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> Historically they also ship compilers and command line dev tools as a separate package, I'm not sure if that's still a thing.

It's still a thing: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/

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Note that while the download page and tools don't perform license checks, you are supposed to have a visual studio license to use that package[1]. It is intended as an easy way for VS customers to install tools on build machines and the like without doing a full VS install, not a way for non-customers to get a free compiler. Individuals can get a free license to VS community that would include this package[2], but commercial use requires a paid license.

[1] https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#build-tools-fo...

[2] https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/community/

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