Developer & Creator Tools

Visual Studio Code official download and installation guide

Visual Studio Code is a general-purpose code editor with a large extension ecosystem and integrated terminal workflow.

Verifiedcode.visualstudio.com

Official source · checked 2026-05-13

Visual Studio Code official download

Use code.visualstudio.com/download or Microsoft-controlled package routes. AppVeriq Guide does not host VS Code installers; it documents official-domain checks plus extension marketplace, workspace trust, and business-use considerations.

Open official site

AppVeriq Guide does not store, modify, mirror, or redistribute installers. Confirm the official domain again in the new tab before downloading.

What is Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code is Microsoft's popular code editor for web, cloud, data, scripting, and extension-based development. This guide helps developers find the official VS Code download, avoid cloned editor installers, and review extension, telemetry, corporate policy, and workspace trust settings.

This AppVeriq Guide page does not distribute installers. It is an independent guide to the official download path, pre-installation checks, common use cases, and safer alternatives.

Pricing and delivery model

Free

Installation and use are primarily free, but you should still check account sync, ads, workplace policy, and data collection.

Installable app

This is installed on a desktop or mobile device. Check the source, update channel, and license scope before installing.

Workplace use: For workplace development, confirm Microsoft license terms, extension approval rules, telemetry policy, source-code handling, remote development permissions, marketplace restrictions, and whether insiders/pre-release builds are allowed.

Best fit and limits

Good fit

  • Code editing and builds
  • Git and repository workflows
  • Package management, databases, and CLI automation

Consider another option when

  • Copy-pasting install commands from unknown blogs
  • Installing extensions or package feeds without source review

Common uses

  • Edit code
  • Run CLIs
  • Manage repositories
  • Install packages
  • Debug apps

First setup checklist

  1. Use the official download, release, package manager, or documentation path.
  2. Verify the version and channel after install.
  3. Separate project environments and credentials.
  4. Review extension, plugin, and telemetry settings.

Before installing

  • Download from code.visualstudio.com or Microsoft-controlled package repositories, not third-party “IDE download” portals.
  • Choose the stable build for daily work; Insiders builds should be limited to testing.
  • Review extensions before installation because they can access source code, terminals, files, environment variables, and remote workspaces.
  • Enable and understand Workspace Trust when opening projects from unknown repositories.
  • Check company policy on telemetry, marketplace access, AI/code-assist extensions, and remote development.
  • Keep VS Code, extensions, language runtimes, and package managers updated together to reduce supply-chain risk.

Practical tips

  • Before clicking Download, confirm that the path starts from code.visualstudio.com or another vendor/project-controlled destination linked from it.
  • Developer tools often expand supply-chain risk through extensions and packages.
  • For AI tools, review code upload and retention policies before using work repositories.

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FAQ

Where should I download Visual Studio Code?

Use Microsoft's official code.visualstudio.com download page or Microsoft-controlled package repositories.

Is VS Code free for business use?

VS Code is free to download, but businesses should review Microsoft license terms, telemetry settings, and extension policies.

Are VS Code extensions safe?

Only install extensions from trusted publishers and review permissions, popularity, update history, and whether the extension can access code or terminals.

What is Workspace Trust?

Workspace Trust helps limit code execution and extension behavior for folders you have not marked as trusted. It is important when opening unknown repositories.

Should developers use VS Code Insiders?

Insiders builds are useful for testing new features but should not replace stable builds for most production workstations.

Does AppVeriq Guide host VS Code installers?

No. It documents the official Microsoft route and safety checks only.

Note: this is an independent guide, not the official Visual Studio Code site. Always complete downloads on the official domain or vendor-controlled path.