Arduino IDE for Visual Studio 2022+

Develop the same Arduino code in Visual Studio as in the Arduino IDE

Build, upload, and debug Arduino projects in Visual Studio 2022 or Visual Studio 2026. Visual Micro provides an Arduino-compatible build and upload system and follows Arduino project, board, library, and toolchain conventions. Your sketch code remains compatible with the Arduino IDE.

Free 45-day trial. No registration required.

Using Visual Studio 2017, Visual Studio 2019, or Atmel/Microchip Studio 7? See the separate legacy extension.

AI assistance and GitHub Copilot

Visual Micro can provide current, redacted context about your active Arduino project. Preview and copy that context for use with any AI assistant, or connect GitHub Copilot Agent mode in Visual Studio to Visual Micro's read-only, board-aware tools for project, build, upload, library, and debugger questions.

Learn how to use Visual Micro AI Assistance and GitHub Copilot.

Visual Micro does not automatically transmit your local project context. You review what is copied, and the Copilot integration exposes read-only tools.

Highlights

• Arduino-compatible build and upload system
• Arduino-compatible sketch code, libraries, board packages, and configuration
• IntelliSense tailored to the selected project, board, platform, and library sources
• Software debugging over USB or Wi-Fi, from boards such as Uno and Mega through to ESP32
• Preconfigured and customizable GDB hardware debugging
• Multiple simultaneous Serial Monitors
• Project templates and code snippets
• Per-project or per-configuration board, board-option, port, and debug settings
• Advanced library management and versioned in-project library capture
• Portable Arduino solutions for repeatable projects and version control
• Read-only, board-aware Visual Micro tools for GitHub Copilot Agent mode

Selected capabilities and improvements

Visual Studio 2026 support

Visual Micro supports Visual Studio 2026 as well as Visual Studio 2022.

Portable Arduino Solution Wizard

Create a portable Arduino solution containing its libraries and board packages. This makes one or more projects easier to version, distribute, and reproduce without changing existing Arduino or Visual Micro installations. Read the Portable Arduino Solution guide.

Faster builds

Improved library-header discovery reduces unnecessary compiler work while preserving Arduino-compatible build behavior. The improvement is especially useful with slower toolchains such as ESP32.

Debugging

Visual Micro's software debugger supports USB and Wi-Fi and includes:

• Hundreds of breakpoints and tracepoints
• Conditional breakpoints and tracepoints with hit counts
• Automatic performance logging
• Step, break, and trace workflows
• Custom @Plot charting
• Automatic digital and analog pin reports

For hardware debugging, Visual Micro offers preconfigured debugger support, customizable GDB hardware debugging, and GDBStub debugging. Debug options are saved for each board and project configuration.

Projects, libraries, and productivity

• Use maintained project templates and code snippets.
• Save board, board-option, and port settings by project or configuration.
• Use automatic toolbar visibility for a cleaner Visual Studio workspace.
• Open multiple Serial Monitors at the same time.
• Store libraries in additional folders and use versioned in-project library capture per project or solution.
• Integrate automated tests for cross-platform code on your PC.

Why Visual Micro installs Microsoft Linux/GCC IntelliSense tools

Visual Micro uses Microsoft's GCC IntelliSense components to feed the parser with accurate information from its Arduino-compatible build system. This provides IntelliSense tailored to the actual project, platform, and library sources. The Microsoft Linux/GCC components are not used to replace Visual Micro's Arduino build and upload system.

Licence and support

Perpetual and annual licences are available and include forum support and updates. Existing customers using earlier IDE versions should see the Visual Micro website for current upgrade offers and pricing.

• Visual Micro website
• Documentation
• Support forum
• Release notes
• All releases
• Hardware debug troubleshooter

Installation guide

Common questions

The VSIX does not install

If opening the downloaded .vsix file does not start the correct installer, right-click it, choose Open with, and select Visual Studio Version Selector. This can be necessary when several Visual Studio-family products are installed side by side.

Does Visual Micro slow Visual Studio startup?

Visual Micro normally loads at startup only when one of its toolbars is visible; otherwise, it loads when needed. The vMicro toolbar can remain visible without forcing startup loading. Use vMicro > Toolbar Auto Visibility to show relevant toolbars when an Arduino project is active.

How do I see every project source file?

Use Show All Files above Solution Explorer to switch between the physical folder view and the filtered project view. After changing files with Windows Explorer or another editor, advanced users can right-click files or folders to include or exclude them from the project.

For an Arduino project, source files beneath the project root and its src folder are normally included. vMicro > Show Hidden Files can also display shortcuts to core and library sources, making the underlying C and C++ code easier to inspect.

Quick project templates

GDB hardware debugging