Force-removes shared components and registry keys.
Before executing any deep-cleaning software, secure your local work.
If you are trying to install an update (UPD) and it is failing, or you need to reinstall the software, follow these steps to clean the system.
If you're having trouble with the download, I can suggest alternative solutions for cleaning your system, such as using the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (though this is no longer supported by Microsoft). microsoft visual studio 2012 pre clean tool download upd
Elias closed his 47 open tabs and took a deep breath. He ran the tool.
To help find the right links or troubleshoot specific installation hurdles, tell me:
A PowerShell script hosted on (search: VS2012PreClean.ps1 ) is the de facto standard. It stops all VS services, purges the cache, and resets the update metadata. Force-removes shared components and registry keys
It can move the Package Cache directory off your primary drive (e.g., SSD) to a secondary, larger drive, creating directory junctions so updates still work.
: The most stable version is Update 4 , which functions as the service pack for Visual Studio 2012.
Residual lock files from failed setups can block the preparation routines of a new installation attempt. You can clear these out using native Windows tools: If you're having trouble with the download, I
Standard cleaning operations may not delete all intermediate directories. For complete removal, combine the built-in clean with a custom script that recursively deletes bin , obj , packages , and other build output directories. Alternatively, use the MSBuild Clean target with verbosity set to high to see exactly what is being processed.
The official links to many specific utility hotfixes have been retired or redirected. The methods below are for legacy system maintenance.