简体中文
EnglishHow to Download Visual Studio or Explore All Versions
Updated
Go to visualstudio.microsoft.com and use the Get free download button on the main page to start the download, or select Explore all versions to compare editions before you commit. The homepage presents both options side by side, so you can either download immediately or review what's available first. If you're evaluating paid options, the pricing page includes a Buy link for paid subscriptions.
Downloading Visual Studio
The homepage is built around a single primary action: Get free download. This is the fastest path if you already know you want Visual Studio and just need the installer.
- Open visualstudio.microsoft.com.
- Select Get free download.
- Follow the installer flow for your platform.
The site describes Visual Studio as "the world's most popular IDE for the professional developer," with the download positioned as the entry point to the full toolset — not a limited trial.
Exploring All Versions Before You Download
If you're not sure which edition fits your work, choose Explore all versions instead of downloading right away. This option sits next to the download button on the homepage and lets you review the available editions before installing anything.
Use this path when:
- You're comparing editions for a team rather than a single developer.
- You want to confirm which version supports your target workloads (.NET, C++, gaming, cloud-native) before installing.
- You need to check whether a paid subscription applies to your scenario.
Free Download vs. Paid Subscriptions
The homepage offers a free download, and the site also links to a pricing page where paid subscriptions can be purchased via a Buy link. These are separate paths:
| Path | Where to find it | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Free download | Get free download on the homepage | Getting the IDE installed and starting to code |
| All versions | Explore all versions on the homepage | Comparing editions before choosing |
| Paid subscriptions | Buy link on the pricing page | Purchasing a subscription |
The site does not state on the homepage which specific features require a paid subscription, so if licensing matters for your decision, check the pricing page directly rather than assuming the free download covers everything.
What You Can Start Doing After Installing
Once installed, the site highlights several starting points:
- Start coding — IntelliSense provides context-aware suggestions as you type.
- Enhance with AI — GitHub Copilot assistance, including an agent mode.
- Debug confidently — a built-in debugger for catching issues before production.
- Test seamlessly — integrated testing for faster iterations.
- Deploy with CI/CD — Git and CI/CD integration, including GitHub.
The current release highlighted on the site is Visual Studio 2026, with built-in support for .NET 10, C# 14, Aspire, and cross-platform C++ tooling. If your project depends on one of these, confirm the edition you download includes it.
Common Stops Along the Way
- You only see the download button and want to compare first. Use Explore all versions rather than downloading and switching later.
- You're unsure whether you need to pay. The homepage's free download and the pricing page's paid subscriptions are distinct; review the pricing page if your use case may require a subscription.
- You want to know what's new before installing. The homepage calls out Visual Studio 2026 and its .NET 10 / C# 14 support, so you can check feature fit before committing to the install.