How to: Update a Visual Studio Extension
You can update a Visual Studio extension on your system by using Extension Manager to install the updated version. If you create an updated version of an extension, you can signify it as updated by incrementing the version number in the VSIX manifest.
Extension Manager recognizes updates by comparing the VSIX manifest of the incoming extension to that of the installed extension. To be recognized as an update, the incoming manifest must have the same ID as the installed one, and a higher Version number. If the Version number is the same or lower, the package cannot be installed. If the ID values do not match, the package that is not yet installed is recognized as a separate extension.
To help prevent conflicts during development, we recommend that you uninstall earlier versions of extensions in progress, and also uninstall or disable any other potentially conflicting extensions.
To update an extension on your system
On the Tools menu, click Extension Manager.
In the left pane of Extension Manager, click Updates.
In the middle pane, click the update you want to install.
The version number of the updated extension is displayed in the right pane, together with other information.
At the bottom of the right pane, click Update.
Extension Manager replaces the installed version of the extension by using the new version.
To publish an update of an extension
In Visual Studio, open the solution for the extension you want to update. Make the changes.
In Solution Explorer, open source.extension.manifest.
In the manifest designer, increase the value of the number in the Version field.
Save the solution and build it.
Upload the new .vsix file (in the \bin\debug\ folder of the project) to the Visual Studio Gallery Web site.
When a user who has an earlier version of the extension opens Extension Manager, the new version will appear in the Updates list, provided that Extension Manager is set to automatically look for updates.