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.

May 2026

Code quality

Updated articles

• Install External Analyzers - Review and update screenshots

Containers

Updated articles

• Review and update links and text quality
  • Add support for containers
  • Visual Studio Container Tools on Windows
  • Error codes for Visual Studio Container Tools
• Deploy ASP.NET container app to Container Registry - Review and update screenshots

Data tools

Updated articles

• Add, update, or remove WCF data service reference - Review and update screenshots

Debugger

Updated articles

• Add source checksum algorithm details
  • CV_SourceChksum_t
• Fix DIA SDK links and references
  • IDiaDataSource::loadDataFromIStream
  • IDiaDataSourceEx::loadDataFromIStreamEx
• Tips and Tricks in the Debugger - Review and update screenshots
• Configure Hot Reload - Clarify configuration guidance
• Debug ASP.NET Core in the Visual Studio Debugger - Review and update
• Review and update
  • Debug C++ Code, Set Breakpoints, Inspect Variables
  • Debug Managed Code in the Visual Studio Debugger
• Review and update
  • Start the Spy++ Tool to Debug a Solution
  • Protected mode for dump debugging
  • Using the IntelliTrace stand-alone collector
  • Debugging Techniques and Tools

Extensibility

New articles

• Visual Studio Theme Color Tokens

Updated articles

• Set moniker range for UX color guidance
  • Color Value Reference
  • Shared Colors for Visual Studio
• Create Your First Extension Reference - Review and update screenshots

Get started

Updated articles

• Tutorial: Create a simple C# console app - Fix input validation pattern
• Tutorial: Add Icons to the Matching Game - Review and update screenshots

IDE

New articles

• Use the GitHub Copilot plan agent
• Razor editor code actions

Updated articles

• Add and refine Copilot plan agent and cloud workflow guidance
  • Use Agent Mode
  • Use custom agents in GitHub Copilot
  • Get Started with GitHub Copilot
• Add Chat History panel and Git context updates
  • Manage chat context in GitHub Copilot Chat
  • About GitHub Copilot Chat in Visual Studio
• Update Copilot billing and plan information
  • AI-assistance for developers in Visual Studio
  • Customize chat responses
  • GitHub Copilot Free in Visual Studio
  • GitHub Copilot usage and models
  • Manage GitHub Copilot installation and state
• Add Razor Quick Actions references
  • Common Quick Actions
  • Generate a method
  • Code cleanup refactorings
• Add system theme automatic change feature
  • Configure Visual Experience Options
  • Change Themes, Fonts, Text, Accessibility Options
  • Visual Studio Color Themes
• Use IntelliSense for quick information & completion - Clarify IntelliSense and Copilot priority
• Copilot Completions - Clarify IntelliSense and Copilot priority
• Update Team Explorer work items deprecation notes
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Develop code without projects or solutions
• Review and update screenshots and make other updates
  • Explore advanced features for developers
  • Customize and Save Layouts of Windows and Tabs
  • Identify and customize keyboard shortcuts
  • Manage application settings (.NET Framework)
  • Use MCP Servers
  • Multifactor authentication with Visual Studio sign-ins
  • Explore code editor features
  • GitHub Copilot Edits in Visual Studio

Install

Updated articles

• Using Visual Studio on an Azure Virtual Machine - Refresh links

JavaScript

Updated articles

• Review and update screenshots and freshness
  • Compile and build TypeScript code using NuGet
  • Explore the Visual Studio IDE for JavaScript
  • Create a Vue.js Project in Visual Studio
• Unit testing JavaScript and TypeScript - Clarify limitations and remove outdated links

Modeling

Updated articles

• Use the Modeling SDK for Visual Studio - Review and update

MSBuild

Updated articles

• Change waves - Sync with current MSBuild change waves
• Update an MSBuild custom task for multithreaded builds - Improve thread safety and experimental-status guidance

Profiling

Updated articles

• Review and update screenshots
  • Visualize dotnet counters
  • Identify hot paths with the Flame Graph

Python

Updated articles

• Apply moniker profiling updates for Visual Studio 2022 content
  • Python Support in Visual Studio on Windows
  • Run profiler to measure Python code performance

Test

Updated articles

• Review and update
  • Isolating Code Under Test with Microsoft Fakes
  • Isolate Your App with Shims (Unit Testing)

Version control

Updated articles

• Add and refine multiline diff support and review flows
  • Browse repos, compare branches & commits
  • Create a pull request in Visual Studio
  • Make a Git commit in Visual Studio
• Manage Git repos in Visual Studio - Add commit-to-chat context guidance

XML tools

Updated articles

• Work with the XML Schema Explorer - 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.

• jingeno - jingeno
• lvyijie - lvyijie

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 rn