Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 is no longer available through standard public download pages as it reached its end of support on January 10, 2023 Microsoft Dev Blogs
To download Visual Studio 2012 securely from Microsoft, you must use a subscription-based portal: Visual Studio Subscriptions : Log in to My.VisualStudio.com
to access older versions. This requires either a paid Visual Studio Subscription or a free Visual Studio Dev Essentials membership. Version Note : Microsoft recommends using
, as it serves as the final service pack for this version and is the only version that was officially supported at the end of its lifecycle. Visual Studio Available Components & Updates
While the full IDE is restricted, some standalone components and patches are still accessible via the Microsoft Download Center Visual C++ Redistributable 2012
: Necessary for running applications built with VS 2012 on computers that don't have the IDE installed. Available at Microsoft Download Center Team Foundation Server Express 2012
: A lightweight version of TFS for small teams, available at Microsoft Download Center Compatibility Patches : Critical updates like
, which fixes issues opening C++ or JavaScript files after updating to .NET 4.5. Recommended Upgrade visual studio 2012 download microsoft
Because VS 2012 is out of support, it no longer receives security updates. For modern development, Microsoft suggests downloading the latest Visual Studio Community
, which is a free, full-featured IDE for individual developers and small teams. Microsoft Dev Blogs , or do you need a specific Express edition for a tutorial?
Visual Studio Older Downloads - 2019, 2017, 2015 - Microsoft 01-Apr-2026 —
Official support for Visual Studio 2012 ended on January 10, 2023. Because it is no longer a current product, Microsoft has removed direct public download links from its main landing pages, recommending instead that users upgrade to Visual Studio 2022.
However, you can still download the 2012 version through specific official channels if it is required for your project:
Visual Studio Subscriptions: The primary official source is My.VisualStudio.com. Accessing downloads here requires either a paid Visual Studio Subscription (formerly MSDN) or a free Dev Essentials membership.
Older Downloads Archive: Microsoft maintains a dedicated Older Downloads page where you can sign in to retrieve versions ranging from 2012 back to 2005. Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 is no longer available
Essential Runtimes: If you only need components to run older apps rather than the full development environment, the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 remains available on the Microsoft Download Center. Key Considerations for VS 2012
Security Risks: Since January 2023, VS 2012 no longer receives security updates or technical content fixes.
Compatibility: While it can run on Windows 10, you may encounter stability or compatibility issues as modern OS components are updated.
Update 4/5: For the best remaining experience, ensure you are using Update 4 (the designated Service Pack) or Update 5. Support ends for older versions of Visual Studio
Visual Studio 2012 is no longer available as a direct public download from the main Microsoft website . To download it officially today, you must use the Visual Studio Subscriptions Portal
, which requires either a paid Visual Studio Subscription or a free Dev Essentials membership. How to Access the Download Join Dev Essentials : If you do not have a paid subscription, join the free Microsoft Dev Essentials : Navigate to the Downloads page and sign in with your Microsoft account. : Use the search bar to find "Visual Studio 2012". Select Edition
: Choose from available editions such as Professional, Ultimate, or Express. Editions Available Windows Store app templates (C++, C#, VB, JavaScript)
: The most comprehensive version, including advanced architecture and testing tools. Professional : The standard choice for professional developers. Express for Windows Desktop
: A free, lightweight version supporting C++, C#, and Visual Basic for desktop apps. Express for Web : Specifically designed for creating web applications. System Requirements
Before installing, ensure your machine meets the following minimum specifications:
Visual Studio Older Downloads - 2019, 2017, 2015 - Microsoft
Downloading and Installing Visual Studio 2012 from Microsoft
Visual Studio 2012 is a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) that offers a wide range of tools and features to help developers create, debug, and deploy software applications. Although newer versions of Visual Studio have been released since 2012, VS 2012 remains a popular choice among developers, especially those working on legacy projects or requiring specific features available in this version. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to download and install Visual Studio 2012 directly from Microsoft.
Understanding why one cannot simply "download and use" VS 2012 for modern work requires looking at Microsoft’s Lifecycle policy.
As of January 2023, Visual Studio 2012 is officially End-of-Life (EOL).