Visual Studio Update 3: Enhanced Git, Azure, and Diagnostic Tools

Microsoft Accelerates Visual Studio Updates with Focus on Core Features

Gone are the days when Microsoft released major Visual Studio updates every two years. Since Visual Studio 2013, the company has adopted a faster release cadence, with Update 3 being the latest enhancement to its flagship development environment. This release focuses on improving core IDE functionality, Git integration, Azure tools, and diagnostic capabilities.

Key Improvements in Visual Studio Update 3

1. CodeLens Support for Git Repositories

• Previously limited to Team Foundation Server, CodeLens now extends its powerful code insights to Git-based systems (available in Visual Studio Ultimate).
• Developers can view critical information like:
  • Where a function is referenced
  • Last editor details
  • Code change history
• This enhancement reflects Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to Git integration.

2. Enhanced Diagnostic Tooling

• Improved CPU and memory usage tracking for applications
• Application Insights now built directly into Visual Studio:
  • Monitor deployed applications
  • Analyze user behavior
  • Diagnose code issues more efficiently

3. Azure Development Improvements

• Push Notifications Management: Handle device registrations directly from the IDE
• Azure Mobile Services: Streamlined creation process for new projects
• Remote Debugging: Support for 32-bit virtual machines
• Storage Management: View activity logs and provision read-only storage via the updated Azure SDK

Additional Updates Worth Noting

• New devops tools for improved workflow
• ASP.NET framework enhancements
• Features for hybrid app developers
• UI Customization: Finally, an option to display menu bars in title case instead of ALL CAPS

For developers working with Microsoft’s ecosystem, these updates represent meaningful quality-of-life improvements. The expanded Git support particularly stands out as Microsoft continues embracing open-source workflows.

Explore the full list of Update 3 features to see everything included in this release.