Package requires NuGet client version '2.12'

Question

I am trying to install \'WindowsAzure.Storage 8.0.1\' in visual studio 2012, but getting the error

package requires NuGet client version \'2.12\' or abov

Answer 1

I struggled with this issue in Visual Studio 2010 when I was trying to add NewtonSoft.Json nuget package into my project. When I try to run the latest version of the nuget package from nuget package manager console:

PM> Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json

It results in the same error as mentioned by OP:

package requires NuGet client version '2.12' or above, but the current NuGet version is '2.8.60318.667'.

So I thought I would update the NuGet extension in Visual Studio first to latest version. But when I went into Tools -> Extensions and Updates window the Updates tab wasn't showing any update for Nuget extension. So it seems NuGet client version 2.12 isn't available/supported in Visual Studio 2010 at all. I was running out of options now.

So finally, I tried to install a specific lower version (6.0.3) of Newtonsoft.Json package deliberately this way:

PM> Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json {Your Project Name} 6.0.3

This worked successfully. Latest version of this package at the time of writing this post is 10.0.3 instead.

So, it might be the case that newer version of a nuget package is compatible with only latest version of nuget package manager. So sometimes explicitly installing a lower version of the package might help you. Older version of a nuget package will of course be compatible with older nuget extension in Visual Studio if it is not up-to-date.

The only caveat in this solution is that the functionalities present in lower version of the nuget package you target should suffice your current project needs. Good luck!

Note: Although I've elaborated this solution w.r.t. Visual Studio 2010 but you can try this work around for any Visual Studio version for that matter.