How to: Change the Start Action for Application Debugging
Note
The Express editions, such as Microsoft Visual C# Express, do not support changing the StartAction property; this is only supported in the full Visual Studio product.
The StartAction property for a project indicates the item to start when the application is debugged: the project, a custom program, a URL, or nothing. By default, this is set to Start project. The StartAction property is set on the Debug page of the Project Designer.
When set to Start project, the property indicates that the executable (for Windows Application and Console Application projects) should be started when the application is debugged.
Note
Class Library projects cannot be started directly. You must use a Start external program or a Start browser in URL action to debug them.
When set to Start external program, the property indicates that a specific program should be started when the application is debugged. For example, you might run a pre-built client that consumes your Class Library project.
When set to Start browser in URL, the property indicates that a particular URL should be accessed when the application is debugged. For example, you might access the URL to a Web site that uses your Class Library project.
To start debugging the executable
With a project selected in Solution Explorer, on the Project menu, click Properties.
Click the Debug tab.
Choose the Start project option.
To start debugging in an external application
With a project selected in Solution Explorer, on the Project menu, click Properties.
Click the Debug tab.
Choose the Start external program option.
Enter the full path for the external application, or click the ellipsis button to select the application.
To start debugging in a browser
With a project selected in Solution Explorer, on the Project menu, click Properties.
Click the Debug tab.
Choose the Start browser in URL option.
Enter the URL to the Web page.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Set Start Options for Application Debugging