Microsoft Releases First Preview Version of Visual Studio 2026

Microsoft today announced the first preview version of Visual Studio 2026, which is available from a new Insiders channel that replaces the old Visual Studio Preview channel.

“Visual Studio 2026 Insiders marks one of the most ambitious steps forward we’ve taken with the IDE,” Microsoft principal product manager Mads Kristensen writes. “This release brings AI woven directly into the developer workflow, performance improvements that reset expectations for speed at enterprise scale, and a modern design that makes the environment feel lighter and more focused.”

According to Kristensen, the AI features in Visual Studio 2026 aren’t “bolted on,” they’re integrated directly into the product. It offers dramatic performance improvements, a modern Fluent UI look and feel with improved iconography, simpler options, tinted themes, and improved extension management. And you can install it side-by-side with previous Visual Studio versions.

I’m still installing it as I write this, but I am obviously curious to see whether this lives up to promises. But you can check it out for yourself, of course. You can download Visual Studio 2026 Insiders from the Visual Studio website in Community, Professional, and Enterprise editions.