The Intellectual Grunt

Have you ever wished to just start up the WebDev.WebServer for the current web project you are working on? Many times I am just editing the page markup and do not have a need for the debugger nor the need to build the project. I just need to see how the page looks. Here is how I do it...

Step 1: From the 'Tools' menu select the 'External Tools...' option. This will bring up the 'External Tools' dialog.

Step 2: Select the 'Add' button. Then complete the form like so:

Set the 'Title' to a value you desire.

Set the 'Command' to %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DevServer\9.0\WebDev.WebServer.exe

Set the 'Arguments' to /port:3786 /path:$(ProjectDir)\ (you can set the port value to any port you desire)

Set the 'Initial Directory' to $(ProjectDir)

 Step 3: Click 'OK' button to close the dialog.

Add Done! Now you should have a new menu option on the 'Tools' menu matching the title you gave the WebDev.WebServer. When selected it will kick off the WebDev.Server utility for the current selected project on your solution.