diff --git a/3rdparty/bzip2/bzip2.vcxproj b/3rdparty/bzip2/bzip2.vcxproj
index dc21f66c17..05de604a5d 100644
--- a/3rdparty/bzip2/bzip2.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/bzip2/bzip2.vcxproj
@@ -24,18 +24,18 @@
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     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/libjpeg/libjpeg.vcxproj b/3rdparty/libjpeg/libjpeg.vcxproj
index 921eb939c9..58d600929c 100644
--- a/3rdparty/libjpeg/libjpeg.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/libjpeg/libjpeg.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/libpng/projects/vstudio/libpng/libpng.vcxproj b/3rdparty/libpng/projects/vstudio/libpng/libpng.vcxproj
index ae29be675f..4060283640 100644
--- a/3rdparty/libpng/projects/vstudio/libpng/libpng.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/libpng/projects/vstudio/libpng/libpng.vcxproj
@@ -23,19 +23,19 @@
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     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/opencl/opencl.vcxproj b/3rdparty/opencl/opencl.vcxproj
index 8fd86bd5e0..1c5c97e1fe 100644
--- a/3rdparty/opencl/opencl.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/opencl/opencl.vcxproj
@@ -27,26 +27,26 @@
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     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseDebugLibraries>true</UseDebugLibraries>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseDebugLibraries>false</UseDebugLibraries>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
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diff --git a/3rdparty/portaudio/build/msvc/portaudio.vcxproj b/3rdparty/portaudio/build/msvc/portaudio.vcxproj
index 62aa3eb6ed..fd49303764 100644
--- a/3rdparty/portaudio/build/msvc/portaudio.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/portaudio/build/msvc/portaudio.vcxproj
@@ -43,51 +43,51 @@
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     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release (NO ASIO)|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug (NO ASIO)|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release (NO ASIO)|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
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   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
diff --git a/3rdparty/pthreads4w/build/pthreads4w.vcxproj b/3rdparty/pthreads4w/build/pthreads4w.vcxproj
index 85211ae382..317e8f1574 100644
--- a/3rdparty/pthreads4w/build/pthreads4w.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/pthreads4w/build/pthreads4w.vcxproj
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
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   <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <UseDebugLibraries Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">true</UseDebugLibraries>
     <UseDebugLibraries Condition="'$(Configuration)'!='Debug'">false</UseDebugLibraries>
     <WholeProgramOptimization Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">true</WholeProgramOptimization>
diff --git a/3rdparty/soundtouch/SoundTouch.vcxproj b/3rdparty/soundtouch/SoundTouch.vcxproj
index 9e8a4767b9..9a8a43d862 100644
--- a/3rdparty/soundtouch/SoundTouch.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/soundtouch/SoundTouch.vcxproj
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
   <PropertyGroup Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <UseDebugLibraries Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'">true</UseDebugLibraries>
     <UseDebugLibraries Condition="'$(Configuration)'!='Debug'">false</UseDebugLibraries>
     <WholeProgramOptimization Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'">true</WholeProgramOptimization>
diff --git a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_adv.vcxproj b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_adv.vcxproj
index ac275d4fa7..52a810d697 100644
--- a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_adv.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_adv.vcxproj
@@ -35,41 +35,41 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_base.vcxproj b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_base.vcxproj
index b0d80249e0..3865282229 100644
--- a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_base.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_base.vcxproj
@@ -35,41 +35,41 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_config.vcxproj b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_config.vcxproj
index ffe5a52d26..076ca30326 100644
--- a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_config.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_config.vcxproj
@@ -35,37 +35,37 @@
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Utility</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_core.vcxproj b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_core.vcxproj
index bcaa7355c0..58fa536884 100644
--- a/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_core.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/wxwidgets3.0/build/msw/wx30_core.vcxproj
@@ -35,41 +35,41 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/3rdparty/zlib/zlib.vcxproj b/3rdparty/zlib/zlib.vcxproj
index 54d9046811..4b386eb148 100644
--- a/3rdparty/zlib/zlib.vcxproj
+++ b/3rdparty/zlib/zlib.vcxproj
@@ -24,18 +24,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/common/build/Utilities/utilities.vcxproj b/common/build/Utilities/utilities.vcxproj
index 91d0c767db..4cbe32d182 100644
--- a/common/build/Utilities/utilities.vcxproj
+++ b/common/build/Utilities/utilities.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/common/build/x86emitter/x86emitter.vcxproj b/common/build/x86emitter/x86emitter.vcxproj
index 61522868cd..ee4b6ec443 100644
--- a/common/build/x86emitter/x86emitter.vcxproj
+++ b/common/build/x86emitter/x86emitter.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
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+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
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   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>StaticLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/common/include/PS2Eext.h b/common/include/PS2Eext.h
index 2442866e7d..a5f607ae98 100644
--- a/common/include/PS2Eext.h
+++ b/common/include/PS2Eext.h
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@
 #include <cstdarg>
 
 #if defined(_MSC_VER)
+#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
+#endif
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <windowsx.h>
 #include <commctrl.h>
diff --git a/common/include/Utilities/RedtapeWindows.h b/common/include/Utilities/RedtapeWindows.h
index 4a686052ba..6850e9156e 100644
--- a/common/include/Utilities/RedtapeWindows.h
+++ b/common/include/Utilities/RedtapeWindows.h
@@ -31,14 +31,13 @@
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
 
-// Force availability of to WinNT APIs (change to 0x600 to disable XP-specific APIs)
-#ifndef WINVER
-#define WINVER 0x0501
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0501
+#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #endif
 
 #include <windows.h>
 
+// TODO: I think NOMINMAX above takes care of this already. So these can probably be removed.
 // disable Windows versions of min/max -- we'll use the typesafe STL versions instead.
 #undef min
 #undef max
diff --git a/pcsx2/windows/VCprojects/pcsx2.vcxproj b/pcsx2/windows/VCprojects/pcsx2.vcxproj
index 4306dc26e2..da1b86e1fc 100644
--- a/pcsx2/windows/VCprojects/pcsx2.vcxproj
+++ b/pcsx2/windows/VCprojects/pcsx2.vcxproj
@@ -25,20 +25,20 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/CDVDiso/src/Windows/CDVDiso.vcxproj b/plugins/CDVDiso/src/Windows/CDVDiso.vcxproj
index 46eeae0307..6ae647ac79 100644
--- a/plugins/CDVDiso/src/Windows/CDVDiso.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/CDVDiso/src/Windows/CDVDiso.vcxproj
@@ -25,20 +25,20 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/CDVDnull/CDVD.h b/plugins/CDVDnull/CDVD.h
index a23f45a9a3..264a9a5b74 100644
--- a/plugins/CDVDnull/CDVD.h
+++ b/plugins/CDVDnull/CDVD.h
@@ -17,19 +17,10 @@
  #ifndef __CDVD_H__
 #define __CDVD_H__
 
-#ifdef _WIN32
-#include <windows.h>
-#endif
-
 #define CDVDdefs
 #include "PS2Edefs.h"
 #include "PS2Eext.h"
 
-#ifdef _MSC_VER
-#include <windows.h>
-#include <windowsx.h>
-#endif
-
 /*#ifdef _MSC_VER
 #define EXPORT_C_(type) extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) type CALLBACK
 #else
diff --git a/plugins/CDVDnull/Windows/CDVDnull.vcxproj b/plugins/CDVDnull/Windows/CDVDnull.vcxproj
index 6ddb841baa..c0140d690b 100644
--- a/plugins/CDVDnull/Windows/CDVDnull.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/CDVDnull/Windows/CDVDnull.vcxproj
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/CDVDolio/CDVDolio.vcxproj b/plugins/CDVDolio/CDVDolio.vcxproj
index 810f62bc35..6f8618363a 100644
--- a/plugins/CDVDolio/CDVDolio.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/CDVDolio/CDVDolio.vcxproj
@@ -30,26 +30,26 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>Static</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/FWnull/Windows/FWnull.vcxproj b/plugins/FWnull/Windows/FWnull.vcxproj
index 21cbd14acc..f006554a7f 100644
--- a/plugins/FWnull/Windows/FWnull.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/FWnull/Windows/FWnull.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSdx.vcxproj b/plugins/GSdx/GSdx.vcxproj
index ee2f82065f..33c82d1617 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSdx.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSdx.vcxproj
@@ -93,112 +93,112 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release AVX|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release AVX2|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug SSE4|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug AVX|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug AVX2|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug SSSE3|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release SSSE3|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release SSE4|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release AVX|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release AVX2|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug SSE4|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug AVX|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug AVX2|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug SSSE3|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release SSSE3|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/targetver.h b/plugins/GSdx/targetver.h
index 95461871f8..ba3f81934a 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/targetver.h
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/targetver.h
@@ -20,37 +20,5 @@
  */
 
 #pragma once
-/*
-// Including SDKDDKVer.h defines the highest available Windows platform.
 
-// If you wish to build your application for a previous Windows platform, include WinSDKVer.h and
-// set the _WIN32_WINNT macro to the platform you wish to support before including SDKDDKVer.h.
-
-#include <SDKDDKVer.h>
-*/
-
-// The following macros define the minimum required platform.  The minimum required platform
-// is the earliest version of Windows, Internet Explorer etc. that has the necessary features to run
-// your application.  The macros work by enabling all features available on platform versions up to and
-// including the version specified.
-
-// Modify the following defines if you have to target a platform prior to the ones specified below.
-// Refer to MSDN for the latest info on corresponding values for different platforms.
-
-#ifndef WINVER                          // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows Vista.
-#define WINVER 0x0600           // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT            // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows Vista.
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600     // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_WINDOWS          // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows 98.
-#define _WIN32_WINDOWS 0x0410 // Change this to the appropriate value to target Windows Me or later.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_IE                       // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Internet Explorer 7.0.
-#define _WIN32_IE 0x0700        // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of IE.
-#endif
-
-#include <WinSDKVer.h>
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
index 0a13416da1..fa802053ae 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <ClCompile>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WINDOWS;_WIN32_WINNT=0x501;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <FloatingPointModel>Fast</FloatingPointModel>
       <RuntimeTypeInfo>false</RuntimeTypeInfo>
       <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
diff --git a/plugins/GSnull/Windows/GSnull.vcxproj b/plugins/GSnull/Windows/GSnull.vcxproj
index fefeb9508f..8af5181cf3 100644
--- a/plugins/GSnull/Windows/GSnull.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/GSnull/Windows/GSnull.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/LilyPad/Global.h b/plugins/LilyPad/Global.h
index a2e8512e0e..e3f0df4de7 100644
--- a/plugins/LilyPad/Global.h
+++ b/plugins/LilyPad/Global.h
@@ -97,13 +97,7 @@ extern Window  GSwin;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
-// Actually works with 0x0400, but need 0x500 to get XBUTTON defines,
-// 0x501 to get raw input structures, and 0x0600 to get WM_MOUSEHWHEEL.
-#define WINVER 0x0600
-#define _WIN32_WINNT WINVER
-#define __MSCW32__
-
-
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include <windows.h>
 
 #ifdef PCSX2_DEBUG
diff --git a/plugins/LilyPad/LilyPad.vcxproj b/plugins/LilyPad/LilyPad.vcxproj
index 58b08e4b0e..0868b65c6b 100644
--- a/plugins/LilyPad/LilyPad.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/LilyPad/LilyPad.vcxproj
@@ -29,26 +29,26 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -342,4 +342,4 @@
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
   </ImportGroup>
-</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
+</Project>
diff --git a/plugins/PadNull/Windows/PadNull.vcxproj b/plugins/PadNull/Windows/PadNull.vcxproj
index a652715639..c767664276 100644
--- a/plugins/PadNull/Windows/PadNull.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/PadNull/Windows/PadNull.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/SSSPSXPAD/PadSSSPSX.vcxproj b/plugins/SSSPSXPAD/PadSSSPSX.vcxproj
index b8d18a120b..3b825fe0cd 100644
--- a/plugins/SSSPSXPAD/PadSSSPSX.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/SSSPSXPAD/PadSSSPSX.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/USBnull/Windows/USBnull.vcxproj b/plugins/USBnull/Windows/USBnull.vcxproj
index 11b64e955b..dcacadbbbb 100644
--- a/plugins/USBnull/Windows/USBnull.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/USBnull/Windows/USBnull.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/USBqemu/Win32/USBqemu.vcxproj b/plugins/USBqemu/Win32/USBqemu.vcxproj
index 3cdbc4323e..cd0f841e3f 100644
--- a/plugins/USBqemu/Win32/USBqemu.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/USBqemu/Win32/USBqemu.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/CDVD.h b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/CDVD.h
index 5f80274426..e2d96a6d5f 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/CDVD.h
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/CDVD.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #ifndef __CDVD_H__
 #define __CDVD_H__
 
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/PlainIso.cpp b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/PlainIso.cpp
index 152b7abd73..451e1583bb 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/PlainIso.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/PlainIso.cpp
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
  *  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#undef _WIN32_WINNT
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include "CDVD.h"
 #pragma warning(disable:4200)
 #pragma pack(1)
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/IOCtlSrc.cpp b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/IOCtlSrc.cpp
index d505342ac0..d9bb73b7c0 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/IOCtlSrc.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/IOCtlSrc.cpp
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
  *  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#undef _WIN32_WINNT
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include "../CDVD.h"
 #pragma warning(disable:4200)
 #pragma pack(1)
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/PlainIso.cpp b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/PlainIso.cpp
index 0ec221bb5a..b5c6430810 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/PlainIso.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/PlainIso.cpp
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
  *  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#undef _WIN32_WINNT
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include "../CDVD.h"
 #pragma warning(disable:4200)
 #pragma pack(1)
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/cdvdGigaherz.vcxproj b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/cdvdGigaherz.vcxproj
index 006973b177..cebcba6929 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/cdvdGigaherz.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/cdvdGigaherz.vcxproj
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/config.cpp b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/config.cpp
index 272b706eb7..420149321f 100644
--- a/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/config.cpp
+++ b/plugins/cdvdGigaherz/src/Windows/config.cpp
@@ -15,13 +15,12 @@
 //License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
 //Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA
 //
-//#include "spu2.h"
-#include <windows.h>
+
+#include "../CDVD.h"
+#include <Windows.h>
 #include <commctrl.h>
 #include "resource.h"
 
-#include "../cdvd.h"
-
 // Config Vars
 
 // DEBUG
diff --git a/plugins/dev9ghzdrk/Win32/DEV9ghzdrk.vcxproj b/plugins/dev9ghzdrk/Win32/DEV9ghzdrk.vcxproj
index 7cf4a293ca..4258654f42 100644
--- a/plugins/dev9ghzdrk/Win32/DEV9ghzdrk.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/dev9ghzdrk/Win32/DEV9ghzdrk.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/dev9null/Windows/DEV9null.vcxproj b/plugins/dev9null/Windows/DEV9null.vcxproj
index a3d1417e61..ec5cf669ba 100644
--- a/plugins/dev9null/Windows/DEV9null.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/dev9null/Windows/DEV9null.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/Spu2-X.vcxproj b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/Spu2-X.vcxproj
index 573e914ebe..5a0be3f7f8 100644
--- a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/Spu2-X.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/Spu2-X.vcxproj
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <UseOfAtl>Static</UseOfAtl>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@
     <UseOfAtl>Static</UseOfAtl>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='DebugStrict|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <UseOfAtl>Static</UseOfAtl>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
     <UseOfAtl>Static</UseOfAtl>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/WinConfig.h b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/WinConfig.h
index 1c2cd5598a..269ff0c465 100644
--- a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/WinConfig.h
+++ b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/WinConfig.h
@@ -17,11 +17,9 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#ifndef WINVER
-#	define WINVER 0x0501
-#	define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0501
+#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #endif
-
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <mmsystem.h>
 #include <commctrl.h>
diff --git a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/dsp.cpp b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/dsp.cpp
index 075283283c..db8debf23e 100644
--- a/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/dsp.cpp
+++ b/plugins/spu2-x/src/Windows/dsp.cpp
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@
 
 #include "Global.h"
 
-#	define WINVER 0x0501
-#	define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0501
-
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <mmsystem.h>
 
diff --git a/plugins/xpad/stdafx.h b/plugins/xpad/stdafx.h
index 5576f8097d..79ef23aede 100644
--- a/plugins/xpad/stdafx.h
+++ b/plugins/xpad/stdafx.h
@@ -4,33 +4,9 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#pragma warning(disable: 4996 4995 4324 4100 4101 4201)
+#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
 
-// The following macros define the minimum required platform.  The minimum required platform
-// is the earliest version of Windows, Internet Explorer etc. that has the necessary features to run
-// your application.  The macros work by enabling all features available on platform versions up to and
-// including the version specified.
-
-// Modify the following defines if you have to target a platform prior to the ones specified below.
-// Refer to MSDN for the latest info on corresponding values for different platforms.
-
-#ifndef WINVER                          // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows Vista.
-#define WINVER 0x0600           // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT            // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows Vista.
-#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600     // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_WINDOWS          // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Windows 98.
-#define _WIN32_WINDOWS 0x0410 // Change this to the appropriate value to target Windows Me or later.
-#endif
-
-#ifndef _WIN32_IE                       // Specifies that the minimum required platform is Internet Explorer 7.0.
-#define _WIN32_IE 0x0700        // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of IE.
-#endif
-
-#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN             // Exclude rarely-used stuff from Windows headers
+#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0600
 
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <commctrl.h>
diff --git a/plugins/xpad/vsprops/common.props b/plugins/xpad/vsprops/common.props
index a061cc9fef..2698a1f853 100644
--- a/plugins/xpad/vsprops/common.props
+++ b/plugins/xpad/vsprops/common.props
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <ClCompile>
       <IntrinsicFunctions>true</IntrinsicFunctions>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;_WINDOWS;_WIN32_WINNT=0x500;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-      <FloatingPointModel>Fast</FloatingPointModel>
       <RuntimeTypeInfo>false</RuntimeTypeInfo>
       <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
diff --git a/plugins/xpad/xpad.vcxproj b/plugins/xpad/xpad.vcxproj
index 270cbf0671..2ee5c83090 100644
--- a/plugins/xpad/xpad.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/xpad/xpad.vcxproj
@@ -30,26 +30,26 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
@@ -175,4 +175,4 @@
       <UserProperties RESOURCE_FILE="xpad.rc" />
     </VisualStudio>
   </ProjectExtensions>
-</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
+</Project>
diff --git a/plugins/zerogs/dx/Windows/zerogs.vcxproj b/plugins/zerogs/dx/Windows/zerogs.vcxproj
index 2d1bd65bd5..98cc7b2658 100644
--- a/plugins/zerogs/dx/Windows/zerogs.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/zerogs/dx/Windows/zerogs.vcxproj
@@ -25,19 +25,19 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/zerospu2/Windows/ZeroSPU2.vcxproj b/plugins/zerospu2/Windows/ZeroSPU2.vcxproj
index c1c764f3d6..330f639bb9 100644
--- a/plugins/zerospu2/Windows/ZeroSPU2.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/zerospu2/Windows/ZeroSPU2.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>false</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/plugins/zzogl-pg/opengl/Win32/zerogsogl.vcxproj b/plugins/zzogl-pg/opengl/Win32/zerogsogl.vcxproj
index 8c6fe85437..8f63697d4f 100644
--- a/plugins/zzogl-pg/opengl/Win32/zerogsogl.vcxproj
+++ b/plugins/zzogl-pg/opengl/Win32/zerogsogl.vcxproj
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Devel|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>DynamicLibrary</ConfigurationType>
     <UseOfMfc>false</UseOfMfc>
     <CharacterSet>Unicode</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">
diff --git a/tools/bin2cpp/bin2c.vcxproj b/tools/bin2cpp/bin2c.vcxproj
index 59dc4cc1f6..627e86ad9f 100644
--- a/tools/bin2cpp/bin2c.vcxproj
+++ b/tools/bin2cpp/bin2c.vcxproj
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
     <WholeProgramOptimization>true</WholeProgramOptimization>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|Win32'" Label="Configuration">
     <ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
     <CharacterSet>MultiByte</CharacterSet>
-    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)_xp</PlatformToolset>
+    <PlatformToolset>$(DefaultPlatformToolset)</PlatformToolset>
   </PropertyGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
   <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionSettings">