Unlike the "Integrated" shell, which merges with existing Visual Studio installations, the allows your application to run side-by-side with other versions of Visual Studio. This is ideal for specialized tools—such as SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)—that need a customized UI, branding, and specific features without the overhead of standard programming languages. System Requirements
: If the direct link is unavailable, you may need to sign in to the Visual Studio Dev Essentials program, which is free to join and provides access to legacy software and tools.
The official and safest way to obtain the installer is through Microsoft's dedicated older downloads portal.
The is a specialized tool used by developers and third-party vendors to build standalone applications that leverage the Visual Studio interface without requiring a full installation of the IDE. Where to Download Visual Studio 2015 Shell (Isolated)
: You can access the 2015 Isolated Shell by visiting the Visual Studio Older Downloads page.
Before downloading, ensure your Windows host meets these minimum hardware specifications: Visual Studio Isolated Shell - Microsoft
: If you are building a shell-based application, the Shell is included as part of the Visual Studio 2015 SDK , which is an optional component available within the main Visual Studio 2015 installer. What is the Isolated Shell?