What's new in Visual Studio docs

Welcome to what's new in Visual Studio docs. The following sections provide details on the previous three months of new and updated content.

April 2026

Code quality

Updated articles

• Customize Roslyn analyzer rules - Update bug submission link for code analyzers
• Review and update screenshots
  • Suppress code analysis violations

Containers

Updated articles

• Podman Compose support
  • Visual Studio Container Tools on Windows
  • Work with multiple containers using Docker Compose
  • Build a containerized Visual Studio project from the command line
  • Configure Container Tools
  • Docker Compose build settings
  • Launch a subset of Docker Compose services
  • Use the Containers window

Data tools

Updated articles

• Connect to Access database in .NET Framework apps - Review and update screenshots

Debugger

Updated articles

• Add content for debugger agent workflow
  • Debug with GitHub Copilot
  • Overview of the debugger
  • Inspect and break exceptions when debugging
• View strings in a string visualizer - Add information for auto-detection of string encoding with Copilot
• Clarify troubleshooting for Hot Reload
  • Write and debug code by using Hot Reload
  • Configure Hot Reload
• Supported Code Changes (C# and Visual Basic) - Update Hot Reload articles
• Remote debugging - Update remote debugger requirements
• Review and update screenshots
  • Get started with breakpoints
  • Enable debugging for ASP.NET apps
• Text quality fixes
  • Debugging techniques and tools
  • Debugging code for absolute beginners
  • What is debugging and a debugger?

Extensibility

Updated articles

• Components of a VisualStudio.Extensibility extension - Refine explanation of extension component contributions
• Review and update screenshots
  • Installing the Visual Studio SDK
  • Walkthrough: Publish a Visual Studio extension

IDE

New articles

• Use Agent Skills with GitHub Copilot
• New Quick Actions reference articles organized by category
  • Class and member refactorings
  • Code cleanup refactorings
  • Conditional and logic refactorings
  • Expression and pattern refactorings
  • Extract and inline refactorings
  • IntelliSense and formatting refactorings
  • Loop and LINQ refactorings
  • Property and field refactorings
  • Rename and move refactorings
  • Type, string, and syntax conversion refactorings

Updated articles

• Use Agent Mode - Add find_symbol tool and agent skills support
• Use custom agents in GitHub Copilot - Add content for debugger agent workflow and custom agent updates
• Use MCP Servers - Major restructure and content review
• Refactoring for different programming languages - Refactor and curate Quick Actions reference
• Find code changes and other history with CodeLens - Update for Visual Studio 2026
• Report a problem with Visual Studio - Add DevCom sign-in pop-up details
• Copilot Completions - Add keyboard shortcuts for GitHub Copilot; add disclaimer for paid plan and free trials
• Add disclaimer for paid plan and free trials
  • AI-assistance for developers in Visual Studio
  • Customize chat responses
  • GitHub Copilot Free in Visual Studio
  • About GitHub Copilot Chat in Visual Studio
  • Manage GitHub Copilot installation and state
• GitHub Copilot usage and models - Add information about rate limits
• Consolidate Project Designer documentation
  • Manage application settings (.NET)
  • Manage project and solution properties
  • Project Designer for .NET project properties
  • Settings Page, Project Designer
  • Properties Window
  • Learn about Solution Explorer
• Review and update screenshots
  • Get faster load & run times with solution filters
  • Create and remove project dependencies
  • Navigate Code in the Editor
  • Tour the Visual Studio IDE
  • Create a Python Web App with Visual Studio
  • Accessibility tips and tricks for Visual Studio
  • Set bookmarks in Visual Studio
  • Learn about the Spell Checker
  • Create a Code Snippet in Visual Studio

Install

Updated articles

• Install Visual Studio Versions Side-by-Side - Add instructions for changing the default Visual Studio version; clarify registry settings scope

JavaScript

Updated articles

• Update tsconfig documentation
  • Compile and build TypeScript code using NuGet
  • Add TypeScript to an ASP.NET Core app

Modeling

Updated articles

• Review and update screenshots
  • Create dependency diagrams from your code
  • Visualize dependencies with code maps

MSBuild

Updated articles

• Common MSBuild Project Properties - Restore MSBuildTreatWarningsAsErrors property
• Find MSBuild and use its API - Update version information and binding redirect note
• Review and update
  • Build multiple projects in parallel with MSBuild
  • Incremental builds in MSBuild

Profiling

Updated articles

• Review and update screenshots
  • Measure CPU utilization in your apps
  • Analyze memory usage for .NET objects

Test

Updated articles

• Test-driven development - Review and update screenshots

XAML tools

Updated articles

• Capture & edit desktop app UI with XAML Live Preview - Review and update screenshots

Community contributors

The following people contributed to the Visual Studio docs during this period. Thank you! Learn how to contribute by following the links under "Get involved" in the what's new landing page.

• ihor-kitsa - ihor-kitsa
• Chukslord1 - Ochuko Onojakpor

March 2026

Debugger

Updated articles

• Rename Edit and Continue to Hot Reload
  • Overview of the debugger
  • Hot Reload (Visual Basic)
  • Hot Reload in your C++ projects
  • Hot Reload (Visual C#)
  • Write and debug code by using Hot Reload
  • Configure Hot Reload
• View the call stack in the debugger - Improve article and update screenshots
• Debug using the Just-In-Time Debugger - Review and update screenshots
• Debug with GitHub Copilot - Review and update
• Review and update
  • Inspect variables - Visual Studio debugger
  • Set debug and release configurations
  • Remote Debug ASP.NET Core on Azure App Service
  • Remote Debug a C# or VB project
  • Use the right type of breakpoint
  • Use dump files in the debugger
  • Set a watch on variables and expressions
• Debug .NET apps in Linux using WSL - Review and update screenshots

Designers

Updated articles

• Updates for custom agents and Windows Forms Expert agent
  • Windows Forms Designer tutorial
  • Design Windows Forms Applications

Get started

Updated articles

• What Is Visual Studio? - Major revision
• Introduction to editing in the code editor - Review and update
• Tutorial: Open project from repo in Visual Studio - Review and update
• Tutorial: Create UWP Apps with Visual Studio & C# - Review and update

IDE

New articles

• Configure proxy settings in Visual Studio
• Use custom agents in GitHub Copilot

Updated articles

• Use Visual Studio search to find code & do queries - add documentation for Copilot search suggestions
• Options for Browsing Code in the Editor
  • Add content for middle-click scroll
  • Add content for fast scrolling
• Configure advanced Text Editor options
  • Add content for middle-click scroll
  • Add content for fast scrolling
  • Update content related to line compression in the editor
• Quick Actions, light bulbs, and screwdrivers - Update content for inline Quick Actions
• Fix Program Errors and Improve Code - Update content for inline Quick Actions
• Use MCP Servers - Add content for MCP governance allowlists
• Admin controls for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio - Add content for MCP governance allowlists
• Troubleshoot proxy and firewall issues in Visual Studio - Updates for proxy configuration feature
• Access multiple user accounts - Updates for proxy configuration feature
• Install and use behind a firewall or proxy server - Updates for proxy configuration feature
• Use IntelliSense for quick information & completion - Review and update with new screenshots
• Developer Community data privacy - Revise AI processing guidelines
• Use Dotfuscator Community to protect .NET apps - Review and update
• Explore advanced features for developers - Review and update for accuracy
• Templates for projects and files - Review and update
• Save and open files with encoding - Review and update
• Keyboard shortcuts - Add new shortcut information
• Command-Line Shells & Prompt For Developers - Fix path of Developer PowerShell
• Updates for freshness
  • AI-assistance for developers in Visual Studio
  • GitHub Copilot Edits in Visual Studio
  • GitHub Copilot usage and models
  • Specify the targeted .NET Frameworks
• Review and update
  • About GitHub Copilot Chat in Visual Studio
  • Get Started with GitHub Copilot
  • Use Agent Mode
  • Efficient coding, debugging, & keyboard shortcuts
  • Extend a Trial Version or Update a License
  • Create projects & solutions
  • Tutorial: Create Windows Forms app (Visual Basic)
• Review and update screenshots
  • Customize and Save Layouts of Windows and Tabs
  • Learn about Solution Explorer
  • Configure projects to target platforms

Install

Updated articles

• Configure policies for enterprise deployments - Update DisableMigrationDialog policy description
• Install Visual Studio and Choose Your Preferred Features - Deprecated Web Live Preview
• Setup Assistant - Improve wording, add Reopen section with screenshots
• Create an offline installation - Freshness updates
• Review and update screenshots
  • Import or export installation configurations
  • Select installation locations

JavaScript

Updated articles

• Transpile and build TypeScript code using npm - Change 'Compile' to 'Transpile' in TypeScript guide
• Update troubleshooting info for ASP.NET Core and JS templates
  • Create an ASP.NET Core app with Angular
  • Create an ASP.NET Core app with React
  • Create an ASP.NET Core app with Vue
• Create a React project in Visual Studio - Review and update

MSBuild

Updated articles

• Common MSBuild Project Properties - Review and update
• Reference an MSBuild Project SDK - Fix typo in warning about Import elements
• Set the run order for MSBuild targets - Clarify behavior of skipped targets

Profiling

Updated articles

• Add Copilot content for profiling with PerfTips
  • Use debugger PerfTips and integrated Diagnostic Tools
  • Overview of the profiling tools
• CPU profiling in the Performance Profiler - Review and update
• Measure memory usage in your apps - Review and update
• Analyze memory usage in the Performance Profiler - Review and update screenshots

Python

Updated articles

• Review and update screenshots
  • Python Support in Visual Studio on Windows
  • Tutorial Step 2: Write and Run Python Code
• Tutorial Step 5: Install Packages in Python Environment - Review and update

Test

Updated articles

• Debug Unit Tests with Test Explorer - Add Copilot updates for profiling unit tests
• Create, run, and customize C# unit tests - Update tutorial on C# unit testing
• Write unit tests for C/C++ - Review and update
• Run Unit Tests with Test Explorer - Review and update
• Get started with unit testing - Review and update
• Unit test basics with Test Explorer - Review and update screenshots

Version control

Updated articles

• New feature: code change suggestions
  • Create a pull request in Visual Studio
  • Make a Git commit in Visual Studio
• Create a branch to track code changes - Review and update

XAML tools

Updated articles

• Create UIs with Visual Studio XAML Designer - Review and update

Community contributors

The following people contributed to the Visual Studio docs during this period. Thank you! Learn how to contribute by following the links under "Get involved" in the what's new landing page.

• TobiasKnauss - Tobias Knauss
• Xzardoz -
• marshall777 -
• OBud75 - Thomas Ménès

February 2026

Data tools

Updated articles

• Connect to a database in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots

Debugger

New articles

• IDiaStackWalkHelper3::get_registerValue
• IDiaStackWalkHelper3::put_registerValue
• IDiaStackWalkHelper3

Updated articles

• View the call stack and use the Call Stack window in the debugger
  • Clarify when the user can access the Call Stack window
  • Add content for analyzing call stack with Copilot
• CV_HREG_e - Add new interface in DIA SDK
• Interfaces (Debug Interface Access SDK) - Add new interface in DIA SDK
• Tabular visualizers in Visual Studio - Update tabular visualizers with datatip info
• Debug your app with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio - Add content for analyzing call stack with Copilot

Deployment

Updated articles

• Deploy a .NET Windows desktop application using ClickOnce - Review and update screenshots
• First look at deployment in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Quickstart: Publish an ASP.NET web app - Review and update screenshots

Designers

Updated articles

• Tutorial: Get started with Windows Forms Designer - Review and update screenshots

Extensibility

Updated articles

• Debug a Visual Studio extension - Mention start/restart menu commands for Experimental Instance
• The Experimental Instance - Add new section for start / restart

Get started

Updated articles

• Run a C# program or app in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• C# development with Visual Studio - Review and update
• Review and update for .NET 10
  • Tutorial: Learn to debug Visual Basic code using Visual Studio
  • Tutorial: Add code to the picture viewer Windows Forms App (.NET Framework)
  • Tutorial: Add controls to the picture viewer Windows Forms App (.NET Framework)
  • Tutorial: Add math problems to a math quiz WinForms app
  • Tutorial: Create a math quiz WinForms app
  • Tutorial: Create a Windows Forms matching game app
  • Tutorial: Create your first Windows App SDK application in Visual Studio with XAML and C#
  • Tutorial: Learn to debug C# code using Visual Studio
  • Tutorial: Extend C# console app and debug in Visual Studio (part 2 of 2)

IDE

New articles

• Visual Studio color themes
• Markdown preview controls
• Configure build and run options in Visual Studio
• Configure extension and update options in Visual Studio
• Configure Windows Forms Designer options in Visual Studio
• Troubleshoot proxy and firewall issues in Visual Studio

Updated articles

• Quick Actions - Improve article on Quick Actions
• IntelliSense in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Set multiple startup projects - Review and update screenshots
• What is Class Designer? - General improvements
• Compile and build in Visual Studio - General improvements
• Tutorial: Build an application - Review and update screenshots
• Build and clean projects and solutions in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Define consistent coding styles with EditorConfig - Fix content related to automatic generation of config file
• Change fonts, colors, and themes in Visual Studio - Reference color theme gallery
• Customize the Visual Studio IDE - Reference color theme gallery
• Find and replace text in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• What is the GitHub Copilot Chat experience for Visual Studio?
  • New feature: Markdown Preview controls
  • New feature: Markdown preview from GitHub Copilot Chat
  • Updates for changes to the new sign-in experience from Copilot chat window
• Troubleshoot GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio - Update refresh credentials
• Suppress compiler warnings - Review and update screenshots
• Get started with GitHub Copilot completions
  • Add click-to-accept for Copilot completions
  • Add colorized code completions documentation
  • Updates for changes for inline suggestions
• Manage references in a project - Review and update screenshots
• Customize chat responses and set context
  • Updates for Copilot Memories
  • New slash commands
• How Copilot Chat understands and uses context - Updates for Copilot Memories
• Use GitHub Copilot for free in Visual Studio - Updates for changes to the new sign in experience from Copilot chat window
• Get started with GitHub Copilot - Updates for changes to the new sign in experience from Copilot chat window
• Add your GitHub accounts to your Visual Studio keychain - Updates for changes to the new sign in experience from Copilot chat window
• Change the build output directory - Review and update screenshots
• Configure advanced Text Editor options - Update content for copying rich text in HTML format
• Visual Studio settings - General improvements
• Configure Environment > Visual Experience options - Compact view option for Solution Explorer
• Learn about Solution Explorer - Compact view option for Solution Explorer
• Configure Languages > C/C++ > IntelliSense options
  • Adding WCI setting info
  • Add WCI to settings
• Project and solution configurations - Update solution and project configuration conceptual article
• AI-assisted development in Visual Studio - Updates for changes for inline suggestions
• Get started with GitHub Copilot next edit suggestions - Updates for changes for inline suggestions

Install

Updated articles

• Install Build Tools into a container - Add Dockerfile instructions for Build Tools installation
• Modify Visual Studio workloads, components, and language packs - Update link and screenshots

MSBuild

Updated articles

• Customize your build - General improvements
• Customize the build by folder - General improvements
• MSB8004 diagnostic code - Fix slash terminology

Profiling

Updated articles

• Measure memory usage in Visual Studio (C#, Visual Basic, C++, F#) - Update Memory profiling tutorial
• Analyze memory usage in release builds (C#, Visual Basic, C++, F#) - Update article on memory usage
• Profile your app with GitHub Copilot Profiler Agent - Profiler agent unit test support

Test

Updated articles

• Overview of GitHub Copilot testing for .NET
  • Incorporated feedback for Overview of GitHub Copilot Testing
  • Update GitHub Copilot testing for .NET
• Generate and run unit tests using GitHub Copilot testing for .NET - Update GitHub Copilot testing for .NET

XAML tools

Updated articles

• XAML code editor - Review and update screenshots

Version control

Updated articles

• Create a pull request in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Browse Git repositories and compare branches in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Create a Git repository from Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Use git fetch, pull, push and sync for version control in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Manage Git repositories in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots
• Make a Git commit in Visual Studio - Review and update screenshots