How to convert a VS 2010 solution back to 2008

Question

We started using VS 2010 and were very happy with it, so we converted our project into a 2010 solution (still .net 3.5) and continued our development in 2010. However, we ar

Answer 1

as maZZoo tells, you have to replace those lines in .sln, but if you check you Output panel you may have an alert of using ToolsVersion="4.0", you have to replace that in the .csproj to:

<Project ToolsVersion="3.5" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">

Answer 2

You can manually edit .sln file in text editor. There is field named version, or like that, just change it from 10 to 9.

Answer 3

I had success changing the first 2 lines from:

Microsoft Visual Studio Solution File, Format Version 11.00
# Visual Studio 2010

to

Microsoft Visual Studio Solution File, Format Version 10.00
# Visual Studio 2008

Answer 4

Assuming that your solution is under source control and the migration from VS 2008 to VS 2010 was the only change in that checkin, just compare the two version and see what's changed.

Then change the lines affected back to the VS 2008 version and you should be good to go.

There's no automatic process as Microsoft see this as a one way operation.

Answer 5

This question

How does one convert a Visual Studio .NET 2008 solution to Visual Studio .NET 2005?

might also be applicable for converting from 2010 back to 2008.

Answer 6

You can use "Project Converter": http://www.emmet-gray.com/Articles/ProjectConverter.htm

I have just found it. I am going to test it right now! :-)