Fix the 'linker link.exe not found' error on Windows by installing the Visual Studio C++ Build Tools.
The error occurs because the Rust compiler cannot find the Windows linker toolchain required to build your project. Install the C++ Build Tools for Visual Studio to provide the missing link.exe.
powershell -Command "winget install Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools"
After installation, run rustup update and rebuild your project.
Your Rust code needs a special helper program called a linker to turn your code into a working application. This error means that helper is missing from your computer. Installing the Visual Studio Build Tools adds this missing piece so your code can run.