If you’re just getting started with coding or web development, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the best code editors you can use. Lightweight, fast, and fully customizable, it supports many programming languages through extensions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the complete process of installing Visual Studio Code on a Windows PC, along with a few essential extensions to get started quickly with web development, C++, or Python.
Step-by-Step Installation of Visual Studio Code on Windows
1. Downloading VS Code
- Open your preferred browser (e.g., Firefox, Chrome).
- Go to https://code.visualstudio.com/
- Click the Download for Windows button on the homepage.
- The download should begin automatically. Wait until the
.exefile is downloaded.
2. Installing VS Code
Once the download is complete:
- Open your Downloads folder.
- Double-click the downloaded
.exefile to begin installation. - In the setup wizard:
- Accept the license agreement.
- Choose the destination folder (you can change this to a different drive, such as your dedicated development drive).
- Click Next through the prompts.
- Check Create a desktop icon if you want quick access.
- Click Install to begin the installation process.
After installation, you can choose to launch VS Code immediately by checking the Launch Visual Studio Code option before clicking Finish.
Getting Started With Visual Studio Code
When you open VS Code for the first time, you’ll be greeted with a welcome interface. You can choose to disable the welcome screen from showing again by unchecking the relevant option.
Let’s walk through some basic customizations and must-have extensions.
Customizing Font Size
- Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the lower-left corner and go to Settings.
- In the search bar at the top, type Font.
- Look for the Font Size field and set it to your preference (e.g., 21).
- Press Enter to apply changes.
Essential Extensions for Developers
To supercharge your development experience, you’ll want to install some extensions from the Extensions Marketplace (click the square icon on the sidebar or press Ctrl+Shift+X).
1. Live Server
- Useful for web developers.
- Launch a development local server with live reload feature.
- 🔗 Live Server on Visual Studio Marketplace
2. Live Preview
- Provides an in-editor real-time preview of your web projects.
- Ideal for web developers who want to preview changes without switching windows.
- 🔗 Live Preview on Visual Studio Marketplace
3. C/C++ Extension
- Necessary if you are working with C or C++ programming.
- Offers IntelliSense, debugging, and code browsing.
- 🔗 C/C++ by Microsoft
4. Code Runner
- Allows you to run code snippets or files from various languages including C, C++, Java, Python, PHP, etc.
- 🔗 Code Runner on Visual Studio Marketplace
5. Python Extension
- Required for Python development.
- Adds support for IntelliSense, linting, debugging, and more.
- 🔗 Python Extension by Microsoft
Final Setup and Working With Projects
Once your extensions are installed:
- You can add a project folder by going to File > Add Folder to Workspace.
- Start writing your code and use the installed extensions to enhance your workflow.
VS Code will now serve as your powerful and flexible coding environment tailored to your development needs.
Conclusion
Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular and versatile editors out there, whether you’re working with web development, Python, or C++. With a few simple steps, you can set it up and start building amazing projects right away.
Be sure to explore more extensions as you grow in your development journey. These tools are designed to make coding easier, faster, and more efficient.
Tags
Visual Studio Code, VS Code Setup, How to install VS Code, VS Code extensions, Web Development, Python in VS Code, C++ in VS Code, Code Runner, Live Server, Live Preview
Hashtags
#VisualStudioCode #VSCodeSetup #WebDevelopment #PythonDevelopment #Cplusplus #CodeRunner #LiveServer #CodingForBeginners
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. Software installation processes may vary slightly depending on your Windows version. Always download software from the official website to avoid security risks.
