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Microsoft Expands AI Capabilities in Visual Studio 2022 with GitHub Copilot Free

• By David Ramel
• February 11, 2025

Microsoft has rolled out the latest update to its flagship integrated development environment, Visual Studio 2022 v17.13, introducing new AI-powered features, including GitHub Copilot Free. This release provides developers with AI-driven coding assistance, marking a significant expansion in Microsoft's commitment to artificial intelligence in software development.

GitHub Copilot Free offers developers with GitHub with accounts of up to 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month. Microsoft emphasizes that the AI assistant is tailored to individual coding styles and project needs. Developers can now receive instant coding suggestions, leverage natural language prompts for AI-driven edits across multiple files, and navigate projects more efficiently using intuitive AI-powered chat features.

Beyond the free tier, Microsoft details additional subscription plans, including:

• Copilot Pro ($10 per month or $100 annually), which provides unlimited code completions, chat requests, and access to advanced AI models like Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro and OpenAI’s o1-preview.
• Copilot Business ($19 per user per month), designed for organizations with multiple developers.
• Copilot Enterprise ($39 per user per month), catering to large-scale enterprise development needs with extended AI capabilities.

The AI integration in Visual Studio extends beyond GitHub Copilot, with AI-enhanced debugging tools, code search functionalities, and automated workflow improvements. New capabilities include:

• Code Referencing for GitHub Copilot Completions, offering transparency in AI-suggested code.
• Vision Support in Copilot Chat, allowing image-based inputs for enhanced collaboration.
• Cross-File Copilot Edits, enabling AI-powered modifications across multiple files.
• Function Calling in Copilot Chat, improving contextual understanding and automated suggestions.

Microsoft’s commitment to AI-infused development is evident, with Copilot AI deeply integrated into Visual Studio’s ecosystem. The latest update also includes productivity enhancements, debugging improvements, and cloud development tools. Developers can now customize file encoding, navigate recent files more efficiently, and use AI-assisted feature searches.

This release underscores Microsoft’s broader strategy to integrate AI into all aspects of the development lifecycle.

"Based on your feature requests, several new tools and enhancements have been added to this release," said Mads Kristensen, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft. "This update includes improvements for developers, such as advanced debugging capabilities, efficient code management, and enhanced security features."

As Microsoft continues refining Visual Studio’s AI-powered capabilities, the latest update signals a shift toward a more AI-driven development experience. With GitHub Copilot Free and its expanded suite of AI tools, Visual Studio 2022 v17.13 positions itself as a critical platform for developers navigating the future of software engineering.