What version to upgrade too if I'm currently using VS 2012

Question

User1820622718 posted

Hello,

We are slow at upgrading where I currently work, but I just saw that the documentation for VS 2012 is not being maintained anymore so I'm thinking of upgrading.  I have version 11.0.61219.00 Update 5 of Visual Studio 2012. 

1. Can I just install a new version of Visual Studio along side VS 2012 without causing issues?

2. If I have to upgrade should I go to VS 2013 or VS2015?  I want to make sure all my projects created in VS 2012 don't break when I upgrade to a new version. 

Thank you

Answer 1

User475983607 posted

Jerry8989

1. Can I just install a new version of Visual Studio along side VS 2012 without causing issues?

Yes, you can install different version of VS on a single machine.  You should expect the unexpected.  I would create a copy of the applications and test first.

Jerry8989

2. If I have to upgrade should I go to VS 2013 or VS2015?  I want to make sure all my projects created in VS 2012 don't break when I upgrade to a new version. 

I would go for the latest version; Visual Studio 2017.

Answer 2

User2053451246 posted

1. Can I just install a new version of Visual Studio along side VS 2012 without causing issues?

Yes you can have multiple version of VS side by side on the same computer.

2. If I have to upgrade should I go to VS 2013 or VS2015?  I want to make sure all my projects created in VS 2012 don't break when I upgrade to a new version. 

If you are taking the time to upgrade, you might as well go for VS 2017.  Project compatibility with new versions of VS is based on the version of the .Net Framework your project is targeting.  VS 2017 works with .Net Framework 4 and forward, as well as the new .Net Core stuff that's going on.

VS 2017 Community Edition is free and has almost all features of the paid versions:

https://www.visualstudio.com/thank-you-downloading-visual-studio/?sku=Community&rel=15#

Answer 3

User1820622718 posted

Jerry8989

1. Can I just install a new version of Visual Studio along side VS 2012 without causing issues?

Yes, you can install different version of VS on a single machine.  You should expect the unexpected.  I would create a copy of the applications and test first.

Jerry8989

2. If I have to upgrade should I go to VS 2013 or VS2015?  I want to make sure all my projects created in VS 2012 don't break when I upgrade to a new version. 

I would go for the latest version; Visual Studio 2017.

Thank you both so much for your quick answers.  I think I'm going to install VS 2017 side by side with VS 2012.  Most of the applications I've built have been on .net 4 and up.

Can I mark both answers correct?  Thank you both

Answer 4

User-1838255255 posted

Hi Jerry8989,

According to your description, here is my answer of your issues:

1. Can I just install a new version of Visual Studio along side VS 2012 without causing issues?

Of course, you could install more version's VS in your computer.

2. If I have to upgrade should I go to VS 2013 or VS2015?  I want to make sure all my projects created in VS 2012 don't break when I upgrade to a new version. 

About this question, as far as i know, each new version of Visual Studio generally supports most previous types of projects, files, and other assets. For more details, please check the following article:

Port, Migrate, and Upgrade Visual Studio Projects:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/porting/port-migrate-and-upgrade-visual-studio-projects 

Best Regards,

Eric Du