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Is an offline installation of visual studio 2026 possible with remote layout ?

RIVA Adrien (EXT) 0 Reputation points
2026-02-13T10:20:41.66+00:00

Hi everyone, I also get an issue with offline installation.

I already download the layout and store it on a server.

I have to make the installation of many PC so I don't download the layout on every machines but I set the path of the layout to my remote server like it : \MyRemoteServer\VS26Layout\vs_professional.exe --channelUri "\MyRemoteServer\VS26Layout\channelManifest.json" --noWeb --force --removeOos true --downloadThenInstall --noUpdateInstaller --includeRecommended --includeOptional

But I have many issue .

First, the channel isn't found, the log said that the path isn't correct . I thnik the installer exe isn't able or allowed to go on remote server.

So , to get further , I copy the channel en catalog json on the local machine, but when I start the installation, It still failed cause the installater cannot get the file of the layout from my remote server.

So can you tell me honestly if using a remote server to stock the layout is possible ?

I do it because I don't want to copy the layout ( 70 Go ... ) on every machines ...

Thank you !

Developer technologies | Visual Studio | Setup
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  1. Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 1,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-16T01:41:41.8233333+00:00

    Hi @RIVA Adrien (EXT) , 

    Thank you for contacting us. 

    Offline installation using a remote layout is supported. However, the deployment approach depends on how the layout is hosted. 

    There are two common hosting methods: 

    • Intranet web hosting (using Hypertext Transfer Protocol, such as [http://server/]...) 
    • Network share hosting (using file system path such as \ServerName\Share) 

    Each method uses a different hosting approach and requires a different installation command.

    Based on your description, it appears you are using a network share. Additionally, since this is a first time installation of Visual Studio on the client machines, these following parameters are not required: 

    • --channelUri 
    • --force 
    • --removeOOS 
    • --downloadThenInstall 

    These parameters are generally used for update or servicing scenarios rather than initial installation. 

    Please try the following command instead: 

    YourRemoteServer\VS26Layout\vs_professional.exe --in "
YourRemoteServer\VS26Layout\response.json" --noWeb --passive --norestart --includeRecommended --includeOptional --wait

    This command will help you deploy and install the configuration consistently across all client machines.

    Please make sure the shared layout is configured with read permissions. If it is not, this may cause errors such as the system being unable to find the specified path, as in your case.

    If the issue persists, please try running the command manually on a single client machine. This will help determine whether the problem is related to permissions or the deployment configuration.

    Please keep us updated on the results, and we will be happy to assist you further.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-13T10:20:56.74+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Yes, it is possible to perform an offline installation of Visual Studio 2026 using a remote layout. However, there are specific requirements and considerations to ensure that the installation works correctly:

    1. Permissions: Ensure that the user or system account running the installation has proper access to the network share that contains the layout. This is crucial for the installer to access the files.
    2. Correct Path: Make sure the paths you are using for the layout and the channel manifest are correct. If the installer cannot find the specified paths, it will fail. Verify that the paths are accessible from the client machines.
    3. Using --noWeb Parameter: When using the --noWeb parameter, the installer will only use the files in your layout directory and will not attempt to download any packages from the web. This means that all necessary components must be included in the layout, or the installation will fail if any components are missing.
    4. Local Copies: If you encounter issues with accessing the remote server, consider copying the necessary files (like the channel and catalog JSON) locally to see if that resolves the issue. However, the installer still needs to access the layout files on the remote server.
    5. Installation Path Length: Ensure that your installation path is fewer than 80 characters, as longer paths may cause issues during installation.

    If you continue to experience issues, it may be beneficial to check the logs for specific error messages that can provide more insight into what might be going wrong during the installation process.

    References:

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