1. Stack Overflow

Difference between 'Windows Console Application' and 'Empty Project' in VS C++

Windows Console Application

• Has stuff added to the project to make it run smoother with the Window's command prompt.
• Will already have the main function and useful things. If I make an empty project, I will have to make them myself.

Empty Project

• The compiled project will not run on another OS, by default. I will have to recompile for each OS I want to work with.

2. Visual Studio forum

Whats the difference between an Empty Project and Win32 Application?

Windows Console Application

• Prepares the basic issues of an application: resources (icons, dialog name, dialog menu), existing definitions (prepared header file), entry point (WinMain), other WndProc function and forth.
• The AppWizard creates files for an actual application that will compile and run (but do nothing). For an empty project, I will have to create all the files myself.

Empty Project

• Does not prepare job of these coding resources.

3. Quora

What is the difference between empty project and console application in an IDE?

Windows Console Application

• Console Application contains all the framework & boilerplate for a Console (DOS Box) application... not that there's much, but at least you can snap out a "Hello, World" in it