How to install visual studio 2019 community version

Question

Hi their, i don't see some important feature in visual studio 2022 community version so i want to download visual studio 2019 community version. But it is asking key to install vs2019.
How should i install vs2019. I want to develop miniFilter driver.
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi @Beast, 

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A! 

You can try to download the VS2019 Community using the link:

https://aka.ms/vs/16/release/vs_community.exe 

Sincerely,

Anna

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Answer 2

VS 2029 is already out-of-support

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/visual-studio-2019

You would need a subscription to get older version

https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/older-downloads/

Better use VS 2022

Answer 3

Community edition is special. Microsoft does not support any version of VS Community Edition other than the latest version which is VS 2022. If you have an MSDN subscription or a previous license to VS 2019 Professional/Edition then you can install and continue to use it. It is in extended support until 2029.

If you happen to have a copy of the VS 2019 Community installer then you can continue to install and use it. It won't just stop working. The trick is that you have to have already gotten a copy of the installer first. In the future, if you want to go this route, then I'd recommend keeping a copy of the installer so you can get back to it if needed.

Out of curiosity, is there a particular reason why you need VS2019? VS2022 is compatible with it and solutions loaded in one can be loaded in the other so you can technically bounce between the 2 versions in most cases. You mentioned minifilter drivers but that is supported in VS022 as well. I know the template for it was removed because it wasn't useful. Here's a link to a discussion about the changes and a starter file that might help you.