Configure legacy analysis for managed code

In Visual Studio, you can choose from a list of code analysis rule sets to apply to a managed code project. By default, the Microsoft Minimum Recommended Rules rule set is selected, but you can apply a different rule set if desired. Rule sets can be applied to one or multiple projects in a solution.

Note

This article applies to legacy analysis and not to .NET Compiler Platform-based code analyzers.

Configure a rule set for a .NET Framework project

  1. Open the Code Analysis tab on the project's property pages. You can do this in either of the following ways:

    • In Solution Explorer, choose the project. On the menu bar, select Analyze > Configure Code Analysis > For <projectname>.

    • Right-click the project in Solution Explorer and select Properties, and then select the Code Analysis tab.

  2. In the Configuration and Platform lists, choose the build configuration and target platform.

  3. To run code analysis every time the project is built using the selected configuration, select Run on build in the Binary analyzers section. You can also run legacy code analysis manually, see How to: Run Legacy Code Analysis Manually for Managed Code for more details.

  4. To view warnings from generated code, clear the Suppress results from generated code checkbox.

    Note

    This option does not suppress code analysis errors and warnings from generated code when the errors and warnings appear in forms and templates. You can both view and maintain the source code for a form or a template, and it won't be overwritten.

  5. In the Active rules list, do one of the following:

    • Select the rule set that you want to use.

    • Select <Browse> to find an existing custom rule set that is not in the list.

    • Define a custom rule set.

Specify rule sets for multiple projects in a solution

By default, all the managed projects of a solution are assigned the Microsoft Minimum Recommended Rules code analysis rule set. You can change the rule sets that are assigned to the projects of a solution in the Properties dialog box for the solution.

  1. Open the solution in Visual Studio.

  2. On the Analyze menu, select Configure Code Analysis for Solution.

  3. If necessary, expand Common Properties, and then select Code Analysis Settings.

  4. You can specify a rule set for one or more projects:

    • To specify a rule set for an individual project, choose the project name.

    • To specify a rule set for multiple projects, select Ctrl and the project names.

    • To specify all the projects in the solution, select Shift and the project list.

  5. Select the Rule Set field of a project, and then select the name of the rule set that you want to apply.