What is TARGETS? TARGETS is used as the file extension for MSBuild Targets files. .TARGETS files are XML files that are used to define build processes for the MSBuild tool on Windows. See the sample .TARGETS file included below.

File Extension: .TARGETS

MIME Type: text/xml

File Content: MSBuild Targets

.TARGETS files are MSBuild Targets files, that are used to define build processes for the MSBuild tool on Windows. Here is a sample .TARGETS MSBuild Targets file, Microsoft.NETFramework.targets:

<!--
****************************************************************************
Microsoft.NETFramework.targets

WARNING:  DO NOT MODIFY this file unless you are knowledgeable about MSBuild
   and have created a backup copy.  Incorrect changes to this file will make 
   it impossible to load or build your projects from the command-line or the
   IDE.

This file contains .net framework specific properties, items and targets. 
They are factored into a Microsoft.NETFramework.targets and 
Microsoft.NetFramework.props these two files are used to encapsulate the 
multi-targeting and framework specific build process.

Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
****************************************************************************
-->

<Project xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <PropertyGroup>
     <ImportByWildcardBeforeMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets 
     Condition="'$(ImportByWildcardBeforeMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets)' == ''">
     true</ImportByWildcardBeforeMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets>
     <ImportByWildcardAfterMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets 
     Condition="'$(ImportByWildcardAfterMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets)' == ''">
     true</ImportByWildcardAfterMicrosoftNetFrameworkTargets>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <Import Project="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\$(MSBuild...
  ...
</Project>

.TARGETS MSBuild Targets file sample: Click sample.targets to download.

Since .TARGETS files are in text format, you can use Notepad or any text editor to create or modify them. No special software is needed.

For for information on how to use .TARGETS MSBuild Targets files, see links below:

• MSBuild .Targets Files