Visual Studio Code is a free code editor from Microsoft that runs on Windows 11, Windows 10, and macOS. You can download it as a standard Windows installer, an ARM64 build for Snapdragon PCs, a ZIP package for portable use, or a Mac build for Intel and Apple silicon.
VS Code is free for personal and commercial use, and the standard download includes Git integration, debugging, extensions, an integrated terminal, and support for many programming languages. Microsoft releases frequent Stable updates, while the separate Insiders build receives new features earlier.
This guide covers the official Visual Studio Code download for Windows and Mac, x64 and ARM64 installers, User Setup versus System Setup, portable ZIP downloads, Mac Intel and Apple silicon versions, offline installation, previous releases, system requirements, and common setup problems.
Download Visual Studio Code for Windows 11 and Windows 10
Microsoft provides several VS Code packages for Windows 10 and Windows 11. For most people, the User Installer is the best choice because it installs without administrator permissions and handles updates more smoothly.
Official download: Download Visual Studio Code for Windows and Mac
| VS Code download | Available versions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows User Installer | x64, ARM64 | Most personal PCs |
| Windows System Installer | x64, ARM64 | Installing VS Code for all Windows users |
| Windows ZIP | x64, ARM64 | Portable or manual installation |
| Windows CLI | x64, ARM64 | Command-line workflows |
| Mac DMG | Intel, Apple silicon, Universal | Standard macOS installation |
Current VS Code releases support 64-bit Windows clients. Microsoft no longer actively supports the old 32-bit Windows build, so users on modern Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs should choose x64 or ARM64.
Download Visual Studio Code x64 for Windows 11/10
Choose the x64 version if your PC uses a standard Intel or AMD processor. This covers the vast majority of Windows desktops and laptops.
Microsoft offers three useful x64 packages:
- User Installer x64: Installs VS Code for your Windows account and does not normally require administrator rights.
- System Installer x64: Installs VS Code for every user on the computer and requires administrator access.
- ZIP x64: Contains the application files without a traditional setup wizard and supports Portable Mode.
To check which processor architecture your PC uses, open Settings > System > About and look at System type. If it says x64-based processor, download the x64 build.
Download Visual Studio Code ARM64 for Windows 11
Microsoft provides a native ARM64 version of Visual Studio Code for Windows on Arm computers, including many Snapdragon-powered Windows 11 laptops. Using the native ARM64 build avoids relying on x64 application emulation for the editor itself.
The official VS Code download page provides ARM64 versions of:
- User Installer
- System Installer
- ZIP archive
- VS Code CLI
Open Settings > System > About and check System type. Choose ARM64 when Windows reports an ARM-based processor.
Extensions can have their own architecture requirements. Most ordinary JavaScript-based extensions work normally, while extensions that include native binaries depend on whether their developers provide ARM-compatible components.
Visual Studio Code User Installer vs System Installer
The two Windows EXE installers contain the same editor. The difference is where VS Code installs and who can use that installation.
| Feature | User Installer | System Installer |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator rights required | No | Yes |
| Installed for | Current Windows user | All users |
| Default location | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Microsoft VS Code |
Program Files |
| Updates | Smoother background updating | Updates require elevation |
| Recommended for | Most users | Shared and managed PCs |
Microsoft recommends User Setup for most Windows installations. Choose System Setup when several Windows accounts on the same computer need access to one VS Code installation.
How to Install Visual Studio Code on Windows 11/10
- Download the appropriate VS Code User Installer from Microsoft.
- Open the downloaded VSCodeUserSetup-{version}.exe file.
- Accept the license agreement.
- Choose the installation location or keep the default folder.
- Select any additional setup options you want.
- Click Install.
- Open Visual Studio Code when setup finishes.
The normal installer adds VS Code to the Windows PATH. Restart any Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal window that was already open, then you can launch the editor from a folder with:
code .This command opens the current directory as a VS Code workspace.
Download Visual Studio Code Portable ZIP for Windows
Microsoft provides official ZIP packages for both x64 and ARM64 Windows PCs. The ZIP download does not use the normal setup wizard, making it useful when you want to keep VS Code in a custom folder or configure Portable Mode.
To run the ZIP version:
- Download the correct .zip package for x64 or ARM64.
- Extract the archive to a folder where you have write permission.
- Open the extracted folder.
- Run Code.exe.
Avoid extracting the portable copy into a protected Windows folder such as Program Files unless you understand the permissions involved.
Enable VS Code Portable Mode
VS Code Portable Mode keeps your settings, extensions, and other editor data alongside the application files. This makes the complete installation easier to move between folders or compatible computers.
- Extract the Windows ZIP version of VS Code.
- Open the extracted VS Code directory.
- Create a folder named data inside it.
- Start Code.exe.
When the data directory exists, VS Code stores its user data and extensions there instead of using the normal Windows profile locations.
Portable Mode is supported with the Windows ZIP version. Microsoft does not recommend attempting to turn a User Installer or System Installer installation into Portable Mode.
Visual Studio Code Offline Installer for Windows
The Windows User Installer, System Installer, and ZIP archive contain the VS Code application files, so you can download a package on one internet-connected computer, copy it to another compatible PC, and install or extract it there.
This makes the standard installer suitable for an offline VS Code installation. You do not need a separate package labelled “offline installer.”
An internet connection is still required later for online services such as:
- Downloading extensions from the Visual Studio Marketplace.
- Signing in and syncing settings.
- Using cloud-based AI features.
- Accessing remote repositories and online development services.
- Downloading language SDKs or runtimes that are not included with VS Code.
If the target PC will remain offline, download any required SDKs, language runtimes, extensions, compilers, and project dependencies separately before moving the files to it.
Download Visual Studio Code for Mac
VS Code supports modern macOS releases and is available as a DMG package. Microsoft offers separate downloads for Intel Macs, Apple silicon Macs, and a Universal build containing support for both processor architectures.
- Download Visual Studio Code for macOS from Microsoft.
- Open the downloaded .dmg file.
- Drag Visual Studio Code.app into the Applications folder.
- Open Applications.
- Double-click Visual Studio Code.
You can keep VS Code in the Dock by Control-clicking its Dock icon and selecting Options > Keep in Dock.
Download Visual Studio Code for Mac Apple Silicon
MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro models using Apple silicon can run the native macOS ARM64 build of VS Code.
Choose Apple silicon from the download page when your Mac has an Apple M-series processor. This includes M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and later Apple silicon generations.
You can check your Mac processor from Apple menu > About This Mac. If the Chip field lists an Apple M-series processor, choose the Apple silicon package.
Download Visual Studio Code for Intel Mac
Older Macs using Intel processors should use the Intel chip download. Microsoft also provides a Universal package when you want one application bundle that supports both Intel and Apple silicon hardware.
| Mac download | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| Apple silicon | Your Mac uses an Apple M-series processor |
| Intel chip | Your Mac uses an Intel processor |
| Universal | You want one package supporting both architectures |
For a single computer, the architecture-specific version is the straightforward choice. The Universal build is useful when the same application package needs to run across a mixture of Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
Install the VS Code Command Line Tool on Mac
After installing VS Code on macOS, you can add the code command to your PATH directly from the editor.
- Open Visual Studio Code.
- Press Command + Shift + P.
- Type shell command.
- Select Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH.
- Close and reopen Terminal.
You can then open the current directory in VS Code with:
code .You can also open an individual file by entering code filename.
Download the Latest Version of Visual Studio Code
The main VS Code download page serves the current Stable release. Microsoft now publishes Stable builds frequently, and installed copies can update automatically when a newer release becomes available.
You generally do not need to search for a version number before downloading. Use the main download page when you want the latest supported build.
To check the version already installed on Windows, open Help > About. On macOS, select Code > About Visual Studio Code.
Download Older Versions of Visual Studio Code
Microsoft keeps previous VS Code releases available for cases where an extension, development environment, or older operating system requires a specific editor version.
Previous releases should be used only when you have a compatibility reason to stay on them because older versions eventually stop receiving current fixes and security updates.
Microsoft identifies packages separately by:
- Version number
- Windows x64 or ARM64
- User or System installer
- ZIP archive
- macOS Intel, Apple silicon, or Universal
- Stable or Insiders release channel
Download Visual Studio Code Insiders
VS Code Insiders is Microsoft’s prerelease edition for developers who want access to upcoming features before they reach the Stable channel. Insiders receives updates much more frequently and can run alongside the normal Stable version.
Installing Insiders does not require removing standard VS Code. The two editions maintain separate application installations, which makes it practical to test upcoming features without replacing your main editor.
For normal development work, use Stable. Install Insiders when you specifically want prerelease functionality or need to test an upcoming VS Code change.
Visual Studio Code System Requirements
VS Code is relatively lightweight. Microsoft currently lists the download at under 200 MB and the installed application footprint at under 500 MB.
| Requirement | Microsoft recommendation |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1.6 GHz or faster |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Windows | Supported 64-bit Windows client |
| Mac | macOS version receiving Apple security updates |
| Architecture | x64 or ARM64 where offered |
Real development requirements depend more heavily on the tools you run alongside VS Code. Android emulators, Docker containers, large Java projects, local databases, language servers, browser development tools, and AI models can require significantly more memory and processing power than the editor itself.
Can You Download VS Code for Windows 7 or Windows 8?
Current Visual Studio Code releases do not support Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1.
Microsoft identifies VS Code 1.70.3 as the last release available for Windows 7 and VS Code 1.79 as the last version for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. These versions no longer receive current VS Code security fixes or feature updates.
Use Windows 10 or Windows 11 when you want the current Stable release.
Is There a 32-bit Visual Studio Code Download?
Microsoft stopped actively supporting 32-bit Windows builds after VS Code 1.83. Current Windows downloads target x64 and ARM64 systems.
Do not install an old 32-bit build on a modern 64-bit PC simply because the download still exists in an archive. The current x64 edition receives current updates and should be used on Intel and AMD 64-bit systems.
Visual Studio Code vs Visual Studio
Visual Studio Code and Microsoft Visual Studio are separate applications despite their similar names.
| Feature | Visual Studio Code | Visual Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Code editor | Full development environment |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | Yes | Current Visual Studio for Mac has been retired |
| Installation size | Relatively small | Much larger depending on workloads |
| Extensions | Visual Studio Marketplace | Visual Studio extension ecosystem |
| Typical use | Web, scripting, remote development, many languages | .NET, C++, Windows development and larger IDE workflows |
If you searched for “Visual Studio Code download,” install VS Code rather than the larger Visual Studio IDE unless your project specifically requires Visual Studio workloads.
Fix Visual Studio Code Not Installing on Windows
Download the installer again
Delete the existing setup file and download a fresh copy from Microsoft’s official VS Code website. An incomplete download can cause the installer to stop before setup begins.
Make sure you downloaded the correct architecture
Intel and AMD computers normally require x64, while Snapdragon and other ARM-based Windows PCs should use ARM64. Check Settings > System > About when you are unsure.
Try the User Installer
The User Installer does not require administrator permissions and installs inside your Windows profile, so it often works on PCs where you cannot install applications system-wide.
Use System Setup only when you need VS Code available to every Windows account and have administrator access.
Use the ZIP package
If the EXE installer is blocked or unavailable, download the official ZIP archive, extract it to a writable folder, and run Code.exe. This bypasses the conventional installation process.
VS Code installs but the code command does not work
Close Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal and reopen it. The VS Code installer modifies PATH, and existing terminal sessions do not automatically receive that change.
Then test:
code --versionIf Windows returns the installed VS Code version, the command-line launcher is working.
VS Code says the installation is unsupported
Microsoft says this warning can appear when application files have been modified. Reinstalling VS Code from an official installer replaces the affected program files.
If the warning returns immediately, review security applications, system-management software, or extensions that modify VS Code installation files.
Fix Visual Studio Code Not Opening
Restart the computer first, then launch VS Code again. If the editor still does not open, test it without extensions from Command Prompt or Terminal:
code --disable-extensionsIf VS Code opens normally with extensions disabled, an installed extension is the likely cause. Disable recently installed or updated extensions until you identify the one causing the problem.
You can also reinstall VS Code without deleting your projects. Your project folders are separate from the application installation.
How to Completely Uninstall Visual Studio Code
Removing the VS Code application does not automatically delete all settings, cached data, and extensions. For a completely fresh installation, uninstall VS Code and remove its user-data directories.
On Windows, the main user-data locations are:
%APPDATA%\Code
%USERPROFILE%\.vscodeOn macOS:
$HOME/Library/Application Support/Code
~/.vscodeDeleting these folders removes settings and installed extensions, so back up anything you want to keep before performing a clean uninstall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visual Studio Code free?
Yes. Microsoft provides Visual Studio Code free for private and commercial use.
What is the official Visual Studio Code download page?
The official download page is code.visualstudio.com/download.
Can I download Visual Studio Code on Windows 11?
Yes. Current VS Code releases support Windows 11. Choose x64 for normal Intel or AMD PCs and ARM64 for compatible Windows on Arm computers.
Can I download Visual Studio Code on Windows 10?
Yes. Current supported 64-bit Windows 10 installations can run VS Code.
Which VS Code should I download, x64 or ARM64?
Choose x64 for Intel and AMD processors. Choose ARM64 for an ARM-based Windows PC such as a compatible Snapdragon laptop.
Should I download VS Code User Installer or System Installer?
Use the User Installer for most personal computers. It installs without administrator permissions and provides easier updates. Use System Installer when VS Code needs to be available to every user on the machine.
Is there a Visual Studio Code offline installer?
The standard Windows installers can be downloaded and transferred to another PC for offline installation. Microsoft does not require a separately labelled offline installer for the editor itself.
Is there a portable version of Visual Studio Code?
Yes. Download the official Windows ZIP package and create a data folder beside the VS Code application files to enable Portable Mode.
Can I run VS Code from a USB drive?
The Windows ZIP package with Portable Mode can keep VS Code, settings, and extensions together, which makes it suitable for a writable USB drive. Performance depends on the speed of the drive.
Can I install VS Code without administrator rights?
Yes. The Windows User Installer is specifically designed to install inside the current user’s profile without requiring administrator permissions.
Does VS Code work on Mac M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5?
Yes. Download the Apple silicon build or the Universal Mac build. Both support compatible Apple silicon Macs.
Should I download the Universal or Apple silicon version on Mac?
Choose the Apple silicon build when the application will run only on an M-series Mac. Choose Universal when you want the same app bundle to support both Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
Does VS Code include Python?
No. VS Code can edit and debug Python with the appropriate extension, but you still need a Python interpreter installed on the computer.
Does VS Code include Java?
No. Install a compatible JDK separately when you want to compile and run Java programs, then add the appropriate Java extensions to VS Code.
Does VS Code include Git?
VS Code includes Git integration in its interface, but Git itself needs to be installed on the computer for local Git commands and source-control operations.
Can I install Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio together?
Yes. They are separate applications and can be installed on the same Windows PC without replacing each other.
What is VS Code Insiders?
VS Code Insiders is the prerelease channel. It receives upcoming features earlier and installs alongside the Stable version, making it useful for testing without replacing your normal VS Code installation.
How big is the Visual Studio Code download?
Microsoft lists VS Code as a download under 200 MB with an installed application footprint under 500 MB. The exact package size varies by operating system, architecture, and release.
