How to: Create a Project from Existing Code Files

If you have an application that does not include project or solution files, for example, an application that you obtained from an online source, you can create a Visual Studio project from the existing code files. The project is created on your computer and all relevant files are added to the project.

A project can be created from any one of the following types of code files: Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#, or Visual J#. Using a wizard, you specify the details of the existing code files that will be added to the project and the application that will be created when you build the project.

Security Note:
Before you use existing code files to create a project, determine the trustworthiness of the code files outside of Visual Studio. Opening a project in Visual Studio automatically executes code from that project on your local machine in the fully trusted process of devenv.exe.

Note

The options available in dialog boxes, and the names and locations of menu commands you see, might differ from what is described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. This Help page was written with the General Development settings in mind. To view or change your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.

To create a project from existing code files

1. On the File menu, select New, and then click Project From Existing Code.

   The Create New Project from Existing Code Files wizard opens.

2. Use the wizard to specify the details of the existing code files that will be added to the project and the application that will be created when you build the project.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Create Solutions and Projects

Reference

Create New Project From Existing Code Files Wizard