How do I remove a custom tool from visual studio?

Question

I've installed the protobuf-net ProtoBufTool custom tool into visual studio to automatically generate .cs file from protocol buffers files. I want to be able to build my project using msbuild for continuous integration and have moved over to using a python script to generate the files.

So how do you remove a custom tool from visual studio?

I've removed it from Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Templates\ItemTemplates\Visual C# which is where I installed it. I've searched for it in the registry and the GAC. I've tried removing it from the file properties in VS and it keeps coming back. I don't want to nuke my machine from orbit!

Edit: I've found the correct registry key now to disable the tool (see Clearing Custom Tool file property in Visual Studio 2010) but I'd still be interested to know if there's a better workflow for managing custom tools

Did the uninstaller not work? Minor note: the templates are completely separate to the custom tool. — Marc Gravell, Dec 08 '11 at 11:46
I think top gun can help me here: I'm holding on too tight. I've lost the edge. I'm sorry, sir. — Ben Ford, Dec 09 '11 at 08:27

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 08 '11 at 08:31

1

May be you can try:

Tools -> Add-in Managers
Tools -> Extension Manager

answered Dec 08 '11 at 08:31

wyz

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 08 '11 at 08:25

0

"Tools -> External tools" menu can help you.

answered Dec 08 '11 at 08:25

Anton

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 09 '11 at 08:29

0

As Marc pointed out there's a perfectly good uninstaller for just this situation.

answered Dec 09 '11 at 08:29

Ben Ford

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How do I remove a custom tool from visual studio?

3 Answers3