[This documentation is for preview only, and is subject to change in later releases. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]
Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 uses a new feature called the Extension Manager to add, remove, enable, and disable Visual Studio extensions. The Extension manager has a UI similar to that of the Windows Control Panel, and can be opened from the Tools menu in Visual Studio by selecting Extension Manager….
In addition, third party templates may now be installed from the New Project Dialog Box by clicking Search Online Templates… in the Templates pane.
The extension manager window is divided into three panes. The index pane, on the left, allows you to choose between Installed Extensions, new extensions from the Online Gallery, and Updates to installed extensions. You can then click on the subheadings to narrow your selection.
The selected group of extensions is then displayed in the list pane, in the middle of the window. You can use the Sort by: drop-down menu just above the list pane to sort the list.
When you click on an extension in the list pane, information about that extension appears in the details pane, on the right side of the window. Buttons then appear just below the details pane to download, uninstall, enable, or disable the extension, depending on its install state.
Above the details pane, a search box allows you to search installed extensions, the online gallery, or available updates, depending on your current selection in the index pane.
The Extension Manager loads extensions from the Visual Studio Gallery at http://visualstudiogallery.com/. These extensions may be packages, add-ins, templates, or other components which add functionality to Visual Studio.
Extension Types
The Extension Manager supports extensions in the VSIX package format, which may include project and item templates, toolbox items, MEF components, and VSPackages. Extension Manager can also load and install MSI-based extensions, but cannot disable or enable them. Visual Studio Gallery contains both VSIX and MSI extensions.
Dependency Handling
If a user tries to install an extension that has dependencies, the installer verifies that those dependencies are already installed. If they are not installed, the Extension Manager shows the user a list of dependent extensions that are missing and need to be installed first.
Installing Without Using Extension Manager
You can download extensions in the form of .vsix files directly from the Visual Studio Gallery and other locations using a web browser, or share them on an intranet. To install an extension from a .vsix file, double-click the file and follow the steps in the setup wizard. Once installed, you can remove, disable, or enable the extension by using Extension Manager.
Extension Types Not Supported by Extension Manager
Visual Studio 2010 continues to support previous deployment technologies, including the Visual Studio Content Installer (VSI) and the Microsoft Installer (MSI). The VSI format is used for macros, add-ins, code snippets, and other Visual Studio extension types. The MSI format is used for applications as well as extensions. Both .msi and .vsi files comprise complete packages, which you can download from the Web or obtain from other developers, and install by double-clicking and following the steps in the setup wizard.