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Workload Options for Visual Studio

When developing Microsoft 365 agents (such as bots, add-ins, or automation tools), choosing the right Visual Studio workloads is essential for a smooth and productive experience. This guide will help you select the necessary workloads and components for your development environment.

  1. ASP.NET and Web Development
    • Essential for web APIs, bots, and web-based add-ins.
  2. Azure Development
    • Useful for deploying agents to Azure, using Azure Functions, or integrating with cloud services.

Workload options for Visual Studio

Optional Workloads​

  • Data Storage and Processing
    • For projects involving databases, Entity Framework, or data analytics.

Data Storage and Processing

Individual Components​

In addition to workloads, you may want to select these components:

  • .NET 8.0+ SDKs (or latest LTS)
  • Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit

How to Select Workloads​

  1. Launch the Visual Studio Installer.
  2. Choose "Modify" on your installed version.
  3. Select the workloads listed above.
  4. Click "Individual components" for finer control if needed.
  5. Apply changes and let the installer complete.

🎥 Detailed Video​

Tips​

  • Keep Visual Studio updated for the latest features and security.
  • Use Visual Studio Code for lightweight scenarios or cross-platform development.

Last updated: June 19, 2025