A Complete Guide - ASP.NET Core Installing Visual Studio 2022

Step 2: Installing Visual Studio 2022

Once the installer is downloaded, run it to start the installation process.

How to:

1. Run the installer: Locate the vs_community.exe file (or similar depending on your edition) in your downloads folder, then double-click to run it.
2. Choose what to install: On the next screen, select "ASP.NET and web development" under the Workloads section. This includes everything needed to build ASP.NET Core projects.
   • You can also install additional workloads if you want, such as ".NET desktop development", "Azure development", etc.
3. Install individual components: Optionally, you can install individual components by navigating to the "Individual components" tab on the left. Search for components like ".NET SDK", "C#", etc., and select them to include.
4. Select location: Choose the folder where you want Visual Studio to be installed. The default location should be fine for most users.
5. Start Installation: Click on the "Install" button at the bottom right corner of the installer window.
6. Wait for Completion: The installer will take some time to download and install the required files. Go get a cup of coffee while it's working!
7. Launch Visual Studio: Once the installation is complete, click the "Launch" button to open Visual Studio.

Example:

Image shows the "Workloads" tab selected during installation, with "ASP.NET and web development" highlighted.

Step 3: Creating Your First ASP.NET Core Project

After launching Visual Studio, let's create a simple ASP.NET Core Web Application.

How to:

1. Open Visual Studio: If it's not already open, launch the application from your Start menu or applications list.
2. Create a new project: Click on "Create a new project" from the start window or go to File > New > Project from the menu bar.
3. Select project template: In the Create a new project window, search for "ASP.NET Core Web App" in the search bar. Select the "ASP.NET Core Web App (Model-View-Controller)" template and click "Next".
   • Note: There are several templates for different types of ASP.NET Core applications, but MVC is one of the most common.
4. Configure your project: Enter a name for your project (e.g., MyFirstMvcApp) and choose a location to save it.
5. Framework Selection: Click "Next" to proceed to the additional information window. Here, select a .NET framework (e.g., .NET 6.0) from the dropdown menu.
6. Create: Click "Create" to generate your project.

Example:

Image shows the search bar for finding project templates, with "ASP.NET Core Web App (Model-View-Controller)" highlighted.

Step 4: Running Your First ASP.NET Core MVC Project

Your project is now created and ready to run. Let's start it.

How to:

1. Build the project: Click on "Build Solution" from the top menu bar (Build > Build Solution). This ensures that there are no errors in your setup.
2. Run the project: Click on the green play button at the top toolbar or press F5 to run your project.

Example:

Image shows the Visual Studio toolbar with the "Build" button and the "Start" button highlighted.

Step 5: Confirming Successful Installation

When you run the project, a browser window should pop up displaying the default page of your new ASP.NET Core MVC application.

Expected Output:

You should see a webpage saying "Hello, World!" along with a link to "Privacy" and navigation elements indicating the default structure of the MVC project.

Example:

Image shows the default homepage of an ASP.NET Core MVC application.

Additional Tips

• Update Visual Studio: Make sure to keep your Visual Studio installation up-to-date with the latest updates and patches. Go to Help > Check for Updates in the application menu.
• Extensions: Explore the Visual Studio Extensions Marketplace to find tools and extensions that simplify development.
• Documentation: Utilize Microsoft documentation and other online resources to deepen your understanding of ASP.NET Core.