GitHub for Beginners #4: Clone a Repo with Visual Studio 2026
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Video Description
If you're a Windows developer using Visual Studio, this is your starting point. We'll take you from a fresh Visual Studio install through cloning your GitHub repository and opening your code - the full first-run experience. What you'll learn:
Opening Visual Studio 2026 for the first time Visual Studio licensing and authentication (Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft accounts) Understanding the first-run setup process Connecting Visual Studio to GitHub Cloning a repository from GitHub in Visual Studio GitHub authentication from Visual Studio Solution Explorer's two modes (folder view vs solution view) Finding and opening solution files in a cloned repo Why this view mode matters when picking up someone else's code
Key insights:
Visual Studio license = Microsoft account (live.com, outlook.com, work account) You can skip the login, but you'll need it eventually for licensing Solution Explorer has a "switch views" button - critical for finding .sln files Folder view shows everything; Solution view shows just solutions Visual Studio 2026 integrates Git natively - no extensions needed The clone process is straightforward once you know where the buttons are Opening a solution is easier from Solution view than folder view
Previous Video: Your First Commit & Push to GitHub (VS Code) Next Video: Commit & Push with Visual Studio ► Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGxFXI4dC2sitM2Pt-54nozRs4Bn7yovv Successfully cloned in Visual Studio? Hit that like button! Subscribe and enable notifications - we're building your GitHub + Visual Studio skills. VS Code or Visual Studio - which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments! #GitHub #VisualStudio #VS2026 #Git #Clone #Windows #Programming #Tutorial #GitHubForBeginners #dotnet
Video Info
- Duration: 8:37
- Published: December 05, 2025
