An Arduino compatible (unless you want to break the rules) development environment with optional debugger/pro pack. Tested with all Arduino versions from 1.0 to 1.8.3 (also supports all compatible hardware such as ESP8266, Energia IDE).

This Extension requires Visual Studio C++ to be installed before Arduino projects can be created or opened.

The Visual Micro extension also provides optional (small fee) and unique software (serial, software serial, xbee, rf etc) debugger for boards such as the Arduino Uno and Mega.

note: GDB support has been moved to new Visual Studio version specific extensions. For GDB, please install this extension + the GDB extension specific to your VS IDE version.

Too many updates? Visual Micro is updated frequently. If the frequency of the updates annoy you then please switch off Automatic Update via "Tools>Extensions and Updates". With "auto updates" switched off, Visual Micro will, more politely notify you every few months when a major release is available.

Promise of continuity

When writing code with Visual Micro, if you adhere to the Arduino.cc rules then the code you create will remain Arduino IDE compatible. An added promise from us, is that there will always be a free Visual Micro facility that will compile the code created with Visual Micro. Happy Coding!

Free usage note

Users of the free visual micro software are prompted (nag screen) to "try or buy" once per day at the start of an Arduino build/compile. Free users must also upgrade to the latest Visual Micro release at least once every 6-9 months. Up to 14 days before the day that the software must be updated, a warning is displayed at the start of each build. The date the software must be updated by is shown in "tools>options>visual micro>version". Staying up to date helps us to support the product better.

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Upgrading from the older addin version of Visual Micro for 2012 and 2013? Please read the FAQ

Visual Micro ensures program code remains fully compatible with the Arduino Ide and supports all Arduino versions.

Visual Micro shares the same configuration as the Arduino Ide.