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Is that needed because the compiler accesses some higher privileged APIs?

The MSVC-based compiler doesn't come with a linker, so you need the MSVC build tools to get it. One of the ways to get the build tools is to install Visual Studio, which is fairly large.

You don't need the whole Visual Studio installation, only MSVC build tools and Windows SDK. See here: https://rust-lang.github.io/rustup/installation/windows-msvc...

Those are still huge though, for some reason.

Why would a compiler needs any privileges, it's like a text editor

In widows, you get bonus points if your program needs administrative rights

I don't know. That's why I'm asking

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