Unlocking Productivity: How to Support “Ctrl + Click” to Open Files in Tabs in Visual Studio 2022 using PowerShell

Are you tired of tedious file navigation in Visual Studio 2022? Do you wish there was a way to open files in tabs with a simple “Ctrl + Click” gesture, just like in your favorite web browser? Well, wonder no more! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to harness the power of PowerShell to make this functionality a reality, and take your coding experience to the next level.

Why “Ctrl + Click” matters

In today’s fast-paced coding environment, every second counts. The ability to quickly navigate and open files in tabs can significantly boost your productivity and reduce the time spent on mundane tasks. By leveraging the “Ctrl + Click” feature, you’ll be able to:

• Open files in tabs with ease, without disrupting your coding flow
• Reduce the number of clicks and mouse movements, minimizing fatigue and stress
• Enhance your overall coding experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the tutorial, ensure you have the following requirements met:

1. Visual Studio 2022 (any edition)
2. PowerShell (comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and later versions)
3. A basic understanding of PowerShell scripting (don’t worry, we’ll cover the basics)

Step 1: Create a new PowerShell script

Fire up PowerShell by searching for it in the Start menu or typing “powershell” in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R). Create a new script by typing:

notepad C:\Path\To\Script.ps1

Replace “C:\Path\To” with a desired location for your script file. For this example, we’ll use “C:\Scripts\VSVSPowerShellScript.ps1”. Press Enter to create the file and open it in Notepad.

Step 2: Write the PowerShell script

In the Notepad window, paste the following code:

# Get the current Visual Studio instance
$vstudio = Get-Process -Name devenv -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Check if Visual Studio is running
if ($vstudio) {
  # Get the file path from the first argument
  $filePath = $args[0]

  # Open the file in a new tab in Visual Studio
  $vstudio.ThreadPool.QueueUserWorkItem({
    param($filePath)
    $dte = [Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::GetActiveObject("VisualStudio.DTE.17.0")
    $dte.ExecuteCommand("File.OpenFile", $filePath)
    $dte.ExecuteCommand("Window.MoveToTab", "File1")
  }, $filePath)
} else {
  Write-Host "Visual Studio is not running." -ForegroundColor Red
}

Save the file and close Notepad. This script will get the current Visual Studio instance, check if it’s running, and open the specified file in a new tab if it is.

Step 3: Register the script as a Windows context menu item

We’ll use the built-in Windows utility, “reg,” to register our script as a context menu item. Open a new PowerShell window and run the following command:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\*\shell\VSVS Open in Tab" /v "Icon" /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /f

Replace “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe” with the actual path to your Visual Studio executable.

reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\*\shell\VSVS Open in Tab" /v "Command" /t REG_SZ /d "powershell -File ""C:\Scripts\VSVSPowerShellScript.ps1"" ""%1"" " /f

Again, replace “C:\Scripts\VSVSPowerShellScript.ps1” with the actual path to your script file.

Step 4: Test the “Ctrl + Click” functionality

Right-click on any file in File Explorer and navigate to the “VSVS Open in Tab” context menu item. Hold down the “Ctrl” key and click on the item. If everything is set up correctly, the file should open in a new tab in Visual Studio 2022.

Troubleshooting Tip	If the script doesn’t work, ensure that:
•	The PowerShell script is saved in the correct location and has the correct name.
•	The Visual Studio executable path is correct in the registry command.
•	The PowerShell script has execute permissions (right-click the script file, select Properties, and check the “Unblock” checkbox under the “General” tab).

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ve successfully enabled “Ctrl + Click” functionality to open files in tabs in Visual Studio 2022 using PowerShell. This simple yet powerful feature will significantly enhance your coding experience and reduce the time spent on mundane tasks. Remember to experiment with PowerShell scripts and explore the world of automation and customization possibilities in Visual Studio 2022!

Happy coding!

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