Connect any version of Visual Studio to Azure DevOps or Azure DevOps Server

Visual Studio has been around for a long time and there are still people developing in Visual Basic 6 or Visual Studio 2008. Even if you're using a more recent IDE, you could need one or more hotfixes and/or service packs.

Connect any version of Visual Studio to Azure DevOps or Azure DevOps Server
Azure DevOps. Formerly Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS), Visual Studio Online (VSO) and Team Foundation Service. Azure DevOps Server. Formerly Team Foundation Server.

Visual Studio has been around for a long time and there are still people developing in Visual Basic 6 or Visual Studio 2008. I sincerely hope these people store their sources securely, because these old IDEs and codebases will be causing them enough headaches. Even if you're using a more recent IDE, you could need one or more hotfixes and/or service packs.

To connect your IDE to Azure DevOps you usually need to make sure you have Team Explorer or an extension to your IDE installed. Team Explorer ships with Visual Studio in recent versions, but in older versions it was a separate installation.

The following variables make up what you need to install in order to be able to connect:

  • Your IDE and version
  • Your operating system and version
  • Whether connecting to Azure DevOps or TFS (and which version)

Note that for many of the items listed below, the order of installation is important. If you've previously installed any of the packages you'll need to uninstall them first or repair all packages in the order listed.

Microsoft has an official Client Compatiblity matrix. In addition to it, this post also lists the required hotfixes to make everything work.

If you also want to install the Team Foundation Server Power tools to match your Visual Studio/TFS version, check out this separate post.

Client compatibility matrix

Visual Studio 2019

Supported operating system: Windows 10 1703+, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2018 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2017 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2015 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2019
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Visual Studio Code

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Linux, Mac

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2018 yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2017 yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2015 yes yes no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2013 yes no no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2012 yes no no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2010 yes no no* Azure Repos extension
Team Explorer 2017 or Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

*) VsCode Azure Repos extension is now deprecated. Use full-visual studio for TFVC.

Visual Studio 2017

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2018 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2017 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2015 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2017
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Visual Studio 2019 and 2017 for Mac

Supported operating system: Mac

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2018 yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2017 yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2015 yes yes yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2013 no no yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2012 no no yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2010 no no yes* Team Foundation Version Control for TFS and VSTS
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Jetbrains / IntelliJ

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Linux, Mac

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2018 yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2017 yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2015 yes yes yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2013 yes no yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2012 yes no yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2010 yes no yes* Visual Studio IntelliJ Plugin
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Eclipse

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Linux, Mac

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
TFS 2018 yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
TFS 2017 yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
TFS 2015 yes yes* yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
egit
TFS 2013 yes no yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2012 yes no yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2010 yes no yes* Team Explorer Everywhere
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Windows Explorer

Supported operating system: Windows 10, 8.1, 7 SP1

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
TFS 2018 yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
TFS 2017 yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
TFS 2015 yes yes yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
Git for Windows
TFS 2013 yes no yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
TFS 2010 yes no yes Microsoft Team Foundation Version Control Windows Shell Extension
TFS 2008 yes no yes Team Explorer 2008
Visual Studio 2008 Power Tools
TFS 2005 yes no yes Team Explorer 2005
Visual Studio 2005 Power Tools

Visual Studio 2015

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2018 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2017 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2015 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2015
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Visual Studio 2013

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2018 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2017 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2015 yes yes yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2013
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Visual Studio 2012

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps yes* yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes* yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes* yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
TFS 2018 yes yes* yes Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
TFS 2017 yes yes* yes Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
TFS 2015 yes yes* yes Team Explorer 2012
Visual Studio Tools for Git
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2012
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2012
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2012
TFS 2008 no no no
TFS 2005 no no no

Visual Studio 2010

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Install instructions
Azure DevOps no yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2010
Azure DevOps Server 2020 no yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2010
Azure DevOps Server 2019 no yes
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2018 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2017 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2015 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2013 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2008 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010
TFS 2005 yes no yes Team Explorer 2010

Visual Studio 2008

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Additional requiremenrs
Azure DevOps no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
Azure DevOps Server 2020 no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
Azure DevOps Server 2019 no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2018 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2017 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2015 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2013 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2013
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2012 yes no yes Team Explorer 2008
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2008
TFS 2008 yes no yes Team Explorer 2008
TFS 2005 yes no yes Team Explorer 2008

Visual Studio 2005

Supported operating system: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Additional requiremenrs
Azure DevOps no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
Azure DevOps Server 2020 no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
Azure DevOps Server 2019 no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 yes IE11
Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2018 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2017 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2015 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2013 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2012 yes no yes*
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista yes Team Explorer 2012
+ MSSCCI
- Windows XP yes Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2010 yes no yes Team Explorer 2005
TFS 2008 yes no yes Team Explorer 2005
TFS 2005 yes no yes Team Explorer 2005

Visual Studio 2003, .NET, 6

Supported operating system: Windows XP

Connects Git TFVC Additional requiremenrs
Azure DevOps no no no
Azure DevOps Server 2020 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
Azure DevOps Server 2019 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2018 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2017 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2015 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2013 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2012 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2010 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2008 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI
TFS 2005 yes no yes* Team Explorer 2010
+ MSSCCI

Installation

Code

*) Azure Repos extension is now deprecated. You will need to use Team Exploror in Visual Studio for TFVC.

Visual Studio for Mac

Eclipse

JetBrains / IntelliJ

Team Explorer 2019

Windows Explorer

Team Explorer 2017

Team Explorer 2015

Team Explorer 2013

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Team Explorer 2012 + Visual Studio Tools for Git

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Team Explorer 2010

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Team Explorer 2013 + MSSCCI 2013

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Do not use the Team Explorer tab or the Team sub menu to connect to TFS, instead use File, Source Control.
  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2012 + MSSCCI 2012

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Do not use the Team Explorer tab or the Team sub menu to connect to TFS, instead use File, Source Control.
  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2010 + MSSCCI 2010

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Do not use the Team Explorer tab or the Team sub menu to connect to TFS, instead use File, Source Control.
  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2008

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2005

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2008 + MSSCCI

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Do not use the Team Explorer tab or the Team sub menu to connect to TFS, instead use File, Source Control.
  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Team Explorer 2005 + MSSCCI 2005

Install (or repair) in the following order:

Notes:

  • Do not use the Team Explorer tab or the Team sub menu to connect to TFS, instead use File, Source Control.
  • Connect using the http://server:port/tfs/ProjectCollection url format for Team Foundation Server.
  • Connect using the https://[account].visualstudio.com/ or https://dev.azure.com/[account]/ url format for Azure DevOps.

Visual Studio Power Tools 2008

How to install TFS Powertools Side-by-side.

Visual Studio Power Tools 2005

Install (or repair) in the following order:

How to install TFS Powertools Side-by-side.

Configuration

Configuring the MSSCCI provider for Visual Studio

To use the MSSCCI provider in Visual Studio you must make sure you have the correct
Source Control provider selected. In your version of Visual Studio go to Tools,
Options, Source Control and select the MSSCCI provider:

Select the Team Foundation Server MSSCCI Provider

Then go to File, Source Control to open a project from source control.

You won't be able to trigger builds or access work items using the version of Visual
Studio you are now using. Instead you must start Team Explorer 2010 or higher to
interact with these features from Visual Studio.

When you use Visual Studio 2012 or higher to configure your Version Control mappings, you need to make sure you select a "Server Workspace".

Change workspace location to Server.

Picture used under Creative Commons. Thanks to XKCD.