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Download Visual Studio Code for Windows 11 from the official VS Code website, then choose the installer that matches your processor and installation needs. For most PCs, the correct choice is User Installer > x64. It installs VS Code for your Windows account without requiring administrator permission and normally provides the simplest update experience.
Choose the right VS Code download
Open the official Visual Studio Code download page. In the Windows section, you will see these download types:
| Download | Best for | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| User Installer | Most individual Windows 11 users | Installs for your Windows account and normally does not require administrator permission. |
| System Installer | Shared PCs or managed computers | Installs for all Windows users under Program Files and requires elevation. |
| .zip | Portable or restricted installations | Extract the files and run VS Code without using the Windows installer. Updates are manual. |
| CLI | Command-line or special deployment scenarios | Provides the command-line distribution rather than the normal desktop installation. |
Each option is available for x64 and Arm64 Windows. Windows 11 is 64-bit, but it can run on either x64 processors or ARM-based processors.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How to check whether your PC is x64 or Arm64
- Open Start > Settings > System > About.
- Scroll to Device specifications.
- Read the System type entry.
Choose x64 for a conventional Intel or AMD Windows 11 computer. Choose Arm64 if the PC uses an ARM-based processor, such as some Snapdragon-powered Windows devices.
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Recommended method: install VS Code with the User Installer
- Go to code.visualstudio.com/download.
- Under Windows, locate User Installer.
- Select x64 or Arm64, depending on your system type.
- Open the downloaded file. Its name will look similar to
VSCodeUserSetup-{version}.exe. - Accept the license agreement and choose an installation location if you do not want the default.
- When the installer displays Select Additional Tasks, enable Add to PATH if it is available and not already selected.
- Continue through the installer and select Install.
- Launch VS Code from the Start menu when setup finishes.
The default User Installer location is:
C:Users<Username>AppDataLocalProgramsMicrosoft VS CodeThe User Installer is usually the better choice for a personal computer. It installs only for the current Windows account and supports the smoothest update process. Do not routinely run a User Installer installation as administrator: VS Code disables updates when it is run that way.
When to use the System Installer
Choose System Installer if VS Code must be available to every user on the computer or if your organization manages software through administrator-controlled installations. The System Installer installs under Program Files and requires administrator permission. Updates from inside VS Code also require elevation.
For a normal personal Windows 11 account, the System Installer offers no practical advantage over the User Installer and adds the requirement for administrator approval.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesInstall VS Code with WinGet
You can also install VS Code from PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Windows Terminal using Windows Package Manager:
winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode -eThe --id option identifies the package and -e requests an exact match. WinGet may display an elevation prompt. Approve it if Windows requires administrator permission for the selected installation.
If Windows reports that winget is not recognized:
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Find App Installer.
- Install or update it.
- Open a new terminal and run the WinGet command again.
The WinGet client is distributed as part of the App Installer package.
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Verify that VS Code installed correctly
Close any terminal windows that were open before installation. Then open a new PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Windows Terminal window and run:
code --versionA successful result displays the VS Code version, commit ID, and architecture. To open a project folder, change to that folder and run code .:
cd C:Users<Username>Documentsmy-project
code .The period means “the current folder.” It opens that folder in VS Code; it does not create a project or install any programming tools.
Fix the “code is not recognized” error
If the terminal says that code is not recognized, try these steps in order:
- Close every open Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Terminal window.
- Open a new terminal and run
code --versionagain. - If you installed the ZIP version, remember that it does not automatically add the command to PATH.
- Check that the VS Code installer’s Add to PATH option was enabled.
For the default User Installer, the command-line files are normally in:
%LOCALAPPDATA%ProgramsMicrosoft VS CodebinIf necessary, add that directory to your user Path environment variable through Start > Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables. Open a new terminal after changing PATH.
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Use the ZIP version if the installer fails
The official .zip download is useful when you cannot run an installer, do not have administrator access, or need a portable copy. Download the matching x64 or Arm64 archive, extract it, and run VS Code from the extracted folder.
For a conventional per-user location, extract the archive into:
%LOCALAPPDATA%ProgramsZIP installations must be updated manually for each release. They do not receive the same automatic update behavior as a standard installer installation. You may also need to configure PATH yourself if you want to use the code command.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Open VS Code from File Explorer
During installation, enable the File Explorer context-menu options if you want to open folders directly in VS Code. On current VS Code releases, the VS Code action can appear in the main Windows 11 right-click menu rather than only under Show more options. This depends on the context-menu option selected during setup.
If the entry is missing, right-click the folder and check Show more options, or rerun the installer and review the additional tasks.
What you still need to install
VS Code is an editor, not a complete development environment. Installing it does not install:
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- Git
- Python
- Node.js or npm
- Java
- C or C++ compilers
- The .NET SDK
- Language runtimes and language-specific debuggers
VS Code includes Git integration, but Git itself must be installed separately. Extensions can add editor support, formatters, and debugging features, but they generally do not replace the compiler or runtime needed to run a program.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11VS Code requirements on Windows 11
VS Code supports 64-bit supported Windows client versions, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft lists these recommended specifications:
- 1.6 GHz or faster processor
- 1 GB of RAM
- Less than 200 MB for the download
- Less than 500 MB of installed disk space
VS Code does not support Windows Server, non-persistent virtual machines, Microsoft App-V or MSIX application virtualization, or multiple simultaneous users on one machine, including pooled virtual-desktop hosts.
Update and check your VS Code version
Stable VS Code releases currently ship weekly and support automatic updates. To check the installed version in the application, open:
Help > AboutTo check for an update immediately, use:
Help > Check for UpdatesAs of August 7, 2026, the latest Stable release listed in the official release archive is VS Code 1.130, released July 22, 2026. Version 1.131 is listed as an Insiders release rather than Stable. The version shown on the download page may change as new releases are published.
Uninstall VS Code from Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Visual Studio Code.
- Select the … button next to it.
- Choose Uninstall and complete the prompts.
Uninstalling the application does not necessarily remove your settings, extensions, and user data. For a full reset, uninstall VS Code first, then delete:
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%APPDATA%Code
%USERPROFILE%.vscodeDeleting these folders removes your VS Code settings and extensions, so do it only if you want a clean start.
FAQ
Which VS Code installer should I use on Windows 11?
Use User Installer > x64 for most Intel- and AMD-based PCs. Choose Arm64 only for a Windows 11 computer with an ARM processor. Use System Installer when all Windows users need access.
Does installing VS Code require administrator permission?
The recommended User Installer normally does not require administrator permission. The System Installer does require elevation because it installs for all users under Program Files.
Why does Windows say that code is not recognized?
The terminal may have been open before VS Code was installed, PATH may not have been updated, or you may be using a ZIP installation. Open a new terminal first, then check the VS Code bin directory in PATH.
Does VS Code install Git or Python?
No. VS Code is an editor. Install Git, Python, Node.js, Java, compilers, SDKs, and other language tools separately.
Can I install VS Code without the Windows installer?
Yes. Download the official ZIP archive, extract it, and run VS Code from the extracted folder. ZIP installations require manual updates.
Where is VS Code installed for a User Installer installation?
The default location is C:Users<Username>AppDataLocalProgramsMicrosoft VS Code. Its command-line directory is %LOCALAPPDATA%ProgramsMicrosoft VS Codebin.
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The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 PCs, download User Installer > x64 from the official VS Code website, enable Add to PATH, and open a new terminal to test code --version. Choose Arm64 for ARM hardware, System Installer for all-user deployment, or the ZIP archive when the normal installer is restricted or fails.
Quick Recap
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