $MSBuild $SolutionPath /t:Clean /p:Configuration=$Configuration

# Build solution
& $MSBuild $SolutionPath /t:Build /p:Configuration=$Configuration

if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) {
    Write-Host "Build succeeded" -ForegroundColor Green

    # Copy to output directory
    $SourceBinary = "SharpWMI\bin\$Configuration\SharpWMI.exe"
    Copy-Item $SourceBinary -Destination $OutputPath
    Write-Host "Binary copied to $OutputPath" -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
    Write-Error "Build failed with exit code $LASTEXITCODE"
    exit $LASTEXITCODE
}
```

## Pre-Built Binaries

<Warning>
  The SharpWMI authors do **not** release pre-compiled binaries. You must build from source.
</Warning>

This is intentional to:

* Prevent malware distribution
* Ensure you review the code
* Allow customization for your environment
* Avoid antivirus signatures on official releases

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Usage Guide" icon="book" href="/ghostpack-docs/SharpWMI-mdx/usage">
    Learn how to use SharpWMI effectively
  </Card>

  <Card title="WMI Queries" icon="database" href="/ghostpack-docs/SharpWMI-mdx/actions/query">
    Start with WMI enumeration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remote Execution" icon="terminal" href="/ghostpack-docs/SharpWMI-mdx/actions/exec">
    Execute processes remotely
  </Card>

  <Card title="Overview" icon="home" href="/ghostpack-docs/SharpWMI-mdx/overview">
    Return to overview
  </Card>
</CardGroup>