How to Update VS Code on Windows, macOS, and Linux

VS Code keeps itself current automatically on Windows and macOS. On Linux, your package manager handles updates. Keeping the editor current gives you the latest features, security fixes, and extension compatibility.

How updates work by platform

Windows and macOS

VS Code checks for updates automatically. When a new Stable release is available, a notification appears in the lower-right corner of the window. Click Update to download and install it. The editor restarts and reopens your workspace.

To check manually:

• On Windows: Go to Help > Check for Updates.
• On macOS: Go to Code > Check for Updates.

If an update is available, VS Code downloads it. If you are already on the latest version, a message confirms it.

To see which version you are running:

• On Windows and Linux: Help > About.
• On macOS: Code > About Visual Studio Code.

The About window shows the version number with the format major.minor.release, such as 1.131.0. It also shows the commit ID and build date.

Disable auto-update

If you need to stay on a specific version, turn off automatic updates. Open the Settings editor, search for update mode, and change it from default to none.

You can also set it directly in settings.json. This disables all automatic update checks:

json

{
  "update.mode": "none"
}

With auto-update off, you must check for updates manually. This is useful on managed work machines, shared lab computers, or when testing against a fixed version.

ZIP archive on Windows

If you installed VS Code from a ZIP archive, auto-update does not apply. Download the new ZIP from code.visualstudio.com/download and extract it to the same location, replacing the old files.

Linux

On Linux, your system package manager controls updates. If you installed through the official repository, VS Code updates alongside the rest of your system.

For Debian and Ubuntu, run the standard update and upgrade:

bash

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This refreshes the package list and installs updates for all packages, including VS Code.

For Fedora and RHEL, use dnf:

bash

sudo dnf update

This checks all configured repositories and applies available updates.

For Arch Linux with the AUR package, update with your AUR helper:

bash

yay -Syu

Snap packages update automatically in the background. No command is needed.

Skip an update safely

Dismissing an update prompt does not break anything. The current version keeps working. The next prompt appears when the following release ships, usually the next week.

If you skipped several updates and want to catch up, run a manual check. VS Code installs the latest version directly, even if you missed releases in between.

Updates and extensions

VS Code also updates extensions automatically by default. When an extension publisher releases a new version, it installs in the background.

To disable extension auto-update, open Settings, search for extensions auto update, and set it to off.

You can also add this line to settings.json to stop all extension updates:

json

{
  "extensions.autoUpdate": "off"
}

Keeping extensions current is just as important as keeping the editor current. Extension updates fix bugs and close security gaps.

Next steps

Your editor stays current. To learn about the other build option, see the Stable vs Insiders comparison. If you need to remove VS Code entirely, follow the uninstall guide.