Search code examples
visual-studiovisual-studio-2008visual-studio-2005

Differentiating Between Visual Studio Versions


I need to figure out which version of Visual Studio 2008 is installed on particular computers.

Is there a way I can differentiate between Visual Studio Team System 2008 vs Visual Studio 2008 Development Edition?

Are there particular files installed for one that are not installed for the other?

To Clarify my question, I would like to differentiate between:

  • Visual Studio 2008 Standard Edition
  • Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
  • Visual Studio Team System 2008 Architecture Edition
  • Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition
  • Visual Studio Team System 2008 Development Edition
  • Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Edition
  • Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite

Solution

  • I think the registry would be your best bet. I've found the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\InstalledProducts

    Under this there's a key for each product installed:

    • Crystal Reports
    • ...
    • Microsoft Silverlight Projects
    • ...
    • Team Explorer
    • Team System - Database Edition
    • ...

    I don't know whether there's enough there to go on to uniquely identify each version, but it might get you most of the way there.