This article provides a complete guide to . Released in July 2022, this version holds a unique place in VS Code’s history: it is the last release officially supporting Windows 7 . We will explore why this version is so important, where to download it safely, how to install it, its key features, and answer the most common questions asked by developers who still rely on the classic Windows 7 platform.
: This version does not contain major new functionality compared to 1.70.2; its changes are considered "minor" and focused on the EOL (End of Life) transition. Key Features of the 1.70 Branch
The only safe location for is the official Microsoft archive.
is a free, open-source, and lightweight source-code editor developed by Microsoft and widely recognized as one of the most popular development tools available today. Its cross-platform nature allows it to run seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux , making it a universal choice for developers across different operating systems. Visual Studio Code 1.70.3 Download
The ZIP file referenced above is labeled win32-x64 . It is a 64‑bit build. For a 32‑bit version of Windows 7, you would need a corresponding 32‑bit build, which is harder to find. Most community preservation efforts focus on the 64‑bit version because 64‑bit processors have been standard for over a decade.
: As a point release, it addressed critical issues identified in versions 1.70.0 through 1.70.2. Key Features in the 1.70 Release Cycle
By downloading 1.70.3, you miss out on newer features like: This article provides a complete guide to
Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer file context menu
Open your Applications folder, right-click VS Code, and select to bypass macOS Gatekeeper verification for the first launch. Installing on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian) Open your terminal window ( Ctrl+Alt+T ). Navigate to your downloads directory: cd ~/Downloads Install the package using dpkg : sudo dpkg -i code_1.70.3-xxxxxxxxxx_amd64.deb Use code with caution. If any dependency errors occur, resolve them by running: sudo apt-get install -f Use code with caution. Crucial Next Step: Disabling Automatic Updates
Drag the extracted application icon directly into your Applications folder. : This version does not contain major new
Note: These are examples. Always fetch the current SHASUMS from https://code.visualstudio.com/sha or the GitHub release’s SHASUMS.1.70.3.txt .
Released in August 2022, VS Code 1.70 (the "August 2022 Release") was a major update. Version is the third revision—a patch release focused entirely on stability and bug fixes .