NEWS  Windows  January 3, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Microsoft has issued a stern warning to developers still relying on Visual Studio 2013 – the clock is ticking, and extended support is set to be terminated on April 9, 2024. Once a flagship in Microsoft's arsenal, Visual Studio 2013 has seen its popularity wane in recent years, and its impending departure from the support ecosystem marks the end of an era.

The Journey So Far

Visual Studio 2013 made its debut following the contentious release of Visual Studio 2012, arriving alongside Windows 8.1 as part of Microsoft's efforts to address the shortcomings of its predecessor, Windows 8. While the initial reception may have been mixed, Visual Studio 2013 brought notable improvements, simplifying Azure deployments and introducing the Visual XAML designer. Despite some early bugs, it remained a stalwart choice for developers working with a diverse array of environments and languages.

The IDE also introduced a debugging feature named Edit and Continue, which, although refined in subsequent releases, showcased Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the development experience. Notably, Visual Studio 2013 paved the way for a fully 64-bit suite, a milestone realized with the release of Visual Studio 2022.

The Sunset of Support

Starting from April 9, 2024, Visual Studio 2013 will no longer receive extended support, making it susceptible to security vulnerabilities without the prospect of timely fixes. Microsoft's policy dictates that security issue resolutions are reserved for products under extended support, and Visual Studio 2013 will cease to benefit from this safeguard.

With a plethora of editions, including Ultimate, Premium, Professional, Community, Express for Web, Express for Windows, Express for Windows Desktop, Team Explorer, and Test Professional, all bidding farewell to extended support, enterprises and users are urged to embark on the journey of upgrading to a more contemporary version.

The Upgrade Dilemma

While Microsoft assures that newer versions of Visual Studio support "most" project types, the transition may not be seamless for everyone. Developers are advised to conduct thorough testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce unforeseen complications. Given the age of Visual Studio 2013, there is a possibility that certain project types may no longer be supported, further emphasizing the need for a cautious and well-planned migration strategy.

As Visual Studio 2019 also inches towards extended support on the same date, April 9, 2024, the torchbearer for mainstream support will be Visual Studio 2022. Developers are encouraged to embrace the latest tools and features offered by Microsoft to stay at the forefront of software development.

 COVER IMAGE: MICROSOFT