VSHistory -- Visual Studio File Histories

Ken Cross

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817 installs
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1,483 downloads
| (7) | Free
VSHistory maintains the history of files in your Visual Studio projects every time they are saved. Any saved version can be viewed or a diff with the current version can be displayed.

VSHistory

VSHistory for Visual Studio saves a copy of your files every time you save them. They are stored in a compressed .vshistory directory in each project and can be opened or differences with the current file can be viewed.

A custom VSHistory tool window displays each version of project files as they're saved. Each version can either be viewed in a VS window or a difference between that version and the current file can be displayed.

Current File History

The history of the current file (the document that currently has focus) can be displayed from the menu via

View | Other Windows | Visual Studio File Histories

It is recommended that you dock the window somewhere, such as

VSScreenShot3__1.png

You can see a diff of any version with the current file by clicking Diff for that version in the VSHistory tool window. Clicking Open will simply display that version of the file.

VSHistory Settings

VSHistory settings allow the user to select how many versions should be maintained:

  • Keep all versions

  • Keep "n" versions

  • Keep versions for "n" days

  • Keep versions for "n" months

    VSHistorySettings__fixed_description.png

Location of VS History Files

By default, VS History files are maintained in subdirectories below the source files. You can optionally select an alternate location for VS History files. This is especially useful when opening Visual Studio in Folder View.

VSHistoryLocation.png

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All VS History Files

A display of all VS History files is available in settings:

VSHistore_AllFiles2.png

Double-clicking a version will display a diff of that version with the current file.

Deleted Files

When a file is deleted, its file histories are kept. To view them, open All VS History Files. The files that were deleted will have (deleted) next to their name. Double-clicking a version will display that version.

User-defined Tags

You can add a tag to any history file by right-clicking on the timestamp in the "When Saved" column of the VSHistory toolbox.

The user-defined tags you've defined can be viewed in the "User-defined Tags" page of the VSHistory settings. You can also delete a tag on this page.

Revision History

  • 2.2.1 Fix problem displaying All VS History Files when in Folder View
  • 2.2.0 Added support for using an alternate directory for storing VS History files
  • 2.1.0 Added support for user-defined tags. Fixed a problem with VS extensions that was introduced with the release version of .NET Framework 4.8 which caused the toolbox and settings pages to appear blank. Added support to adjust colors to different themes, like Dark Theme.
  • 2.0.4 Added feature to view All History Files by date/time
  • 2.0.3 Fix a problem where settings weren't getting save/restored properly
  • 2.0.2 Initial release of VSHistory 2.0