How to install Visual Studio Code on Windows 10

Whether you're a regular user or professional programmer, you need Visual Studio Code as part of your tool set to edit code on Windows 10, and here's how to get it.

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@Pureinfotech
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Install Visual Studio Code on Windows 10
Install Visual Studio Code on Windows 10

Visual Studio Code is a popular lightweight and convenient code editor that you can download and install for free on Windows 10, but it’s also available on Linux and macOS.

Out of the box, the app ships with support for Node.js, JavaScript, TypeScript, and support can be extended to many other languages, including PHP, Python, Go, Java, C#, and C++. In addition, you can also install extensions for runtimes, such as Unity and .NET.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to download and install Visual Studio (VS) Code on Windows 10.

How to install Visual Studio Code on Windows 10

To download and install Visual Studio Code, use these steps:

  1. Open Visual Studio Code page.

  2. Click the Windows button.

    Download Visual Studio Code on Windows 10
    Download Visual Studio Code on Windows 10

  3. Save the file on your device.

  4. Double-click the file to launch the Visual Studio Code installation on Windows 10.

  5. Confirm the agreement terms.

  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Use the default installation location and click the Next button.

  8. Use the default Start menu settings and click the Next button.

  9. (Optional) Check the Add “Open with code” action to Windows Explorer file context menu option.

  10. (Optional) Check the Add “Open with code” action to Windows Explorer directory context menu option.

    Visual Studio Code install options
    Visual Studio Code install options

  11. Check the Register Code as an editor for supported file types option.

  12. Check the Add to PATH option.

  13. Click the Install button.

  14. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, you can start using VSCode on your Windows 10 machine to review or create code.

If you’re brand-new to the code editor, in the welcome screen, under the “Learn” section, click the Interface overview to see a visual overlay to understand and navigate the experience.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.