Cannot build clean VSIX project: Tries to load Newtonsoft.Json which is not there?

Question

The following build error is pestering me.

The "CompareCommonBuildTaskVersion" task could not be loaded from the assembly C:\Users\Thijs\.nuget\packages\microsoft.vssdk.buildtools\16.6.1026\tools\VSSDK\Microsoft.VisualStudio.Sdk.BuildTasks.dll. 
Could not load file or assembly 'Newtonsoft.Json, Version=9.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=30ad4fe6b2a6aeed' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. 
Confirm that the <UsingTask> declaration is correct, that the assembly and all its dependencies are available, and that the task contains a public class that implements Microsoft.Build.Framework.ITask.   

I just checked the directory mentioned, and there is a Newtonsoft.Json.dll there, but it's version 12.0.2.23222 (File Version).

I'm using:

• Visual Studio Enterprise 2019 Preview
  • Version 16.6.0 Preview 1.0
• Visual Studio Enterprise 2019
  • Version 16.5.0

Upon reading the link EricEJ posted I checked my devenv.exe.config which has the following (correct) AssemblyRedirect:

    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity name="Newtonsoft.Json" publicKeyToken="30ad4fe6b2a6aeed" culture="neutral"/>
      <bindingRedirect oldVersion="4.5.0.0-12.0.0.0" newVersion="12.0.0.2"/>
      <codeBase version="12.0.0.2" href="PrivateAssemblies\Newtonsoft.Json.12.0.0.2\Newtonsoft.Json.dll"/>
    </dependentAssembly>

Problem seems to be with the actual BuildTools package (see answer).

Answer 1

I tried the different BuildTools package versions again, starting from the newest and after installing, restarted VS and then did a rebuild of the solution:

• Version 16.6.1026 -> March -> Not working
• Version 16.6.1024 -> March -> Not working
• Version 16.5.2044 - February -> Working

So far it seems the downgrade has resolved my issues.