Do not start Visual Web Developer server for each web project in a complex solution

Question

I have a huge solution with many web projects and many console projects.

When I install the console project as the default startup project, and then click “Start Debugging” (F5), this is what happens:

• 7 local web servers launched (since there are 7 web projects)
• Then the console application starts

I would like to know if there is a way to tell VS2010 not to run 7 web projects and only run a console application?

Answer 1

• You can do a web project "Use local IIS web server" instead of VS web server

• Each web project has the project property "Always run when debugging". Set to False, the VS web server will not start the project web server.

Answer 2

From my experience (in our main solution we have ~ 10 dll and 3 websites), this is impossible,

if you do not upload (Project → Unload menu), this website stands out from the solution.

Answer 3

In Visual Studio 2010 (as well as VS2012), you can only create and run a startup project with their dependencies. Therefore, if your console project is your only launch project, VS will only compile and run the console project with the necessary referenced projects.

See: Tools → Options → Projects and Solutions → Build and Run → Check "Only create launch projects and Run dependencies".