How To: Download the package that includes the Microsoft Visual Studio Shell 12.0 libraries

Summary

In ArcObjects, creating an add-in with Microsoft Visual Studio requires running the ValidateAddInXMLTask. This task requires Visual Studio Shell 12.0 to run with the necessary packages installed and without interruption, otherwise errors may be returned.

Procedure

Because the Microsoft Visual Studio Shell 12.0 library is a part of Visual Studio 2013 Shell (an older version of the software), the download link is not located on the main Visual Studio Downloads page. The following steps describe how to locate and download Visual Studio 2013 Shell.

1. In a web browser, navigate to the web page, Microsoft: Visual Studio Downloads.
2. Click the link to join the free Dev Essentials program.
   
   
    
3. Click Join or access now.
   
   
    
4. Sign in or Create a new account.

   Note:
   Registration for new accounts is free.

    
5. Click Downloads.
   
   
    
6. Search for Visual Studio 2013 Shell, and download the desired file.
   
   
    
7. Rename the download file to the original filename so that the installer runs without compatibility issues. The original filename can be found by right-clicking the installer file > Details.
   
   

Related Information

• ArcGIS Desktop: ArcObjects SDK 10.6 system requirements
• Error: The ValidateAddInXMLTask task failed unexpectedly