The Complete Guide to Installing VS Code
Unleash your coding potential with Visual Studio Code, the cutting-edge, feature-rich code editor that has taken the development world by storm. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Visual Studio Code on your preferred operating system, be it Windows, macOS, or Linux. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your coding journey, Visual Studio Code’s intuitive interface, vast array of extensions, and powerful editing capabilities will undoubtedly boost your productivity and transform the way you code.
macOS
Installing Visual Studio Code on macOS is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to get started with the installation:
Download the installer:
Open your web browser and visit the official Visual Studio Code website at https://code.visualstudio.com/. The site should detect your operating system and provide a link to download the universal installer for macOS. Click on the “Download for macOS” button to download the latest version of Visual Studio Code for macOS.
If the site doesn’t automatically detect your operating system select the download link for either Intel or Apple Silicon under the Mac category. If you are unsure which chipset you have you can use this guide from Apple.
Open the Installer:
Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded DMG (disk image) file in your Downloads folder or the specified download location. Double-click on the DMG file to open it. A new window will appear, showing the Visual Studio Code application alongside a shortcut to the Applications folder.
Install Visual Studio Code:
To install Visual Studio Code, simply drag and drop the Visual Studio Code icon onto the “Applications” shortcut in the opened window. This will copy the application to your Applications folder.
Launch Visual Studio Code:
After the installation is complete, you can either open Visual Studio Code directly from the installer window or go to your Applications folder and double-click on the “Visual Studio Code” application icon to launch it.
Optional: Add to Dock
The first time you launch Visual Studio Code, you may see a prompt asking if you want to add the application to the Dock for easy access. You can choose “Add to Dock” or “Don’t Add” based on your preference.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Visual Studio Code on your macOS. Now, you can start coding and take advantage of its powerful features and extensions to enhance your development workflow. Happy coding!
Windows
Installing Visual Studio Code on Windows is a quick and easy process. Follow these steps to get started:
Download Visual Studio Code:
Open your web browser and visit the official Visual Studio Code website at https://code.visualstudio.com/. Click on the “Download for Windows” button to download the latest version of Visual Studio Code for Windows.
Run the Installer:
Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded executable file, usually named something like “VSCodeSetup.exe,” in your Downloads folder or the specified download location. Double-click on the file to run the installer.
User Account Control (UAC) Prompt (Optional):
Depending on your Windows settings, you may encounter a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking for permission to make changes to your system. If prompted, click “Yes” to proceed with the installation.
Select Destination Folder (Optional):
The installer may ask you to choose a destination folder for installing Visual Studio Code. By default, it will install in the “Program Files” folder, which is usually the recommended option. Click “Next” to continue.
Select Additional Tasks (Optional):
The installer may offer additional tasks like creating desktop shortcuts or adding context menu entries for easy access. Customize these options based on your preferences and click “Next.”
Start the Installation:
Click the “Install” button to begin the installation process. Visual Studio Code will now be installed on your Windows computer.
Completing the Installation:
Once the installation is complete, you will see a “Completing the Visual Studio Code Setup Wizard” screen. Make sure the “Run Visual Studio Code” checkbox is checked, and then click “Finish” to launch Visual Studio Code.
Optional: Add to Start Menu:
After the installation, you can find Visual Studio Code in your Start Menu under the “Visual Studio Code” folder. You can drag and drop it to the Start Menu or the taskbar for quick access.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Visual Studio Code on your Windows computer. Now you can dive into coding and take advantage of its powerful features, extensions, and integrations to supercharge your development experience. Happy coding!
Linux
Installing Visual Studio Code on Linux is a breeze, and you can do it using various methods depending on your Linux distribution. Here’s a general guide to get you started:
Download Visual Studio Code:
Open your web browser and go to the official Visual Studio Code website at https://code.visualstudio.com/. Click on the “Download for Linux” button. On the next page, choose the appropriate package for your Linux distribution. For example, for Ubuntu, you’ll find a .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems, and for Fedora, you’ll find a .rpm package for Red Hat/Fedora-based systems. Download the package that matches your Linux distribution.
Install Using Package Manager (Recommended):
For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems, open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the .deb package. Use the following command to install Visual Studio Code:
For Red Hat/Fedora-based systems, open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the .rpm package. Use the following command to install Visual Studio Code:
Install Using Snap (if supported):
Some Linux distributions support Snap packages. If Snap is available on your system, you can install Visual Studio Code using the Snap Store. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
Install Using AUR (for Arch Linux):
If you’re using Arch Linux or an Arch-based distribution, you can install Visual Studio Code from the AUR (Arch User Repository) using an AUR helper like yay or yay-git. Run the following command in your terminal:
Start Visual Studio Code:
After installation, you can launch Visual Studio Code from the application menu or by typing “code” in the terminal.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Visual Studio Code on your Linux distribution. Now you can enjoy a feature-rich code editor with a wide range of extensions and tailor your coding environment to suit your needs. To create a coding powerhouse check out our story here on customizing VS Code. When you’re done come say hi on Twitter @OrdinaryInds. Happy coding!
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