Setting up the AWS Toolkit for Visual Studio

This topic describes how to install and configure the Toolkit for Visual Studio.

Prerequisites

To install and configure the Toolkit for Visual Studio, you must:

• Have an AWS account. This account enables you to use AWS services. To get an AWS account, on the AWS home page, choose Create an AWS Account.

• Run a supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

  We recommend that you install the latest service packs and updates for the Windows version you're using.

• Visual Studio 2017 or later (including Community editions).

  We recommend that you install the latest service packs and updates.

Note

The Toolkit for Visual Studio is still available if you're using Visual Studio versions 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015 (including Express editions where available). However, these versions aren't supported. For Express editions, the installation includes only the AWS project templates and the standalone deployment tool. Visual Studio Express editions don't support third-party extensions, such as AWS Explorer. Find links to these older versions of the Toolkit for Visual Studio below in Older Versions of the Toolkit for Visual Studio.

Install the Toolkit for Visual Studio

Install for Visual Studio 2017 and Visual Studio 2019

The Toolkit for Visual Studio for Visual Studio 2017 and Visual Studio 2019 is distributed in the Visual Studio Marketplace. You can also install and update the toolkit within Visual Studio by navigating:

• (Visual Studio 2019) Extensions ≫ Manage Extensions

• (Visual Studio 2017) Tools ≫ Extensions and Updates

In the upper-right search box, search for AWS and choose Download for the "AWS Toolkit for Visual Studio 2017 and 2019". Choose Close.

After the toolkit has been installed, open it by choosing AWS Explorer from the View menu.

Install for Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015

The Toolkit for Visual Studio for Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015 are part of the AWS Tools for Windows. You can install the AWS Tools for Windows for these versions as follows.

1. Navigate to the page AWS Toolkit for Visual Studio.

2. In the Download section, choose Toolkit for Visual Studio 2013-2015 to download the installer.

3. To start the installation, run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions.

Note

By default, the Toolkit for Visual Studio is installed in the Program Files directory, which requires administrator privileges. To install the Toolkit for Visual Studio as a non-administrator, specify a different installation directory.

Uninstall the Toolkit for Visual Studio

Uninstall for Visual Studio 2017 and Visual Studio 2019

Uninstall the Toolkit for Visual Studio from within Visual Studio by using Tools ≫ Extensions and Updates (Visual Studio 2017) or Extensions ≫ Manage Extensions (Visual Studio 2019).

Uninstall for Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015

To uninstall the Toolkit for Visual Studio, you must uninstall the AWS Tools for Windows.

1. In Control Panel, open Programs and Features.

   Note

   To open Programs and Features directly, run appwiz.cpl from a command prompt or the Windows Run dialog.

2. Choose AWS Tools for Windows, and then choose Uninstall.

   

3. If prompted, choose Yes.

Uninstalling the AWS Tools for Windows doesn't remove the Samples directory. This directory is preserved in case you have modified the samples. You have to manually remove this directory.

Older versions of the Toolkit for Visual Studio

Visual Studio 2008—Install the Toolkit for Visual Studio 2008 from https://sdk-for-net.amazonwebservices.com/latest/AWSToolkitForVisualStudio2008.msi.

Visual Studio 2010 and 2012—Install the Toolkit for Visual Studio for Visual Studio 2010 and 2012 from https://sdk-for-net.amazonwebservices.com/latest/AWSToolkitForVisualStudio2010-2012.msi.