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Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: docs/ide/how-to-locate-and-organize-project-and-item-templates.md
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When template files are placed in a known location, Visual Studio can locate the files and make them available for creating new projects and new items. Templates provide a convenient way to create applications, access class libraries, implement unit tests, and set up configuration files.
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Installed templates and user templates (*.vstemplate* files) are stored in different locations. You can also customize the locations with Visual Studio options.
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Installed templates and user templates (`.vstemplate` files) are stored in different locations. You can also customize the locations with Visual Studio options.
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This article describes the template file locations recognized by Visual Studio.
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## Location for user templates
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When you add a compressed (*.zip*) file that includes a *.vstemplate* file to the user template directory, Visual Studio makes the template available in the **New project** and **New item** dialogs. By default, user templates are placed in the following locations:
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When you add a compressed (`.zip`) file that includes a `.vstemplate` file to the user template directory, Visual Studio makes the template available in the **New project** and **New item** dialogs. By default, user templates are placed in the following locations:
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: docs/msbuild/build-process-overview.md
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---
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title: How MSBuild builds projects
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description: Discover how MSBuild processes your project files, whether you invoke the build tool from Visual Studio or from a command line or script.
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ms.date: 3/10/2025
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ms.date: 8/14/2025
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ms.topic: overview
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helpviewer_keywords:
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- MSBuild, build process overview
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---
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# How MSBuild builds projects
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How does MSBuild actually work? In this article, you'll learn how MSBuild processes your project files, whether invoked from Visual Studio, or from a command line or script. Knowing how MSBuild works can help you better diagnose problems and better customize your build process. This article describes the build process and is largely applicable to all project types.
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MSBuild is Microsoft's build engine that is used to build most Visual Studio projects. MSBuild invokes compilers and other tools to build your code, but also includes flexible configuration and customization options, and infrastructure for creating not just compiled binaries, but also a wide range of other output artifacts. MSBuild is very configurable and customizable, but to get the most out of this customizability, it's important to understand how MSBuild works. In this article, you'll learn how MSBuild processes your project files, whether invoked from Visual Studio, or from a command line or script. Knowing how MSBuild works can help you better diagnose problems and better customize your build process. This article describes the build process and is largely applicable to all project types.
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The complete build process consists of [initial startup](#startup), [evaluation](#evaluation-phase), and [execution](#execution-phase) of the targets and tasks that build the project. In addition to these inputs, external imports define the details of the build process, including both [standard imports](#standard-imports) such as *Microsoft.Common.targets* and [user-configurable imports](#user-configurable-imports) at the solution or project level.
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The complete build process consists of
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-[initial startup](#startup) - the processing of command-line options.
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-[evaluation](#evaluation-phase) - the interpretation and processing of the text of the MSBuild project file.
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-[execution](#execution-phase) - runs the targets and tasks that build the project.
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In addition to the source files and other input artifacts, external imports define the details of the build process, including both [standard imports](#standard-imports) such as *Microsoft.Common.targets* and [user-configurable imports](#user-configurable-imports) at the solution or project level.
Adding your generated file to `None` or `Content` is sufficient for the build process to see it. You also want to ensure it gets added at the right time. Ideally, your target runs before `BeforeBuild`. `AssignTargetPaths` is another possible target, as it is the final opportunity to modify `None` and `Content` items (among others) before they are transformed into new items. See [Common Item Types](common-msbuild-project-items.md).
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Copy the above, paste it into a file, and call it `buildcodegen.targets`. Then, run `dotnet new console`, import the file, and build it to see how it works.
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```xml
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<ProjectSdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
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<ImportProject="buildcodegen.targets"/>
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<PropertyGroup>
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<OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
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<TargetFramework>net9.0</TargetFramework>
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<ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
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<Nullable>enable</Nullable>
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</PropertyGroup>
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</Project>
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```
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Run *msbuild.exe* and look at the output to verify that your file was generated and copied to the output folder. You can use *ildasm.exe* to confirm that your output binaries include the generated code `MyEnum`:
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`ildasm CodeGen.dll`
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## Next steps
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This example could be improved to support more realistic use cases. For example, to support [incremental builds](./incremental-builds.md) when the generated code depends on an input file, `Inputs` and `Outputs` should be provided to the target. Such a target would only regenerate the file if the date of the input file or files is more recent than the output file. Often when customizing for code generation, it's recommended to create a custom task. See [Create a custom task for code generation](./tutorial-custom-task-code-generation.md).
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: docs/msbuild/property-functions.md
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<NewGuid>$([System.Guid]::NewGuid())</NewGuid>
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```
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For overloaded methods, MSBuild tries to find a method with matching parameters.
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In MSBuild 17.14 and later, you can use the parameter syntax `out _` to specify an `out` parameter. See [Reference parameters](/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/method-parameters#reference-parameters). The `out` parameter value is ignored. For example:
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```xml
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<IsInteger>$([System.Int32]::TryParse("123", out _))</IsInteger>
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```
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The property `IsInteger` is `true` if the input is successfully parsed as an integer, but the parsed value is ignored.
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In static property functions, you can use any public static method or property defined in .NET Standard 2.0 for these system classes:
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: subscriptions/buy-activate-retail.md
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author: joseb-rdc
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ms.author: amast
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manager: shve
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ms.date: 09/16/2024
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ms.date: 08/27/2025
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ms.topic: how-to
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description: Purchase Visual Studio subscriptions in the Microsoft Store and activate them in the Visual Studio subscriptions portal.
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---
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# Visual Studio subscriptions are available through the Microsoft Store
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Visual Studio subscriptions are available through various channels. Choose from [Volume Licensing](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default), Cloud Solution Providers, the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/subscriptions), and Microsoft Store. This article explores purchasing and activating subscriptions through the [Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/store/collections/visualstudio).
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Visual Studio subscriptions are available through various channels. Choose from [Volume Licensing](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default), Cloud Solution Providers, the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/subscriptions), and Microsoft Store. This article explores purchasing and activating subscriptions through the [Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/store/collections/visualstudio).
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## How to buy subscriptions
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Need help with deciding which subscription is right for you? Check out our [subscription benefits page](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/benefits/).
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Need help with deciding which subscription is right for you? Check out our [subscription benefits page](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/benefits/).
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Visual Studio subscriptions available through the Microsoft Store include:
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+[Visual Studio Enterprise](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-enterprise-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst4?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
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+[Visual Studio Professional](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-professional-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst3?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
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+[Visual Studio Test Professional](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-test-professional-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst6?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
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Each of these subscriptions offers the option to make an initial purchase or to renew an existing subscription. Renewal pricing, which reflects a significant discount, is only available for existing subscriptions.
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Each of these subscriptions offers the option to make an initial purchase or to renew an existing subscription. Renewal pricing, which reflects a significant discount, is only available for existing subscriptions.
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> [!IMPORTANT]
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> To qualify to renew subscriptions at the discounted renewal price, subscriptions should be renewed before they expire. Subscriptions expired for 30 days or more are not eligible for renewal pricing.
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> To qualify to renew subscriptions at the discounted renewal price, subscriptions should be renewed before they expire. Subscriptions expired for 30 days or more aren't eligible for renewal pricing.
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## How to activate subscriptions
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After you purchase a Visual Studio subscription through the Microsoft Store, you can begin the activation process from the payment confirmation page or confirmation email you received after your purchase.
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1. Select the **Click here to sign in** link in the confirmation email or on the purchase confirmation page.
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2. You are redirected to [https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate](https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs).
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2. You're redirected to [https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate](https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs).
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3. Enter the email address that requires access to the Visual Studio subscription and select **Continue**.
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4. You may be redirected to one of two different sign-in pages depending on the type of account you're using:
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4. You might be redirected to one of two different sign-in pages depending on the type of account you're using:
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- Subscribers using their personal "Microsoft Account" (MSA) see the Microsoft Account password page.
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- Subscribers using their work/school accounts are redirected to their organization's sign-in page.
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5. Enter your password, or complete your organization's sign-in requirements.
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6. Upon successful sign-in, an "Activate Your Visual Studio Subscription" window appears.
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7. Enter the product key information available from the payment "Confirmation Page" or "Confirmation Email" and select **Activate**.
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8. The subscription should now be visible on the [Subscriptions](https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) page and you should have access to all your subscription benefits.
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> [!NOTE]
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> When you buy a Retail Visual Studio Subscription through the Microsoft Store or another retail channel, you manage it differently than subscriptions from Volume Licensing or Enterprise Agreements using the Visual Studio Subscriptions Admin portal (manage.visualstudio.com).
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>
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>These subscriptions are activated using a product key and are intended for individual developers and small teams. As such, they don't include access to subscription management features such as user assignment, or renewal automation. These capabilities are only available for subscriptions provisioned through organizational licensing programs.
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## Support for Microsoft Store
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If you have any questions about purchasing through the Microsoft Store, help is available. Contact [Microsoft Store Support](https://support.microsoft.com/help/28808/microsoft-store-contact-support?ocid=MSCOMStoreFooter-ContactUs).
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If you have any questions about purchasing through the Microsoft Store, help is available. Contact [Microsoft Store Support](https://support.microsoft.com/help/28808/microsoft-store-contact-support?ocid=MSCOMStoreFooter-ContactUs).
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## Resources
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## Next steps
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Once you've activated your subscription, visit the [Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) page to see all the tools, services, training, and support benefits included in your subscription. We recommend setting up these benefits to get started:
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Once your subscription is active, visit the [Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) page to see all the tools, services, training, and support benefits included in your subscription. We recommend setting up these benefits to get started:
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