All executable CMake targets are shown in the **Startup Item** dropdown in the toolbar. Select one to start a debugging session and launch the debugger.

You can also start a debug session from Solution Explorer. First, switch to **CMake Targets View** in the **Solution Explorer** window.

Then, right-click on an executable and select **Debug**. This command automatically starts debugging the selected target based on your active configuration.

You can customize the debugger settings for any executable CMake target in your project. They're found in a configuration file called *launch.vs.json*, located in a *`.vs`* folder in your project root. A launch configuration file is useful in most debugging scenarios, because you can configure and save your debugging setup details. There are three entry points to this file:

It's also possible to include the Redistributable DLLs with your installer in *merge modules*. **This method is now deprecated because libraries deployed this way can't be updated automatically by Windows Update.** Redistributable merge modules, or Microsoft Installer modules (*`.msm`* files), are optional components available in the Visual Studio Installer. When installed, merge modules for the Redistributable DLLs are found in your Visual Studio installation directory under `%VCToolsRedistDir%\MergeModules\`. In Visual Studio 2015 and earlier versions of Visual Studio, these files are found in your *Program Files* or *Program Files (x86)* directory in a `Common Files\Merge Modules` subdirectory. For more information about use of these files, see [Redistributing components by using Merge Modules](redistributing-components-by-using-merge-modules.md).