diff --git a/Workloads/rust/configuration.winget b/Workloads/rust/configuration.winget
index 20796d8..0c9d57c 100644
--- a/Workloads/rust/configuration.winget
+++ b/Workloads/rust/configuration.winget
@@ -20,10 +20,45 @@ resources:
       winget:
         securityContext: elevated
 
+  - type: Microsoft.WinGet/Package
+    name: VisualStudioBuildTools
+    properties:
+      id: Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools
+      source: winget
+      acceptAgreements: true
+    metadata:
+      description: Install Visual Studio 2022 Build Tools (host for the MSVC C++ tools that the Rust msvc toolchain links against)
+      winget:
+        securityContext: elevated
+
+  - type: Microsoft.DSC.Transitional/RunCommandOnSet
+    name: VSBuildToolsVCWorkload
+    dependsOn:
+      - VisualStudioBuildTools
+    properties:
+      executable: powershell
+      arguments:
+        "0": -NoProfile
+        "1": -NoLogo
+        "2": -Command
+        "3": >-
+          $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop';
+          [Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12;
+          $bootstrapper = Join-Path $env:TEMP 'vs_BuildTools.exe';
+          Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vs_BuildTools.exe' -OutFile $bootstrapper -UseBasicParsing;
+          $proc = Start-Process -FilePath $bootstrapper -ArgumentList @('--quiet','--wait','--norestart','--nocache','--add','Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.VCTools','--includeRecommended') -Wait -PassThru;
+          if ($proc.ExitCode -ne 0 -and $proc.ExitCode -ne 3010) { throw "vs_BuildTools.exe exited with code $($proc.ExitCode)" }
+        treatAsArray: true
+    metadata:
+      description: Add the VCTools (Desktop development with C++) workload by running the VS bootstrapper directly — installs link.exe and the Windows SDK required by the Rust msvc toolchain
+      winget:
+        securityContext: elevated
+
   - type: Microsoft.DSC.Transitional/RunCommandOnSet
     name: InstallStableToolchain
     dependsOn:
       - Rustup
+      - VSBuildToolsVCWorkload
     properties:
       executable: powershell
       arguments: