Updated: January 11, 2026 (January 11, 2026)

Visual Studio 2026 Smooths AI Integration, First of Annual Releases

Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Rob worked at Microsoft for 14 years where he designed technologies for Microsoft products and... more

Visual Studio 2026, Microsoft’s flagship development product, became generally available in Nov. 2025, and major versions will now arrive annually.

It brings minor enhancements, such as tighter AI integration driven by GitHub Copilot, which costs extra.

Migration from VS 2022, the previous version, is straightforward, usually with no manual effort.

Customers should consider which VS edition meets requirements for each developer and whether VS Code is a better choice to optimize costs.

Visual Studio (VS) 2026 offers a smoother experience for developers with a focus on AI-related functionality. There is no requirement to upgrade from VS 2022, but faster performance, better integration with (extra-cost) GitHub Copilot, and improved user-friendliness may entice some customers. Upgrading from the previous version is simple and usually requires little manual work. Teams should test the upgrade with their current projects but also take the time to consider which edition they need or if a free alternative, VS Code, meets requirements and reduces budgets.

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