Merge branch 'main' of https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/visualstudio-docs-pr into vs3

Author: v-thepet

docs/debugger/autos-and-locals-windows.md

@@ -222,8 +222,8 @@ In addition, Copilot provides more precise help for some targeted scenarios, suc
 |Conditional breakpoints and tracepoints|See [Get suggestions with conditional breakpoints and tracepoints](#get-suggestions-with-conditional-breakpoints-and-tracepoints) in this article.|
 |Quick Actions (light bulb)|See [Get AI assistance with Quick Actions](../ide/quick-actions.md#get-ai-assistance).|
 |IEnumerable tabular visualizer|See [Modify the visualizer expression](../debugger/view-data-in-tabular-visualizer.md#modify-the-expression-in-the-ienumerable-visualizer).|
-|Inline return values|See [View return values of method calls](../debugger/autos-and-locals-windows.md#view-return-values-of-method-calls).|
+|Inline return values|See [View return values of method calls](../debugger/autos-and-locals-windows.md#view-inline-return-values-of-method-calls-in-the-code-editor).|
 |Summary thread descriptions|See [Threads View (Parallel Stacks)](../debugger/using-the-parallel-stacks-window.md#threads-view).|
 |Auto insights for profiling|See [Get AI assistance with Auto insights](../profiling/cpu-insights.md#get-ai-assistance).|
 
-In most of these scenarios, you get targeted assistance by using the **Ask Copilot** ![Screenshot of Ask Copilot button.](../debugger/media/vs-2022/debug-with-copilot-ask-copilot-button.png) button. Copilot already knows the context for your questions. For example, it knows the current call stack, the code line you are asking about, and the name of the exception (if one occurred), so you don't need to provide context yourself in chat. Copilot also provides suggestions for the use of conditional breakpoints and tracepoints.
+In most of these scenarios, you get targeted assistance by using the **Ask Copilot** ![Screenshot of Ask Copilot button.](../debugger/media/vs-2022/debug-with-copilot-ask-copilot-button.png) button. Copilot already knows the context for your questions. For example, it knows the current call stack, the code line you're asking about, and the name of the exception (if one occurred), so you don't need to provide context yourself in chat. Copilot also provides suggestions for the use of conditional breakpoints and tracepoints.

docs/debugger/debug-with-copilot.md

@@ -1,48 +1,49 @@
 ---
-title: Start the Spy++ tool to debug a solution
+title: Start the Spy++ Tool to Debug a Solution
 description: Explore the Spy++ tool in Visual Studio for debugging a solution and start the tool from the integrated development environment (IDE) or from a command prompt.
-ms.date: 02/05/2024
+ms.date: 04/17/2025
 ms.topic: how-to
 helpviewer_keywords: 
   - Spy++, starting
 author: mikejo5000
 ms.author: mikejo
 manager: mijacobs
 ms.subservice: debug-diagnostics
+#customer intent: As a developer, I want to use the Spy++ tool in Visual Studio so I can debug my solution.
 ---
 
 # Start Spy++
 
 You can start Spy++ either from Visual Studio or at a command prompt.
 
- When you start Spy++, if a message is displayed to ask permission to make changes to the computer, select **Yes**.
+When you start Spy++, if a message appears requesting permission to make changes to the computer, select **Yes**.
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> You can run only one instance of Spy++. If you try to start a second instance, it just causes the currently running instance to get the focus.
+> You can run only one instance of Spy++. If you try to start a second instance, the current running instance gets the focus.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-Spy++ requires the following components. You can select these components from the Visual Studio Installer by selecting the **Individual Components** tab, and then selecting the following components.
+Spy++ requires the following components. You can select these components from the Visual Studio Installer by selecting the **Individual Components** tab, and then selecting the following components:
 
-* Under Debugging and testing, select **C++ profiling tools**
-* Under Development activities, select **C++ core features**
+* Under **Debugging and testing**, select **C++ profiling tools**.
+* Under **Development activities**, select **C++ core features**.
 
-If you made any changes, follow the prompts to install these components.
+If you make any changes in the Visual Studio Installer, follow the prompts to complete installation of these components.
 
 ## Start Spy++ from Visual Studio
 
 On the **Tools** menu, select **Spy++**.
 
-Because Spy++ runs independently, after you start it you can close Visual Studio.
+Because Spy++ runs independently, after you start the tool, you can close Visual Studio.
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> When you log messages with Spy++, it might cause the operating system to perform more slowly.
+> When you log messages with Spy++, you might notice the operating system performing more slowly.
 
 ## Start Spy++ at a command prompt
 
-1. In a Command Prompt window, change directories to the folder that contains spyxx.exe. Typically, the path to this folder is ..\\*Visual Studio installation folder*\Common7\Tools\\.
+1. Open a Command Prompt window, and change directories to the folder that contains the *spyxx.exe* file. Typically, the path to this folder is *..\\\<Visual Studio installation folder>\Common7\Tools\\*.
 
-2. Enter *spyxx.exe* or, for the 64-bit version, *spyxx_amd64.exe*.
+1. Enter *spyxx.exe* or, for the 64-bit version, enter *spyxx_amd64.exe*.
 
 For more information on the 32-bit and 64-bit version of Spy++, see [64-bit operating systems](introducing-spy-increment.md#64-bit-operating-systems).
 

docs/debugger/how-to-start-spy-increment.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-title: "MSB4096: The item 'item' in item list 'item-list' does not define a value for metadata 'name'"
-description: "This error occurs when your MSBuild script uses a shorthand unqualified syntax for referencing item metadata without fully qualifying it with the Item name."
-ms.date: "07/07/2021"
+title: MSB4096 diagnostic code
+description: Learn about the possible causes of the MSB4096 build error and get troubleshooting tips.
+ms.date: 04/16/2025
 ms.topic: "error-reference"
 f1_keywords:
  - MSB4096
@@ -16,16 +16,22 @@ ms.author: ghogen
 manager: mijacobs
 ms.subservice: msbuild
 ---
-# MSB4096: The item 'item' in item list 'item-list' does not define a value for metadata 'name'
+# MSB4096
 
-The full error message resembles the following example:
+This article describes the MSB4096 error code.
 
-```output
-MSB4096: The item 'item' in item list 'item-list' does not define a value for metadata 'name'.  In order to use this metadata, either qualify it by specifying %(item-name.metadata-name), or ensure that all items in this list define a value for this metadata.
-```
+## Message text
 
-This error occurs when your MSBuild script uses a shorthand unqualified syntax for referencing item metadata `%(MetadataName)`, without fully qualifying it with the Item name, as in `%(ItemName.MetadataName)`. The error text suggests qualifying the metadata by prefixing the metadata name with the Item name. For example, `%(File.Extension)` rather than just `%(Extension)`.
+`MSB4096: The item 'item' in item list 'item-list' does not define a value for metadata 'name'.  In order to use this metadata, either qualify it by specifying %(item-name.metadata-name), or ensure that all items in this list define a value for this metadata.`
 
-You can also avoid this error by ensuring that all items of the given type define a value for the metadata.
+## Description
 
-See [Item metadata](../msbuild-items.md#item-metadata).
+This error occurs when your MSBuild script uses a shorthand unqualified syntax to reference item metadata `%(MetadataName)` without fully qualifying it with the `Item` name, as in `%(ItemName.MetadataName)`. The error text suggests qualifying the metadata by prefixing the metadata name with the `Item` name. For example, use the syntax `%(File.Extension)` rather than `%(Extension)`.
+
+## Resolution
+
+Ensure all items of the given type define a value for the metadata. For more information, see [Item metadata](../msbuild-items.md#item-metadata).
+
+## Applies to
+
+All versions of MSBuild

docs/msbuild/errors/msb4096.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-title: "MSB4166"
-description: "MSBuild can use multiple processes and there's a scheduler process that distributes work to the various processor nodes. If the worker process crashes, then the scheduler emits this error."
-ms.date: "07/07/2021"
+title: MSB4166 diagnostic code
+description: Learn about the possible causes of the MSB4166 build error and get troubleshooting tips.
+ms.date: 04/16/2025
 ms.topic: "error-reference"
 f1_keywords:
  - MSB4166
@@ -18,12 +18,26 @@ ms.subservice: msbuild
 ---
 # MSB4166
 
-```output
-MSB4166: Child node 'node' exited prematurely. Shutting down. Diagnostic information may be found in files in 'path' and will be named MSBuild_*.failure.txt. This location can be changed by setting the MSBUILDDEBUGPATH environment variable to a different directory.
-```
+This article describes the MSB4166 error code.
 
-The error text shown is followed by the exception text, if any.
+## Message text
 
-MSBuild can use multiple processes and there's a scheduler process that distributes work to the various worker nodes. If the worker process crashes without reporting an error to the scheduler, then the scheduler emits this error. Check the error log in the temporary files folder in *MSBuild_{guid}.failure.txt*.
+`MSB4166: Child node 'node' exited prematurely. Shutting down. Diagnostic information may be found in files in 'path' and will be named MSBuild_*.failure.txt. This location can be changed by setting the MSBUILDDEBUGPATH environment variable to a different directory.`
 
-This error usually indicates an MSBuild issue, and should be reported to Microsoft. Please report the issue in the [MSBuild GitHub repository](https://github.com/Microsoft/msbuild) or at [Developer Community](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/search?space=8).
+## Description
+
+The error output text is followed by the exception text, if any.
+
+MSBuild can use multiple processes and there's a scheduler process that distributes work to the various worker nodes. If the worker process crashes without reporting an error to the scheduler, then the scheduler emits this error.
+
+## Resolution
+
+Check the error log in the temporary files folder in *MSBuild_{guid}.failure.txt*.
+
+### Report error
+
+This error usually indicates an MSBuild issue, and should be reported to Microsoft. You can report the issue in the [MSBuild GitHub repository](https://github.com/Microsoft/msbuild) or at the [Developer Community](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/search?space=8) site.
+
+## Applies to
+
+All versions of MSBuild

docs/msbuild/errors/msb4166.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-title: "MSB4175: The task factory 'task-factory-name' could not be loaded from the assembly 'assembly-name'."
-description: "This error occurs when MSBuild encounters a problem during the creation of a task using a task factory."
-ms.date: "07/07/2021"
+title: MSB4175 diagnostic code
+description: Learn about the possible causes of the MSB4175 build error and get troubleshooting tips.
+ms.date: 04/16/2025
 ms.topic: "error-reference"
 f1_keywords:
  - MSB4175
@@ -16,11 +16,31 @@ ms.author: ghogen
 manager: mijacobs
 ms.subservice: msbuild
 ---
-# MSB4175: The task factory 'task-factory-name' could not be loaded from the assembly 'assembly-name'
+# MSB4175
 
-This error occurs when MSBuild encounters a problem during the creation of a task using a task factory.
+This article describes the MSB4175 error code.
 
-When MSBuild processes a UsingTask, a task factory builds an instance of a task that is then invoked. Typically, an assembly or DLL is used, but the task might also be created dynamically from code, as in the case of `CodeTaskFactory` and `RoslynTaskFactory`, or from XAML, as in the case of `XamlTaskFactory`. A second error might give more information on the cause of the failure. Common reasons for this error include:
+## Message text
 
-- The task assembly couldn't be loaded. Check the path and permissions on the file.
-- There's a coding error in the code used to dynamically create the task. The compiler error will be shown in a second error.
+`MSB4175: The task factory 'task-factory-name' could not be loaded from the assembly 'assembly-name'.`
+
+## Description
+
+This error occurs when MSBuild encounters a problem during the creation of a task by using a task factory. The output message might describe a second error that can provide more information about the cause of the failure.
+
+When MSBuild processes a `UsingTask` task, a task factory builds an instance of a task which is then invoked. Typically, an assembly or DLL is used. The task might also be created dynamically from code with the `CodeTaskFactory` and `RoslynTaskFactory` tasks, for example. The task might also be created from XAML, such as by using the `XamlTaskFactory` task.
+
+Common causes for this error include:
+
+- The task assembly can't load due to possible errors in the path or insufficient permissions on the file.
+- A coding error exists in the code used to dynamically create the task. The compiler error is listed as the second error.
+
+## Resolution
+
+Look to the extra error information provided to determine the cause of the problem. As applicable, investigate any reported compiler errors.
+
+Confirm the task assembly can load. Verify the file path is accurate and the file permissions allow sufficient access. 
+
+## Applies to
+
+All versions of MSBuild

docs/msbuild/errors/msb4175.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-title: "MSB4181: The 'task' task returned false but did not log an error"
-description: "This error occurs when a task returned false without logging an error. This indicates a failure from a task that did not report enough information about the problem."
-ms.date: "05/26/2021"
+title: MSB4181 diagnostic code
+description: Learn about the possible causes of the MSB4181 build error and get troubleshooting tips.
+ms.date: 04/16/2025
 ms.topic: "error-reference"
 f1_keywords:
  - MSB4181
@@ -16,16 +16,30 @@ ms.author: ghogen
 manager: mijacobs
 ms.subservice: msbuild
 ---
-# MSB4181: The 'task' task returned false but did not log an error
+# MSB4181
 
-This error occurs when a task returned `false` to signal that it didn't complete successfully, but didn't log an error. If you see this error, it means task failed, but it didn't report a specific error with more information.  
+This article describes the MSB4181 error code.
 
-To diagnose the problem, first enable a diagnostic log (use the `-verbosity:diag` command-line switch), and check the MSBuild log file with the full diagnostics output. For bigger output logs on large projects, consider using the binary log (`-bl` command-line switch) and the [MSBuild Structured Log Viewer](https://msbuildlog.com/) to view the output more easily.
+## Message text
 
-You can also set the `MSBuildDebugEngine` environment variable to 1 to get all possible logs. See [Building MSBuild for the .NET Framework - Logs](https://github.com/dotnet/msbuild/blob/main/documentation/wiki/Building-Testing-and-Debugging-on-Full-Framework-MSBuild.md#logs).
+`MSB4181: The 'task' task returned false but did not log an error.`
+
+## Description
+
+This error occurs when a task returns `false` to signal that it didn't complete successfully and also didn't log an error. If you see this error, it means the task failed, but there's no report with specific error information available.
+
+## Resolution
+
+First, enable a diagnostic log by using the `-verbosity:diag` command-line switch, and then check the MSBuild log file with the full diagnostics output. For longer output logs on large projects, consider using the binary log `-bl` command-line switch with the [MSBuild Structured Log Viewer](https://msbuildlog.com/) to view the output more easily. 
+
+You can also set the `MSBuildDebugEngine` environment variable to 1 to get all possible logs. For more information, see [Building MSBuild for the .NET Framework - Logs](https://github.com/dotnet/msbuild/blob/main/documentation/wiki/Building-Testing-and-Debugging-on-Full-Framework-MSBuild.md#logs).
 
 If the task ran an executable, try running the executable separately with the same inputs and command line.
 
 If you know the owner of the task, consider reporting this issue to the task owner and recommending that they modify the task to log more information.
 
-If it's a custom task and you are the task owner, consider improving the error logging. For example, if an API you're calling could throw an exception, add an exception handler that logs the exception message.
+If it's a custom task and you're the task owner, consider improving the error logging. For example, if an API you're calling might throw an exception, add an exception handler to log the exception message.
+
+## Applies to
+
+All versions of MSBuild

docs/msbuild/errors/msb4181.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-title: "MSB4184: The expression 'expression' cannot be evaluated."
-description: "This error occurs if MSBuild can't interpret an expression found in a project file."
-ms.date: "08/15/2022"
+title: MSB4184 diagnostic code
+description: Learn about the possible causes of the MSB4184 build error and get troubleshooting tips.
+ms.date: 04/16/2025
 ms.topic: "error-reference"
 f1_keywords:
  - MSB4184
@@ -18,16 +18,24 @@ ms.subservice: msbuild
 ---
 # MSB4184
 
-This error occurs if MSBuild can't interpret an expression found in a project file or an imported file.
+This article describes the MSB4184 error code.
 
-The message resembles the following, but this text is followed by the exception text from the underlying code:
+## Message text
 
-```output
-The expression 'expression' cannot be evaluated.
-```
+`MSB4184: The expression 'expression' cannot be evaluated.`
 
-For example, if the project file contains invalid elements or value, you might get this error.
+## Description
+
+The standard output message text is followed by the exception text from the underlying code, if any.
+
+This error occurs if MSBuild can't interpret an expression found in a project file or an imported file. For example, if the project file contains invalid elements or values, you might get this error.
+
+## Resolution
 
 Look to the exception message provided by the underlying code to determine the cause of the problem.
 
 Check the syntax of the code that resulted in the error.
+
+## Applies to
+
+All versions of MSBuild