Quick Guide to compileing without Visual Studio. This method requires that the source folder contains glut.h and glut.lib. The source file headers should be #include <windows.h> #include 'glut.h' and whatever after that. Using gcc or g++ compiler from Mingw install. Type Mysys in start menu to open up terminal. Naviagte to source folder. To compile a source code 'main.cpp', type the following in the terminal" g++ -o main1 -Wall main.cpp glut32.lib -lopengl32 -lglu32 This produces a main1.exe in the same folder as the source. It may also require that glut.h be placed in 'include/GL' folder of MinGw Variations of this may work,perhaps with less arguments. References: http://www.opengl.org/wiki/MinGW https://users.cs.jmu.edu/bernstdh/web/common/help/cpp_mingw-glut-setup.php