Visual Studio Code is Microsoft’s free code editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. On Windows 11, the safest installation method is to download it from the official Visual Studio Code website or use a trusted package source such as WinGet.
Install VS Code from the official website
- Open your browser and go to the official Visual Studio Code download page.
- Choose the Windows installer that matches your computer. Most Windows 11 PCs use the 64-bit x64 build, while some newer devices use Arm64.
- Open the downloaded installer and review the license agreement.
- Choose the installation location and optional tasks. Adding VS Code to PATH and the File Explorer context menu can be useful for development work.
- Complete the installation and launch Visual Studio Code.
Set up the editor for your work
VS Code is an editor rather than a complete programming environment for every language. Python, C/C++, Java, .NET, and other workflows may require a language runtime, compiler, SDK, and an extension. Install extensions from publishers you trust and read their requested capabilities before adding them.
Open the Extensions view with Ctrl+Shift+X and search for the extension recommended by the language or framework’s official documentation. Avoid installing several similarly named extensions just because they appear near the top of search results.
Keep VS Code secure and current
Allow VS Code to update normally, and treat project folders from unknown sources cautiously. Workspace settings, tasks, extensions, and project files can cause tools or code to run on your computer. VS Code’s Workspace Trust features can help when you open unfamiliar source code.
If installation is blocked on a work or school PC, contact the administrator rather than bypassing management controls.
Next, install Git on Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.