npm install gyp error with c++ build tools error .

If you get into this below error,

C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\V140\Microsoft.Cpp.Platform.targets(57,5): error MSB8020: The build tools for v120 (Platform Toolset = 'v120') cannot be found. To build using the v120 build tools, please install v120 build tools.  Alternatively, you may upgrade to the current Visual Studio tools by selecting the Project menu or right-click the solution, and then selecting "Retarget solution". [C:\Users\asdds\Documents\W\node_modules\memwatch\build\memwatch.vcxproj]
gyp ERR! build error
gyp ERR! stack Error: `C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\14.0\bin\msbuild.exe` failed with exit code: 1
gyp ERR! stack     at ChildProcess.onExit (C:\Program Files\nodejs\node_modules\npm\node_modules\node-gyp\lib\build.js:276:23)
gyp ERR! stack     at emitTwo (events.js:106:13)
gyp ERR! stack     at ChildProcess.emit (events.js:191:7)
gyp ERR! stack     at Process.ChildProcess._handle.onexit (internal/child_process.js:219:12)
gyp ERR! System Windows_NT 10.0.15063
gyp ERR! command "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node.exe" "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node_modules\\npm\\node_modules\\node-gyp\\bin\\node-gyp.js" "rebuild" 

Do not do these,

- installing Visual Studio 2013 build tool  ( This will not have a C++ compiler / folder)
- installing npm windows build tool (which ONLY INSTALLS VS 2015 TOOLS)
- installing VC++ redistributable

Do this,

- install Visual studio 2013.
Link: https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/older-downloads/   ( you will have to login)

To install "Visual Studio express 2013 with update 5 " in Windows 10 you have to follow these steps.

- Try run the downloaded file . 
It will show 'compatibility mode  is on. Trun it off to run this setup' .  
If you get this error. Right click on this file and open 'Properities > compatibility tab > Run this program in compatibility mode for - windows 8..' > apply. 

Even after this didn't work, check an d clean up other packages related to Visual Studio 2013.


- do either one of these,

npm config msvs_version  2013

set VCTargetsPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\V120

npm config list   
will show,
globalconfig
msvs_version = "2013"

set GYP_MSVS_VERSION=2013 

Now try your 'npm install ' 

Do you think it will work ?!  No, there are ton of npm packages that are very old and without any support , dependencies will break. Sorry.  Look for your alternative.

But if you succeed after all this, you will in the next ! All the best.