I don't know what the re-install was about. There is only one plugin and unlesss vs has not shutdown it will install without uninstall. I think that message was from some windows installer component and specific to you machine.

As for the debugger it sounds like you cant find the F4 project properties?

Hi Jim

Okay I think this post probably belongs in the debugger beta section because everything sounds like it is working okay, you just can't find the "Properties Window"

See if all this makes sense?

The uninstall message is the standard windows installer "Uninstall or Repair" message we see if we attempt to install software that is already installed? 

The debugger instructions say to first make sure the plugin is installed correctly by compiling a sketch such as the "Blink" example. I am assuming you have confirmed the compile is working and you have a list of Arduino boards and other user interface extensions for the standard non-debugging plugin?

If the standard plugin is working then the post you read about needing to uninstall before installing relates to people who have an install problem upgrading from one vm version to another will not be relevant.


The debugger installer does not alter the version of the standard plugin it simply adds some additional support files for the debugger. You said the install of the debugger update ran okay so that was all that was needed.

So it does seem that the only problem you have is to find the properties window. You are not alone in being confused finding this window, there are some other posts from users who have had the same problem for a couple of different reasons. So here is a summary of those posts ...

It is confusing in VS because there is a "Property Window", "Property Pages" and a "Property Manager". The plugin extends the "Property Window". The "Property Window" is a dock-able tool window which is why it is called a window (it does not look like a conventional on-top dialog window).

The "Property Window" is accessed by clicking the name of the project in the "Solution Explorer" and pressing F4. If that doesn't work then there should be a menu item at the top of the VS ide called "View>Property Window" or "View>Other Windows>Property Window". It does change slightly across VS versions.

When the "Property Window" is active you will see its contents change as you click/select different "files/folders/project names/solution name" in the solution tree.

One user had a problem seeing the properties window when F4 was pressed because the user had forgotten he had previously minimized the property window to a tab/button on the outer edge of the VS Ide. So if it doesn't appear look carefully at the Vs Ide for a tab called "Property Window"

FYI: The "Properties Pages" and "Property Manager" all relate to standard Microsoft Win32 C++ development which the plugin ignores and overrides. We override the intellisense system of VS C++ projects providing the Arduino sources instead of Win32. This is why you see options for windows debug etc. Ignore all of the options in these windows when in an Arduino projects. You can close these windows when working in an Arduino project.

I noticed as well that the details for fields, at the bottom of the properties page is truncated. making the window wider helps but there are not sliders to allow you to see all the text so all the effort you put into detailing the fields is only partially available.
Overall though it is a very impressive job and something sorely needed to aid Arduino development.
Thanks so much for your help and patience in getting me running.
Jim