Show Tool Windows - Advanced Tool Window Management for Visual Studio

For Visual Studio 2019, 2022, and 2026

The Problem

Visual Studio's built-in Window -> Apply Window Layout feature has limitations:

• Replaces all windows - you cannot merge layouts with your current tool windows
• Named layouts only - requires creating and naming layouts before use
• Affects all windows - includes code editor layouts, not just tool windows

During a typical development session:

• Solution Explorer disappears offscreen or gets buried under other windows
• Tool windows accumulate until your workspace becomes cluttered
• You repeatedly open the same combinations of tool windows for specific tasks (debugging, profiling, database work, etc.)

The Solution

This extension provides flexible, stack-based tool window management:

Quick Access Commands

• Show Solution Explorer - Instantly bring Solution Explorer fully into view, even if it's offscreen
• Close All Tool Windows (except Solution Explorer) - Clean your workspace while preserving navigation
• Close All Tool Windows - Nuclear option for complete decluttering (code windows remain untouched)

Stash/Restore System (The Power Feature)

Unlike Window -> Apply Window Layout, the Stash/Restore system provides:

Feature	Visual Studio Built-in	This Extension
Merge tool windows	No - replaces everything	Yes - add to current workspace
Quick save without naming	No - must create named layout	Yes - instant stash to stack
Multiple saved configurations	Yes	Yes
Context menu operations	No	Yes - apply, hide, drop
Persistent across sessions	Yes	Yes
Affects code editor layout	Yes - overwrites everything	No - tool windows only

Getting Started

1. Access the Commands

After installation, find four new commands on the Tools menu:

2. Using the Stash/Restore Tool Window

Click Tools -> Stash/Restore Tool Windows to open the management window:

How Stashing Works

Creating a Stash

1. Open the tool windows you want to save using Visual Studio's View menu
2. Click Refresh (F5) in the Stash/Restore window to populate the list
3. Check the tool windows you want to include
4. Click Stash Checked - your configuration is saved to the top of the stack

Note: Stashes persist between Visual Studio sessions until you delete them.

Applying Stashes - Two Modes

The key advantage over Visual Studio's built-in layouts:

Merge Mode (Additive)

• Double-click a stash, or
• Right-click a stash, select Apply (Merge) from the context menu, or
• Use Pop (Merge) for the top stash

Result: Tool windows from the stash are added to your current workspace. Existing tool windows remain open.

Absolute Mode (Replacement)

• Right-click a stash, select Apply (Absolute) from the context menu, or
• Use Pop (Abs) for the top stash

Result: Current tool windows are closed, then the stashed tool windows are opened. Similar to built-in layouts, but tool-windows-only.

Managing Stashes

Pop Operations (Apply + Delete):

• Pop (Merge) - Add stashed tool windows to workspace, then delete the stash
• Pop (Abs) - Replace workspace with stashed tool windows, then delete the stash

Context Menu (Right-click any stash):

• Apply (Merge) - Add tool windows without deleting stash
• Apply (Absolute) - Replace tool windows without deleting stash
• Hide All ref'd by Stash - Close all tool windows referenced in the stash
• Drop - Delete the stash permanently

Bulk Operations:

• Drop All - Delete all stashes (confirmation required)

Keyboard Shortcuts

The Stash/Restore window includes built-in shortcuts:

• F5 - Refresh tool window list
• Ctrl+A - Check all tool windows
• Delete - Drop selected stash

Recommended: Assign Shortcuts to Menu Commands

For maximum productivity, assign keyboard shortcuts to the main commands:

1. Open Tools -> Options -> Environment -> Keyboard
2. Search for ScottTunstall in the command filter
3. Assign shortcuts to:
   • Tools.ShowSolutionExplorer
   • Tools.CloseAllToolWindowsExceptSolutionExplorer
   • Tools.CloseAllToolWindows
   • Tools.StashRestoreToolWindows

Use Cases

Scenario 1: Debugging Session

Problem: You need Output, Watch, Locals, Call Stack, and Diagnostic Tools.
Solution: Open them once, stash them. Apply the stash whenever you start debugging. Use Merge mode to keep your existing workspace intact.

Scenario 2: Database Work

Problem: You frequently need SQL Server Object Explorer, Server Explorer, and Data Sources.
Solution: Stash this combination. Apply in Absolute mode to clear your workspace and focus on database tasks.

Scenario 3: Lost Solution Explorer

Problem: Solution Explorer has wandered offscreen or is buried.
Solution: Run Tools -> Show Solution Explorer - it becomes fully visible immediately.

Scenario 4: Tool Window Overload

Problem: Your workspace has 15 tool windows open and you want a clean slate.
Solution: Run Tools -> Close All Tool Windows to reset without affecting your code editor layout.

Technical Details

• Persistence: Stashes are stored in Visual Studio's settings and persist across sessions
• Scope: Operations affect tool windows only; code editor tabs and layouts are never modified
• Architecture: Uses Visual Studio's DTE automation layer for tool window management
• Compatibility: Tested with Visual Studio 2019, 2022, and 2026 (x86 and amd64 architectures)

Why Not Use Built-in Window Layouts?

Visual Studio's Window -> Apply Window Layout has its place, but this extension complements it:

When to Use Built-in Layouts	When to Use This Extension
You need named, persistent layouts	You want quick, unnamed stashes
You want full window layout control (including code editor arrangement)	You only care about tool windows
You're switching between completely different workspace configurations	You want to add tool windows to your current workspace (Merge mode)
Your workflow is layout-centric	Your workflow is task-centric

Both can coexist - use Window -> Apply Window Layout for your base workspace arrangement, then use this extension for dynamic tool window management within that layout.

License

Developed by Scott Tunstall. Forking is allowed; creating derivatives for sale is forbidden.