Showing Configuration Drop-down List on Toolbar in VS 2005
Many people reported that they miss configuration manager drop-down list (Debug/Release) in their VS 2005.
I observed that this happens mostly when you apply VB settings to your IDE. I experienced the same problem. I don’t know why guys at Microsoft think that VB programmers don’t need configuration manager.
You can however get your drop-down list back:
- UPDATE 24. Apr. 2007: Before going to next steps, try the tip from the first response below. This should solve the problem in most cases. If not, continue with the following steps.
- Go to menu Tools - Customize… (or right-click on any toolbar and Customize…)
- Switch to Commands tab.
- Select Build under Categories.
- Select Solution Configurations under Commands.
- Drag and drop it on the toolbar where you wish this drop down list to appear.
Some users reported that after placing the list on the toolbar it remains disabled. I couldn’t reproduced it but they suggested to reset your VS settings:
- Go to menu Tools - Import and Export Settings…
- Select Reset all settings. Follow the wizard and select Visual Basic Development Settings.
Please remember that this may destroy some of your VS customizations.
February 21st, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Before you reset your settings if the list is disabled, try to check “Show advanced build
configurations” in Tools, Options menu, Project and Solutions, General section. Thanks Carlos J. Quintero for this tip.
August 4th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
I need some help!
I have a vb.net , vs 2005 application, when I build on one machine it produces the required executable in debug mode but when I rebuild the same solution on another pc , it produces an executable which is quarter the size (as in release mode) although the solution is set to DEBUG mode on both PCs.
Both PCs are runing under Windows 2003 server and both have the same version of VB.net
All help appriciated.
Many Thanks
Mo
August 7th, 2006 at 10:08 am
I would compare project settings for DEBUG configuration on boths PCs. DEBUG and RELEASE are only names, it doesn’t mean they always produce debug or release code. They do by default but maybe you have changed something. See project options - Compile - Advanced compile options. Also compare VS 2005 options: Go to Tools - Options. Check “Show all settings” at the bottom of dialog. Then navigate to Debugging branch.
October 23rd, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Thanks, I couldn’t find the right setting until I came across your tip. I can’t believe MS didn’t make it a default setting! What a waste of 15mins of my time.
November 6th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Thank you so much Peter (and Carlos) for the tip on enabling the Solution Configurations. I was frustrated that it wasn’t there by default and even more frustrated that it was disabled after I added it to my toolbar! It took quite a bit of searching to come across this solution…
April 12th, 2007 at 5:34 am
holy crap.. i love this page… i thought i messed up installing .net… what’s MS thinking for not putting it there by default… crap….
April 24th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Thanks Peter Macej your suggestion worked
May 25th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Thanks for the help. Judging from the response, Peter and Carlos’s posting ““Show advanced build
configurations” in Tools, Options menu, Project and Solutions, General section.” fixed the problem.
My own solution was Solution Properties, Tab Compile, button Advanced Compile Options, Uncheck Enable Optimizations. Which BTW, seems to get checked when the project is zipped, then unzipped in any location other than its original folder structure.
I have not found this solution listed on any other website.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Thank you like you can’t believe. I have been scouring MS for an answer to this for an hour. I have also been scouring the net. Thank god I stumbled onto this post. And, the dropdown was disabled after I finally got it to appear, thanks to Peter, it is functional too.
Thanks again for your help!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
it’s good