{"id":254942,"date":"2025-11-18T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T17:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/?p=254942"},"modified":"2025-11-21T11:00:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:00:34","slug":"spend-less-time-upgrading-more-time-coding-in-visual-studio-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/spend-less-time-upgrading-more-time-coding-in-visual-studio-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Spend Less Time Upgrading, More Time Coding in Visual Studio 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In the past, moving to the next major version of Visual Studio could take hours, sometimes days, to recreate your dev environment the way you like it. Visual Studio 2026 makes it easier than ever to stay current with the latest productivity features, performance improvements, and security fixes all without disrupting your flow. With the new Visual Studio install experience, you can effortlessly recreate your previous Visual Studio 2022 environment. Your workloads, SDKs, toolsets, extensions and settings are automatically copied and configured, so everything you need to build and continue developing your project is ready the moment you open Visual Studio 2026.<\/p>\n<p>With support for multiple toolsets and SDK versions, Visual Studio 2026 lets you update the IDE independently from your project dependencies. Keep your environment modern and secure, while maintaining full compatibility with your existing <a id=\"post-254942-_Int_FH3zDtRr\"><\/a>builds.<\/p>\n<p>Install Visual Studio 2026 from the installer Available tab or download the <a href=\"https:\/\/visualstudio.microsoft.com\/downloads\/\">bootstrapper.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Upgrading and Installing Visual Studio 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xhsjcroef_w\" width=\"1758\" height=\"989\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>The new install experience<\/h2>\n<p>The new Visual Studio Installer is built to make upgrading seamless. It detects your existing Visual Studio 2022 setup and can rebuild it in Visual Studio 2026, including workloads, toolsets, SDKs, extensions, and settings. You\u2019ll spend less time setting up and more time writing code.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re setting up on a new machine, simply import your <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/install\/import-export-installation-configurations?view=visualstudio\">.vsconfig<\/a><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/install\/import-export-installation-configurations?view=visualstudio\"> file<\/a>\u00a0(which captures your favorite workloads, toolsets, SDKs and extensions) and pair it with <a id=\"post-254942-_Int_QL2sprFX\"><\/a>your <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/ide\/personalizing-the-visual-studio-ide?view=visualstudio\"><strong>.vssettings<\/strong> file<\/a> to recreate your previous Visual Studio environment exactly the way you like it.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-254944\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-2.webp\" alt=\"New install experience, Migration landing page in Installer\" width=\"1410\" height=\"896\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-2.webp 1410w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-2-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-2-1024x651.webp 1024w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-2-768x488.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1410px) 100vw, 1410px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Setup Assistant (in-IDE dependency acquisition)<\/h2>\n<p>When you load a project in Visual Studio 2026, the new Setup Assistant automatically detects the dependencies your project targets. With support for multiple toolsets and SDKs, you can quickly <strong>retarget <\/strong>your project to the latest version, or, if needed, <strong>install <\/strong>any specific missing dependencies with just a few clicks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For C++ developers &#8211;<\/strong> the Setup Assistant identifies MSVC Build Tools and Windows <a id=\"post-254942-_Int_mvtgHpa3\"><\/a>SDK<a id=\"post-254942-_Int_zPorWKtf\"><\/a>s your project targets. You can <strong>retarget <\/strong>your project to the latest version or <strong>install <\/strong>any missing components with a single click directly in the Visual Studio Installer.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-254945\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-3.gif\" alt=\"Gif of C++ Setup Assistant experience\" width=\"1365\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For more details check out the C++ blog post: <a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/cppblog\/upgrading-c-projects-to-visual-studio-2026\/\">Blog Post &#8211; Upgrading Your Projects.docx<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>For .NET developers<\/strong> (based on <a href=\"https:\/\/developercommunity.visualstudio.com\/t\/Support-Installing-Missing-NET-SDK-Vers\/10875301\">your feedback<\/a>) \u2013 If your project uses a pinned <code>global.json<\/code>, Setup Assistant provides a link matching the pinned .NET SDK, for quick installation in your browser.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-254946\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-4.webp\" alt=\"Image of .NET Setup Assistant experience\" width=\"1200\" height=\"372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-4.webp 1200w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-4-300x93.webp 300w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-4-1024x317.webp 1024w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-4-768x238.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>GitHub Copilot app modernization now built into Visual Studio<\/h3>\n<p>The GitHub Copilot app modernization agent is an AI-powered tool in Visual Studio that helps you upgrade your projects to newer versions and migrate them to Azure. It automatically detects outdated dependencies and target frameworks, provides guided recommendations, and makes real-time code changes, so you can modernize your code without interruptions. Migrating to Azure unlocks scalability, security, and operational efficiency for your projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How to get started:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Open your project or solution in Visual Studio, then launch the Modernization Agent by <a id=\"post-254942-_Int_Ghr9SWax\"><\/a>right-<a id=\"post-254942-_Int_9GOYRc5G\"><\/a>clicking your project or solution and selecting <strong>Modernize<\/strong>, or type @modernize in Copilot Chat with your upgrade or migration request.<\/p>\n<p>When new SDKs or toolsets become available, you can easily retarget your entire solution or specific projects with the Setup Assistant. Simply reopen this tab via <strong>Project <\/strong>&gt; <strong>Retarget solution,<\/strong> or right click your solution\/project and select <strong>Retarget solution<\/strong>. This makes it simple to modernize projects.<\/p>\n<p>See live examples<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/eCFb_VyNMWU\">C++ modernization by Michael Price<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/YDhJ953D6-U?t=2308\">.NET modernization video by Brady Gaster and Cathy Sulivan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Visual Studio is shipping faster<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Visual Studio 2026 will get updates on the Stable channel every month<\/strong>, bringing new features, performance improvements, security and bug fixes to you faster than ever.<\/p>\n<p><div  class=\"d-flex justify-content-left\"><a class=\"cta_button_link btn-primary mb-24\" href=\"https:\/\/visualstudio.microsoft.com\/downloads\/\" target=\"_blank\">Install Visual Studio 2026 Stable<\/a><\/div><\/p>\n<p>Visual Studio Insiders will get updates even faster, helping us iterate with you in real time. With this new cadence and rapid iteration speed you\u2019ll always have the latest.<\/p>\n<p><div  class=\"d-flex justify-content-left\"><a class=\"cta_button_link btn-primary mb-24\" href=\"https:\/\/visualstudio.microsoft.com\/insiders\/\" target=\"_blank\">Install Visual Studio Insiders<\/a><\/div><\/p>\n<h3>Always current with Visual Studio 2026<\/h3>\n<p>To make updating effortless, Visual Studio 2026 introduces <strong>Update on Close<\/strong>. When you finish your session, Visual Studio will download and install updates after you close the IDE, so you\u2019ll always start your next session with the latest features, fixes, and improvements.<\/p>\n<p>This is enabled by default for Community and Team Explorer and on the Insiders Channel. For Enterprise and Professional editions on the Stable Channel, you can turn it on by navigating to <strong>Tools &gt; Options &gt; Environment &gt; More Settings &gt; Product Updates<\/strong> and select the <strong>\u201cAlways update on close\u201d<\/strong> checkbox.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-254947\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-5.webp\" alt=\"Update on close dialog in IDE with update now and postpone option\" width=\"661\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-5.webp 399w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/word-image-254942-5-300x87.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 661px) 100vw, 661px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>You are always in control<\/h2>\n<p>If something doesn\u2019t go as planned, Visual Studio 2026 keeps you in control:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Improved <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/visualstudio\/install\/repair-visual-studio?view=visualstudio\"><strong>repair<\/strong><\/a> detects and resolves incomplete installations automatically.<\/li>\n<li>A quick <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/troubleshoot\/developer\/visualstudio\/installation\/troubleshoot-installation-issues?toc=%2Fvisualstudio%2Ftoc.json&amp;view=visualstudio#7-roll-back-to-a-previous-install-for-visual-studio-2022-only\"><strong>rollback<\/strong><\/a> returns you to your previous environment in minutes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Side-by-side <\/strong><a id=\"post-254942-_Int_BZCtnDFY\"><\/a><strong>installs <\/strong>let you keep Visual Studio 2022 and 2026 on the same machine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You\u2019re always in control, knowing your productivity and stability are protected. Visual Studio provides options to move forward or revert with minimal risk.<\/p>\n<h2>When Should You Upgrade?<\/h2>\n<p>The best time is now.<strong> Visual Studio 2026<\/strong> is our most performant, reliable, and productive IDE yet with the easiest upgrade experience we\u2019ve ever delivered.<\/p>\n<p>Get faster installs, monthly feature updates, smarter dependency management, and an environment built to keep you focused on writing great code, not maintaining your setup.<\/p>\n<p>Try <strong>Visual Studio 2026<\/strong> today and see how seamless upgrading can be.<\/p>\n<p>Install Visual Studio 2026 Stable from the Installer Available tab or download the <a href=\"https:\/\/visualstudio.microsoft.com\/downloads\/\">bootstrapper.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the past, moving to the next major version of Visual Studio could take hours, sometimes days, to recreate your dev environment the way you like it. Visual Studio 2026 makes it easier than ever to stay current with the latest productivity features, performance improvements, and security fixes all without disrupting your flow. With the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68130,"featured_media":254943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6888,6904,6963,155],"tags":[6883,6995,7030,6850,7019],"class_list":["post-254942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-copilot","category-installation-and-updates","category-productivity","category-visual-studio","tag-copilot","tag-modernization","tag-setup","tag-updates","tag-visual-studio-2026"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"<p>In the past, moving to the next major version of Visual Studio could take hours, sometimes days, to recreate your dev environment the way you like it. Visual Studio 2026 makes it easier than ever to stay current with the latest productivity features, performance improvements, and security fixes all without disrupting your flow. With the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=254942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/254942\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/254943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=254942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=254942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=254942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}