Visual C++ Settings

  • Article

Visual C++ settings are designed to optimize the user experience and to maximize the productivity of Visual C++ developers. It is part of the Visual Studio Settings feature, which enables you to customize and save your Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) settings.

You can also port or reload your IDE settings on other computers. For more information, see How to: Share Settings Between Computers or Visual Studio Versions.

By default, Visual Studio hides and displays certain windows and views based on the selected Visual Studio Setting. The following table shows the default behavior when the Visual C++ Development Settings are selected.

Note

Windows and view that are not affected by Visual Studio settings are not listed.

Windows and Views

Feature

Displayed by default?

Notes

Class View

Yes

  • Filtering is enabled

  • Class View folders are enabled

  • Hides Implemented Interfaces nodes on classes

Command Window

No

 

Object Browser

Yes, in physical view

  • Does not show inherited members

  • Displays all class members by default

Output Window

Yes, when build starts

Exposes GotoNextError commands through shortcut keys.

Solution Explorer

Yes

Synchronize selected file with open file in the Code Editor is OFF by default.

Start Page

Yes

Only displays the first time you start the IDE.

Team Explorer

No

You can use Team Explorer to access your team projects and use the application lifecycle management features of Team Foundation, such as version control, builds, project management, and integrated reports and dashboards.

Task List (Visual Studio)

No

It will not display because of any build command.

Toolbox

Yes

  • Displays components in alphabetical order.

  • Displays Clipboard Ring tab.

In addition, the following elements have certain behaviors enabled when you select the Visual C++ profile.

Dialog Boxes

Feature

Behavior

Quick Find, Find and Replace Window

New Project Dialog Box

When other platforms are installed on the machine, the IDE enables the combo box that allows you to specify the targeted platform.

Options Dialog Box (Visual Studio)

The More Options button displays options for Source Control, Device Tools, Database Tools, HTML Designer, and XML Designer.

Keyboard

Feature

Behavior

Pre-defined Keyboard Shortcuts

Visual C++ supports:

Miscellaneous IDE Elements

Feature

Behavior

Designer settings

The default view is the Code Editor, not the component designer view.

Main menus, shortcut menus, toolbars, commands

  • Tool tips will appear for all menu items and tool bar buttons when the mouse hovers above them and will contain the corresponding shortcut key.

  • A platform selection drop-down list box will appear in the main tool bar.

Shell appearance

Window management and layouts

Default layout of windows:

  • The Solution Explorer, Class View, and Resource View tool windows will display on the left side, at full length.

  • The Output window and Property Grid will not display by default.

Default layout of debugger windows:

  • Autos, Locals, Watch1, and Registers windows will display on the left side.

  • Call Stack, Breakpoints, Threads, Modules, and Output will display on the right side.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Change Select Settings

How to: Specify Settings for a Team

Reference

Import and Export Settings, Environment, Options Dialog Box