Missing build configuration dropdown in Visual Studio 2008

Build configuration dropdown

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My project is using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 for development. For some strange reason the build configuration dropdown does not show up by default in the IDE.

I found the following procedure online and very helpful. It describes how to get this useful dropdown visible:

1. In Visual Studio 2008, click “Tools” -> “Options”
2. Under “Projects and Solutions” -> “General”, check “Show advanced build options”, and click “OK”
3. Right click anywhere in the blank space of the toolbar and click “Customize…”
4. In “Commands” tab, select “Build” in “Categories”.
5. Scroll the right listbox to the bottom and drag “Solution Configurations” to the toolbar