How to view the variable values in release builds

I want to be able to see the variable values while debugging a release application. I have set the compiler option as Z7 and given a /DEBUG and /PDB: linker option. Now I have a pdb for开发者_如何学C the application.

With this set up I am able to put a break point (Windbg) inside the code and it hits properly. But I am not able to see the variable values.

The Locals window only shows the pointer value but I cant see the contents of the same. For instance if I have a pointer to a structure that has an int inside it, it just shows the value of the pointer. If I expand the same by clicking + in the tree, I see the variable name with the value as <Memory access error>

How should I make the release builds show the variable values?

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Many times, you cannot see them because they don't exist. If you look at the optimized assembly code, you will find that many intermediate variables are completely removed in favor of performance. That is most likely what you're seeing, and the only way around it is to follow the disassembly and watch the right memory locations / registers.