How to enable C# 6.0 feature in Visual Studio 2013?

I was going through the latest features introduced in C# 6.0 and just followed an example of auto property initializer,

class NewSample
{
public Guid Id { get; } = Guid.NewGuid();
}

but my IDE did not recognize the syntax.

I am wondering how I could enable C# 6.0 in Visual Studio 2013. The Target framework I am using is 4.5.1.

Under VS2013 you can install the new compilers into the project as a **nuget package**. That way you don't need VS2015 or an updated build server.

[To see links please register here]

Install-Package Microsoft.Net.Compilers

The package allows you to use/build C# 6.0 code/syntax. Because VS2013 doesn't natively recognize the new C# 6.0 syntax, *it will show errors in the code editor window although it will build fine*.

Using Resharper, you'll get squiggly lines on C# 6 features, but the bulb gives you the option to 'Enable C# 6.0 support for this project' (setting saved to .DotSettings).

As mentioned by @stimpy77: for support in **MVC Razor views** you'll need an extra [package][1] (for those that don't read the comments)

Install-Package Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform

If you want full C# 6.0 support, you'll need to install VS2015.


[1]:

[To see links please register here]

### Information for obsoleted prerelease software:

According to [this][2] it's just a install and go for Visual Studio 2013:

> In fact, installing the C# 6.0 compiler from this release involves little more than installing a Visual Studio 2013 extension, which in turn updates the MSBuild target files.

So just get the files from

[To see links please register here]

and you are ready to go.

**You do have to know it is an outdated version of the specs implemented there, since they no longer update the package for Visual Studio 2013**:

> You can also try April's End User Preview, which installs on top of Visual Studio 2013.
(note: this VS 2013 preview is quite out of date, and is no longer updated)

So if you do want to use the latest version, you have to download the [Visual Studio 2015][3].


[1]:

[To see links please register here]

[2]:

[To see links please register here]

[3]:

[To see links please register here]

It worth mentioning that the **build time will be increased for VS 2015 users after**:

Install-Package Microsoft.Net.Compilers

Those who are using VS 2015 and have to keep this package in their projects **can fix increased build time**.

Edit file `packages\Microsoft.Net.Compilers.1.2.2\build\Microsoft.Net.Compilers.props` and clean it up. The file should look like:

<Project DefaultTargets="Build"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
</Project>

Doing so forces a project to be built as it was before adding `Microsoft.Net.Compilers` package

It seems there's some misunderstanding. So, instead of trying to patch VS2013 here's and answer from a Microsoft guy: [

[To see links please register here]

][1]

So, please, read it and install VS2015.

[1]:

[To see links please register here]

It is possible to use full C# 6.0 features in Visual Studio 2013 if you have Resharper.
You have to enable Resharper Build and voilá!
In Resharper Options -> Build - enable Resharper Build and in "Use MSBuild.exe version" choose "Latest Installed"

This way Resharper is going to build your C# 6.0 Projects and will also not underline C# 6.0 code as invalid.

I am also using this although I have Visual Studio 2015 because:

1. Unit Tests in Resharper don't work for me with Visual Studio 2015 for some reason
2. VS 2015 uses a lot more memory than VS 2013.

I am putting this here, as I was looking for a solution for this problem for some time now and maybe it will help someone else.