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Important
This release is not 'go-live' and not intended for use on production computers or for creating production code. For instructions on installing and updating Visual Studio 2019, see this documentation on updating Visual Studio 2019 to the most recent release.
What's New in Visual Studio 2019
Visual Studio 2019 Preview Releases
- March 02, 2020 — Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 5
- February 25, 2020 — Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 4
- February 19, 2020 — Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 3
- January 22, 2020 — Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 2
- December 3, 2019 — Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 1
Visual Studio 2019 Blog
The Visual Studio 2019 Blog is the official source of product insight from the Visual Studio Engineering Team. You can find in-depth information about the Visual Studio 2019 releases in the following posts:
Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 5
released March 2, 2020
Top Issues Fixed in this Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 5
| From Developer Community |
|---|
| Microsoft.VisualStudio.Editor.Implementation.EditorPackage did not load correctly |
| WPF on NetCore3 DesignTools ArgumentException Too many arguments |
| xUnit Test (.NET Core) project with VS 2019 is throwing InvalidOeprationException while running test |
| Hard crash on unexpected input key sequence |
| Lots of editor errors |
| VS crashes when navigating to Tools > Options > Text Editors > C# > General |
Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 4
released February 25, 2020
Top Issues Fixed in this Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 4
| From Developer Community |
|---|
| .NET unhandled exception |
| Opening threads window crashes Visual Studio 2019 |
| ScriptedSandbox64.exe crashes multiple times a day |
| A user's keyboard shortcut to View.SynchronizeClassView is not working anymore |
| ASan replacement operator delete overload not called |
| Tests fail, and cannot start new tests |
| Organizing document. Waiting for background work to finish. |
| When an installshield express project is loaded in the solution, at solution startup : SetSite failed for package - Shared Web Components - (in VS 16.4.3 & 16.4.4), ScaffoldingPackage, EurekaPackage, WebPublishPackage |
| New preview search 'Search Entire Solution' does not search entire solution |
| Unable to view or open SQL Table Designer from SQL Server Object Explorer and Server Explorer |
| Deploying UWP app to remote machine using universal authentication results in error message 'Error: Unable to connect to Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugger' |
Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 3
released February 19, 2020
In This Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 3
| Workload | |
|---|---|
| Debugging | |
| New Features | Decompilation of C# code |
| Attach to processes running in Docker Windows containers | |
| Open Enclave debugging for Azure Confidential Computing | |
| Improvements to Allocation view in .NET Object Allocation Tracking tool | |
| Xamarin | |
| Productivity Improvements | Use XAML Hot Reload on multiple emulators, simulators, and devices at once |
| Preprocessor symbol for Xamarin Hot Restart | |
| Impactful Change | Xamarin Hot Restart is disabled by default |
| C++ | |
| Productivity Improvements | IntelliCode Team Completions model & member variables support |
| SQL | |
| Impactful Known Issue | Unable to view or open SQL Table Designer from SQL Server Object Explorer and Server Explorer. |
Details of What's New in Visual Studio version 16.5 Preview 3
Debugging
You can now decompile managed code even if you don't have the symbols, allowing you to look at code, inspect variables and set breakpoints.
You can now attach to processes running in Docker Windows containers via the Attach to Process dialog window.
Enclave debugging is now supported in Visual Studio via the Open Enclave SDK. For more info about Enclave debugging, go to aka.ms/OpenEnclaveVisualStudio.
There have been several improvements to the Allocation view in the .NET Object Allocation Tracking tool. First, the backtrace view has been moved to a separate panel to more easily distinguish between allocation type and and functions called. Second, the call trees in the backtrace view have been flipped to more easily diagnose what functions are allocating the most memory. Finally, icons indicating value and reference types have been added and two more icons for value and reference collections are coming soon!
Xamarin
- With XAML Hot Reload, you can now see your changes updated on multiple Xamarin.Forms targets at once. Debug your app with multiple startup projects, change your XAML, and hit Save to show the changes on Android and iOS simultaneously.
- You can now use the
HOTRESTARTpreprocessor symbol to prevent code from running when using Xamarin Hot Restart. - Xamarin Hot Restart is now disabled by default. You can enable it under Tools > Options... > Environment > Preview Features.
C++
- C++ developers can now train IntelliCode models on their own codebases. We call this a Team Completions model because you benefit from your team's practices. Additionally, we've improved IntelliCode suggestions for member variables.
Top Issues Fixed in this Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 3
| From Developer Community | |
|---|---|
| Test Explorer won't run tests: too particular about .NET Core runtime version | |
| msvsmon.exe crashes when hitting breakpoint in native C++ code | |
| CSharpeRenameTrackingCodeFixProvider encountered and error and has been disabled | |
| F4 - Next Error / Next Result issue | |
| 'Profile Test' fails on .NET Core xUnit test due to 'Unknown test framework' | |
| Crashes when trying to debug uwp application | |
| Visual Studio's extension search hangs forever when searching for 'Rapid XAML Toolkit' | |
| When I run unit tests, it launches my UWP app. | |
| Recording steps to report a problem didn't finish collecting additional information | |
| With 16.5 Preview 2 C++ Builds breaks due to copy local behavior change | |
| 'env' block does not work for Linux configurations in launch.vs.json, env vars defined in CMakeSettings not picked up | |
| Incorrect C6011 warning | |
| Add Macro to C++ hint file (cpp.hint) prompt may be shown after macro is added | |
| Executing search while debugging locks-up Visual Studio | |
| Xaml editor / properties window | |
| Unable to select target platform azure v12 for database project | |
| VS Database Project - Deploy in the Build menu does nothing | |
| SQL Server Object Explorer | F4 on a DB not Working |
| SSDT publish script missing backslash | |
| Additional Developer Community Items Fixed |
Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 2
released January 22, 2020
In This Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 2
| Workload | ||
|---|---|---|
| IDE | Impactful Known Issue | Crash when entering debug mode for the second time in a session |
| F# | Impactful Known Issue | F# projects only build in IDE, fail to build from command line. |
| Visual Studio IDE | ||
| New Features | Multi-selection of Azure directories | |
| .NET Productivity | ||
| New Features | Refactoring to turn a fragment of code from an existing method into a local function | |
| Refactoring to make members static | ||
| Refactoring to simplify string interpolations | ||
| EditorConfig option to exclude analyzers to run on generated files or folders | ||
| Analyzer authors can now distribute custom code refactorings as a NuGet package | ||
| Debugging | ||
| New Features | Pin properties in DataTips and the Autos, Locals, and Watch windows in C++ | |
| View which managed thread is holding a .NET object lock | ||
| Open Enclave debugging for Azure Confidential Computing | ||
| C++ | ||
| New Features | IntelliSense improvements | |
| Connection Manager over the command line | ||
| Debug/deploy for WSL | ||
| Support for FIPS 140-2 compliance mode | ||
| Language services for CMake Language files & better CMake project manipulation | ||
| XAML (UWP/WPF) | ||
| New Features | New XAML Designer Preview for WPF .NET Framework Projects | |
| Changing “Artboard Background” color for the XAML Designer now works with WPF .NET Core projects | ||
| XAML Designer now supports loading .NET Core 3.x Projects that include PublishSingleFile, RuntimeIdenfier and PublishTrimmed settings | ||
| Xamarin | ||
| New Features | Document Outline for Xamarin.Forms XAML UIs | |
| Xamarin Hot Restart | ||
| Android Apply Changes | ||
| Custom Profiles with Startup Tracing | ||
| Kotlin support for Xamarin.Android generator | ||
| Improved AndroidManifest.xml Merging | ||
| Custom Control Quick Changes for Android Layouts | ||
| Improved Android IntelliSense |
Details of What's New in Visual Studio version 16.5 Preview 2
Visual Studio IDE
You can now filter accounts to the specific subset of the Azure Active Directories you want to make available to Visual Studio
.NET Productivity
You can now turn a fragment of code from an existing method into a local function. Highlight the code you want extracted. Press (Ctrl+.) to trigger the Quick Actions and Refactorings menu. Select Extract local function.
You can now make members static. Place your cursor on the member name. Press (Ctrl+.) to trigger the Quick Actions and Refactorings menu. Select Make static.
You can now simplify string interpolations when possible. Place your cursor on the string interpolation. Press (Ctrl+.) to trigger the Quick Actions and Refactorings menu. Select Simplify interpolation.
You now have the option to exclude generated files or folders when running analyzers. Create an EditorConfig file and mark the required files or folders as generated with the following syntax:
Analyzer authors can now distribute custom code refactorings as a NuGet package when previously it could only be distributed as a VSIX.
Debugging
You can now pin object properties in C++ via DataTips and the Autos, Locals, and Watch windows.
You can now see which managed thread is holding a .NET object lock via the Call Stack window, Parallel Stacks window, and the location column in the Threads window.
C++
IntelliSense now displays more readable type names when dealing with the Standard Library.
We've added the ability to toggle whether Enter, Space, and Tab function as commit characters, and to toggle whether Tab is used to Insert Snippet. Find these settings under Tools > Options > Text Editor > C/C++ > Advanced > IntelliSense.
You can now leverage Visual Studio's native support for WSL when separating your build system from your remote deploy system. This allows you to build natively on WSL and deploy the build artifacts to a second remote system for debugging. This workflow is supported by both CMake projects and MSBuild-based Linux projects.
You are now able to interact with your stored remote connections over the command line. This is useful for tasks such as provisioning a new development machine or setting up Visual Studio in continuous integration.
Visual Studio now supports FIPS 140-2 compliance mode when developing C++ applications that target a remote Linux system.
The source file copy for CMake projects targeting a remote Linux system has been optimized. Visual Studio now keeps a 'fingerprint file' of the last set of sources copied remotely and optimizes behavior based on the number of files that have changed.
Code navigation features such as Go To Definition and Find All References are now supported for functions, variables, and targets in CMake script files.
Add, remove, and rename source files and targets in your CMake projects from the IDE without manually editing your CMake scripts. When you add or remove files with the Solution Explorer, Visual Studio will automatically edit your CMake project. You can also add, remove, and rename the project's targets from the Solution Explorer's Targets View.
WPF/UWP Tooling
New XAML Designer Preview for WPF .NET Framework Projects is now available for early preview. This new designer brings with it the same improvements now available to WPF .NET Core developers and includes better performance and bug fixes. We encourage all .NET Framework WPF customers to give this improved designer a try and report any issues you encounter through the feedback hub.
Known limitations:
- Some 3rd party control extensibility will be disabled
- Blend data, resources and triggers panels will be disabled
To get started go to options > Preview Features and select “New WPF XAML Designer for .NET Framework” and restart Visual Studio.
Note: This feature is a preview channel only capability that will not be finalized until a future release that has not yet been determined.
Xamarin
You can now see a hierarchy of your Xamarin.Forms controls in the Document Outline pane. On Windows, it can be opened with Ctrl+Alt+T (View > Other Windows > Document Outline). On Mac, you can open it via Views > Pads > Document Outline.
This release includes a preview of Xamarin Hot Restart for iOS apps built with Xamarin.Forms. Hot Restart enables a much faster build and deploy cycle when making changes to your code, resources, and even project references. It also works with XAML Hot Reload to speed up your inner development loop editing both your UI and code:Check out the Xamarin Hot Restart documentation to get started.
- You can now apply Android resource changes at runtime using Android Apply Changes. This feature allows you to quickly see changes made to your Android resource files (XML layouts, drawables, etc) on an Android device or emulator without requiring the application to be restarted.
- You can now generate your own custom profiles when using startup tracing in your Android application. This provides you an even more performant startup experience with a minimal increase to APK size.
- You can now generate Xamarin.Android bindings against Kotlin libraries.
- You can now use the Google Manifest Merger when merging AndroidManifest.xml files in your Android projects. This allows you to customize how each manifest and its contents will be merged. For more details on rules that can be applied, please see Merge multiple manifest files.
- You can now opt-into a new option which will automatically reload all opened designer surfaces when any modification is done to your codebase.
- Take advantage of consolidated editor functionality to offer more responsive and precise IntelliSense. This includes many changes such as improved completion for common XML constructions such as attribute quotes and updating end tag names automatically.You can control these behaviors via Android XML editor preferences:
Other improvements include:
Changing “Artboard Background” color for the XAML Designer now works with WPF .NET Core projects (Options > Environment > Fonts and Colors, then change to XAML Designer settings and update Artboard Background)
XAML Designer now supports loading .NET Core 3.x Projects that include PublishSingleFile, RuntimeIdenfier and PublishTrimmed settings in their project file (csproj). Note that including these settings slows down designer performance.
Top Issues Fixed in this Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 2
| From Developer Community |
|---|
| Package manager has multiple errors displayed on Tools, Nuget Package Manager, & Manage Nuget Packages for solution |
| MSVC codegen error vector reverse_iterator x64 C++17 debug build |
| VS 15.8 preview 4 constexpr implicit conversion operator error |
| Custom Project Template Ignored |
| Bug in C++/CLI optimizer |
| _com_ptr_t is not accepted by clang 9.0RC |
| Visual Studio 16.3.1 fails at compiling template code (e.g. from Basler Pylon SDK) |
| VS 16.4.0 Preview 1.0 - ArgumentException The collections refer to different snapshots |
| Visual Studio not updating when having to elevate permissions |
| clang-format formats entire file on open-close braces |
| live unit testing fails with FatalError - System.ArgumentException: The supplied SnapshotPoint is on an incorrect snapshot. |
| VS crashes when trying to drag a tab in vertical tab layout (right or left) |
| C2440 error building atlenc.h with /permissive- in VS 16.4 Preview 1 |
| Visual Studio IDE crashes when I click the unfold icon of a namespace. |
| C4265 warning is flawed |
Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 1
released December 3, 2019
In This Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 1
| Visual Studio IDE | |
|---|---|
| New Features | On-hover a close button appears for each document in the tab group overflow list |
| Productivity Improvements | Implemented user suggested improvements in vertical tabs |
| .NET Productivity | |
| New Features | Ability to use System.HashCode to implement the GetHashCode method when System.HashCode is available |
Ability to convert if to switch statements or switch expressions | |
| IntelliSense completion for unimported extension methods | |
| C++ | |
| Productivity Improvements | Visual Studio Linux projects now have more accurate IntelliSense and allow you to control remote header synchronization on a project-by-project basis. |
| Azure Tools | |
| Productivity Improvements | Now provides .NET Core Worker Server support. |
| Support was added for Azure Functions v3. This gives a new option during project creation to use v3 instead of v2. | |
| When publishing to App Service Linux, Visual Studio now waits until the app is running before opening the browser window. | |
| XAML | |
| New Features | Enabled support for the 1909 version of Windows 10 as a UWP target platform. |
| Dragging an image from project into the XAML editor generates an Image tag | |
| Suggested Actions in XAML Designer for easier access to common properties | |
| JavaScript/TypeScript | |
| New Features | Code Search for JavaScript/TypeScript |
| ESLint for TypeScript files | |
| TypeScript 3.8 Beta compiler and language service for JavaScript and TypeScript. Release Notes | |
| Experimental: Faster syntax highlighting engine that uses the syntax tree instead of TextMate grammars |
Top Issues Fixed in this Release of Visual Studio 2019 version 16.5 Preview 1
| From Developer Community |
|---|
| Green squiggles appear everywhere in my source code |
| Tool window sometimes moves or dissapears during window layout switching |
| Test discovery fails |
| VS 2019 / C++ / Google Test: Impossible to get Unit Tests to work |
| Visual Studio IDE mono integration does not allow step into debug of modules not in original build path |
| Document tabs undock when selected |
| Stopping debugging too quickly after starting a debug session on iOS causes a hang in the debugger. |
| Intellisense does't recognize x:FactoryMethod attribute in XAML |
| Debugger error on single-step when using Debug.WriteLine in a Windows.Forms app with WPF ElementHost |
| Constant CPU usage when solution loaded |
| Incorrect detection of support for nodiscard with reason |
| intellisense/vcpkgsrv crashes on deduction guide |
| SQL Server unit Testing projects template not found in VS2019 |
| 'codedesign' exited with code 1 |
| Android Device Manager Internet Connection Issues |
| Bad SSE code generation with VS2019 |
| error LNK2005: '__cdecl Windows::Foundation::operator co_await(struct Windows::Foundation::IAsyncAction ^)' (??__LFoundation@Windows@@YA@PE$AAUIAsyncAction@01@@Z) already defined in pch.obj |
| Dynamic library project - native lib dependency link error using C++/Cli and netcoreapp3.1 target |
| Missing content priority properties in iOS designer when view is contained in UIStackView |
| Xamarin mobile debugger brings IDE to a crawl |
| CMakeLists.txt missing entry point to 'Debug and Launch Settings' in Folder View for Linux and WSL configs |
| visual studio won't start when switched back to scaling 250% from 100% |
| Add support for skipping dotnet dev-certs when debugging |
| Splitting a string with a regex returns seemingly wrong results |
| C++ dependent base classes and SEH exception filters |
| VC 16.3 list::splice bug |
| The dialog message when i delete a file from a project is strange. |
| Create Publish Settings - 'Create Profile' button not opening create profile wizard |
| AppInstaller.exe can't open *.applinstaller file that 's maked from Windows Application Packaging Project. |
| Adding New Item dialog is missing Inherited Form / User Control Options From Windows Forms selection |
| View in browser does not give me the page that i was inside it goes to the default route. |
| VS 16.4.0 Preview 1.0 - BuildWindow InvalidOperationException |
| Reordering window tabs when tabs are on the left |
| Miss Translation in 'Visual Studio Feedback' window. |
| Incorrect error reporing of decltype(member)::staticMethod() |
| REGRESSION: IntelliSense error when initializing a C++/CLI value class with '{}'. |
| Build process for cpp project in VS2019 developer command prompt uses VS2019 cl.exe for .v141 Platformtoolset |
| High CPU usage |
| IntegratedConsoleDebugging project capability not respected by Asp.Net Core project system |
| Crash when opening any file with Lang Pack installed |
| Editing razor component crash |
Details of What's New in Visual Studio version 16.5 Preview 1
Visual Studio IDE
On-hover a close button appears for each document in the tab group overflow list.
.NET Productivity
You can now use System.HashCode to implement the GetHashCode method when System.HashCode is available.
You can now convert if to switch statements or switch expressions. Place your cursor on the if keyword. Press (Ctrl+.) to trigger the Quick Actions and Refactorings menu. Select Convert to 'switch' statement or Convert to 'switch' expression.
There is now IntelliSense completion for unimported extension methods. You will first need to turn this option on in Tools > Options > Text Editor > C# > Intellisense > and select Show items from unimported namespaces.
WPF/UWP Tooling
Dragging an image from your project into the XAML editor will now generate a XAML image tag with the Source property set to the correct image path.
XAML Designer Suggested Actions enables easy access to common properties when a control is selected within the XAML Designer. To use this feature first enable it through Options > Preview Features > XAML Suggested Actions. Once enabled click on a supported control and use the lightbulb to expand and interact with the Suggestion Actions UI. In this release supported controls include: Border, Button, Canvas, CheckBox, ComboBox, Grid, Image, Label, ListBox, ListView, StackPanel, TextBlock, TextBox. While in preview this feature is also only available for WPF .NET Core applications and doesn’t support extensibility, nor is it feature complete.
Other improvements include:
- Enabled support for the 1909 version of Windows 10 as a UWP target platform.
JavaScript/TypeScript
VS Search now supports the ability to search for types and members in TypeScript and JavaScript files. There is also support for searching JavaScript blocks in open markup files (i.e. HTML, CSHTML)
Visual Studio now supports ESLint for Typescript files: there is a global configuration with a set of recommended rules or ESLint can be set up locally to a project with full customization. More information and instructions available on our GitHub page
Known Issues
Visual Studio Code 2019 Download
See all open issues and available workarounds in Visual Studio 2019 by following the below link.
Feedback
We would love to hear from you! For issues, let us know through the Report a Problem option in the upper right-handcorner of either the installer or the Visual Studio IDE itself. The icon is located in the upper right-hand corner.You can make a product suggestion or track your issues in the Visual Studio Developer Community, where you can ask questions, find answers, and propose new features.You can also get free installation help through our Live Chat support.
Blogs
Take advantage of the insights and recommendations available in the Developer Tools Blogs site to keep you up-to-date on all new releases and include deep dive posts on a broad range of features.
Visual Studio 2019 Release Notes History
For more information relating to past versions of Visual Studio 2019, see the Visual Studio 2019 Release Notes History page.
Check the system requirements before you begin.
Installation
Xamarin can be installed as part of a new Visual Studio 2019 installation, with the following steps:
Download Visual Studio 2019 Community, Visual Studio Professional, orVisual Studio Enterprise from theVisual Studio page (downloadlinks are provided at the bottom).
Double-click the downloaded package to start installation.
Select the Mobile development with .NET workload from theinstallation screen:
When you are ready to begin Visual Studio 2019 installation, click theInstall button in the lower right-hand corner:
Use the progress bars to monitor the installation:
When Visual Studio 2019 installation has completed, click the Launchbutton to start Visual Studio:
Adding Xamarin to Visual Studio 2019
If Visual Studio 2019 is already installed, add Xamarin byre-running the Visual Studio 2019 installer to modify workloads (seeModify Visual Studiofor details). Next, follow the steps listed above to install Xamarin.
For more information about downloading and installing Visual Studio2019, see Install Visual Studio 2019.
In Visual Studio 2019, verify that Xamarin is installed byclicking the Help menu. If Xamarin is installed, you shouldsee a Xamarin menu item as shown in this screenshot:
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You can also click Help > About Microsoft Visual Studio and scrollthrough the list of installed products to see if Xamarin is installed:
For more information about locating version information, seeWhere can I find my version information and logs?
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Next steps
Installing Xamarin in Visual Studio 2019 allows you to start writing codefor your apps, but does require additional setup for building anddeploying your apps to simulator, emulator, and device. Visit thefollowing guides to complete your installation and start building crossplatform apps.
iOS
For more detailed information, see the Installing Xamarin.iOS on Windows guide.
- iOS Developer Setup - Required to run your application on device
Android
For more detailed information, see the Installing Xamarin.Android on Windows guide.