How to Add Microsoft Developer Tools in VS Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is already powerful, but when you add Microsoft Developer Tools, it becomes a complete development machine. Whether you are building web apps, APIs, or cloud projects, Microsoft’s official tools make coding faster, cleaner, and smarter.

In this article, I’ll show you how to add Microsoft developer tools in VS Code, why they matter, and how to use them properly.

What Are Microsoft Developer Tools in VS Code

Microsoft Developer Tools are official extensions created by Microsoft to improve development inside VS Code. These tools help with:

JavaScript & TypeScript development
.NET and C# programming
Azure cloud integration
GitHub and DevOps workflows
Debugging and performance

They are safe, reliable, and regularly updated.

Why You Should Use Microsoft Tools in VS Code

As a developer, time matters. Microsoft tools save hours by offering:

Better IntelliSense and auto-completion
Faster debugging
Clean project structure
Built-in GitHub support
Cloud deployment from VS Code

If you’re serious about development, these tools are a must.

Step 1: Open VS Code Extension Marketplace

Open Visual Studio Code
Click on the Extensions icon on the left sidebar
(or press Ctrl + Shift + X)
This opens the Extension Marketplace

Step 2: Search for Microsoft Developer Tools

In the search bar, type Microsoft or the specific tool name.

Popular Microsoft extensions include:

C# (by Microsoft) – for .NET and C# development
Azure Tools – manage Azure services
Azure Functions – serverless development
GitHub Copilot – AI code suggestions
TypeScript and JavaScript Language Features
PowerShell – scripting and automation

All official tools show Microsoft as the publisher.

Step 3: Install the Extension

Click on the extension
Press the Install button
Wait for installation to complete
Restart VS Code if asked

That’s it — the tool is now active.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

After installation:

Open Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P)
Search for the tool command
Check if new options appear
Try auto-suggestions or debugging

If it responds, the tool is working correctly.

Recommended Microsoft Tools for Developers

For Web Developers

JavaScript & TypeScript Language Support
GitHub Copilot
Azure App Service

For Backend Developers

C# Extension
.NET SDK
Azure Functions

For Cloud & DevOps

Azure CLI Tools
GitHub Actions
Azure Resource Manager

Common Issues and Fixes

Extension not working

Restart VS Code
Update VS Code to latest version
Check conflicting extensions

Performance slow

Disable unused extensions
Use only required Microsoft tools

Finally

Adding Microsoft developer tools in VS Code is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a developer. These tools are built by the same company that created VS Code, so they integrate perfectly and improve productivity instantly.

If you want clean code, faster development, and professional workflows — Microsoft tools are non-negotiable.

“Happy Coding”