Can't find refresh button in Solution Explorer

Question

_{Thursday, May 12, 2016 1:34 PM}

Hi,

I am using Visual Studio Community 2015 Version 14.0.25123.00 Update 2. And my operation system is Windows 10 Home edition. In my Solution Explorer, however, I can not find the refresh button! Currently I have a "Back" button, a "Forward" button, a "Home" button, an "Open Files Filter" button, a "Sync with Active Document" button, a "Collapse All" button, a "Show All Files" button, a "Properties" button, and a "Preview Selected item" button. Where is my "Refresh" button? How can I set it up?

Thanks a lot!

Jeff

All replies (7)

_{Thursday, May 12, 2016 2:55 PM}

You can download hot fix from microsoft site:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3095681

_{Friday, May 13, 2016 5:26 AM}

Hi jeff_liu,

I think you can try the following methods.

1: You can check whether your solution explorer pane is too narrow and the button is hidden

2: Repair or reinstall VS

3: Install a more advanced version

4: You can visit the Visual Studio and Visual Web Developer Express  forum for getting more information.

http://forums.asp.net/1213.aspx/1?Visual+Studio+and+Visual+Web+Developer+Express

Best Regards,

Yohann Lu

_{Sunday, May 15, 2016 3:39 AM}

Sandeep, that hot fix is for update1 and was out in late 2015.  Yohann, I reinstall everything and find Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2015 with Update 2 is the latest version for now (May 15, 2016).  However, I still can not find the Refresh Button on the Solution Explorer pane. Currently I still have about 1/5 space empty on the Solution Explorer pane and I have made sure there is no place it could be hidden.  When you said "You can visit the Visual Studio and Visual Web Developer Express  forum", do you mean I should repost my thread in that forum? I did a search there and find no similar question.

Thanks a lot!

Jeff

_{Monday, May 16, 2016 7:14 AM}

Hi Jeff,

You can try Devenv.exe /SafeMode to start Visual Studio in safe mode, loading only the default environment and services, and check whether it can fix it.

If it still has same issue, you could consider uninstall Visual Studio Visual Studio Community 2015 via Control panel, and download and reinstall it again.

To download Visual Studio Community from Microsoft official site: Visual Studio Community

Have a good day.

Angie

_{Tuesday, May 17, 2016 3:43 PM}

Angie,

I reinstalled the whole OS once, uninstalled / reinstalled Visual Studio 2015 three times, including two times Visual Studio Community 2015, and one time Visual Studio Enterprise 2015, still have no avail. And when I did Devenv.exe  / SafeMode, it turned out to be even worse - the whole Solution Explorer Pane is gone! And I downloaded from the site you gave me:      https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs.aspx

There are a few things I would like to double check with you:

1. Is it a 32 bit application? To find it out on your machine, please do Ctrl + Alt + Delete to start Task Manager. My machine tells me it's a 32 bit application.  (My machine is 64 bit).

2. As of May 17, 2016, the latest version of Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2015 is Version 14.0.25123.00 Update 2. And Microsoft Visual Studio Enterprise 2015 has the same version number of Version 14.0.25123.00 Update 2. I actually have tried Update 1, but with the same problem.

3. Not only that I don't have a Refresh button on my Solution Explorer pane, but also that I don't see cell phone / tablet emulators in my IDE. Of course, this could be my installation problem - when I install, I choose the default "Typical" button. Do I need to choose "Custom" button when I install Visual Studio Community 2015? Or if I need to download something else to get those cell phone / tablet emulators?

Thank you very much for your help!

Jeff

_{Wednesday, May 18, 2016 1:43 AM}

Hi jeff_liu,

1: Visual Studio is a 32 bit application.

2: You should choose your application (not the total solution), you will find refresh button.

3: You can increase the functionality you want in the following way

4: You can also try the following way to open a new Solution Explorer View.

(1) Right click your "Solution".

(2) Select "New Solution Explorer View". This will pop-up a new "Solution Explorer" window with toolbars in it.

(3) Close you original "Solution Explorer" window.

Best Regards,

Yohann Lu

_{Monday, June 13, 2016 12:29 AM}

Hi guys,

Just want to explain that it's not that I didn't want to close this thread. In fact, my problem still persists and I don't get the point 3 screen dump Yohann gave above. I have un/reinstalled my Visual Studio over 5 times, including from the links you gave me. It's frustrating and I have reasonable ground to doubt my Visual Studio has been altered by some, um, national security people. Because I literally have not typed a single letter, everything comes from clicking through the Visual Studio template. I know you guys have exhausted your wit and hence there is no point to drag you down further. However, if I load an old version Asp.net 1 project, or if I download a sample project from the web, the Refresh button does appear. So, right now I am still using a Visual studio that doesn't have a Refresh button in my Solution Explorer, if I start my project normally.

I appreciate your kind help!