The actual download size for "all" workloads is ~35-50 GB depending on optional components. Use the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal (formerly MSDN) to get the legitimate vs_enterprise.exe bootstrapper for version 2019.
He loaded the legacy C++ solution. Intellisense fired instantly. The build succeeded.
.\vs_enterprise.exe --layout D:\VS2019_Enterprise_Nuclear ` --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.All ` --includeRecommended ` --includeOptional ` --includeLanguagePacks ` --lang en-US The terminal roared to life. The progress bar crawled. 1%... 12%... 45%... Over two hours, the drive filled: Windows SDKs , SQL Server Data Tools , C++ CMake tools , Xamarin , .NET Core 3.1 , TypeScript , Python , IntelliCode offline models.
vs_enterprise.exe --layout c:\VS2019_Enterprise_Full --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.ManagedDesktop --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NetCrossPlat --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.Data --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.Office --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.Universal --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.VisualStudioExtension --includeRecommended --includeOptional --lang en-US He paused. That was only 25 GB. He wanted the nuclear option. The actual download size for "all" workloads is
Dr. Aris Thorne, a lead systems architect for a secure government subcontractor, stared at the memo on his screen.
At 11:47 PM, the prompt returned.
# Full offline layout (English only, all workloads) vs_enterprise.exe --layout D:\VS2019_Offline --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.All --includeRecommended --includeOptional --lang en-US vs_enterprise.exe --noweb --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.ManagedDesktop --includeRecommended Intellisense fired instantly
The command he typed was a weapon:
He knew the magic words. He opened and navigated to his downloads folder.
That evening, in his home office with a fiber connection and a brand new 128 GB USB 3.2 drive, Aris began. The progress bar crawled
He checked the folder: .
The next morning, Aris walked through three security checkpoints. He handed the encrypted USB drive to the security officer, who scanned it for malware in an isolated terminal. Clean.
vs_enterprise.exe --noweb --quiet --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop --includeRecommended --includeOptional
He had already obtained the official bootstrapper: vs_enterprise.exe from the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal.
Finally, the command prompt returned.