The application which this project type is based on was not found. Please try this link for further information

Question

I I have recently migrated my project to a private GIT repository.
My master branch loads just fine on workstation 1, but I wanted to test that I could download and build the repository on workstation 2.
The project downloads just fine, however I can’t get past three projects, of about 30 or so, not loading.
I get the error ‘The application which this project type is based on was not found. Please try this link for further information.’
I Googled it to try and find a solution. The forums I searched advised me to make sure that certain components such as ‘web development’ tools were installed. I checked and made sure that all of the obvious components were installed.
Can you please point me to a place were I could find out exactly what is missing? The error is very generic and could point to many missing things.
I am using .NET 4.72 and ASP.NET MVC. There are a couple of C# library projects that don’t load as well as a web project. Other C# library projects, as well as all C++ projects are loading just fine.

Answer 1

Thanks for your advice. I managed to solve this issue.

It was due to missing components workstation 2.

Here is how I worked out what was missing:

On both workstations:

1. Open Visual Studio
2. Open Help -> About
3. Click 'Copy Info'
4. Compare the info, to find out what workstation 1 had that workstation 2 did not.
5. Install the missing components through Visual Studio installer and the extensions builder.

I am not an expert, but from my experience it seems that missing components that are available in one may not be available in the other.

For me I was missing lots of Azure stuff as well as stuff related to IceRpc, which is a 3rd party library I depend on.

Future readers will need to consider there own project in order to decide what needs to be installed.

Attention Mr Microsoft: It would be nice if VS told me straight out what I was missing rather than me having to guess.

Answer 2

Hi Manannan,

According to your description, the project is fine on Workstation1, but it cannot be loaded on Workstation2. It seems be caused by your Workstation2. Have you checked the difference between Workstation1 and Workstation2? And you could reboot the Workstation2 and try again.

If it persists, please share us some screenshots about the error messages so that we can investigate it further.

Best regards,
Anna

Answer 3

Hi thanks for your reply.

I don't expected based on what I have provided for you to point to the exact cause; the problem is that I have no idea where to go to get more information to help me track down the error!

Also how do I 'compare machines'. Is there an easier way than manually checking every installed component on both.

Rebooting didn't help.

Thanks