Add Missing Build Configuration DropDown to VS.NET

If you are like me, then you probably enjoy the convenience of the Build Configuration menu inside of Visual Studio.NET. This is the menu that contains the "Debug" and "Release" modes for project deployment configuration. Well when I build a new machine or re-install VS.NET, I notice that the build dropdown is not always displayed by default. So here are a few simple steps to get the menu back being displayed.

1. Goto the View -> Toolbars-> Customize menu in VS.NET. Select the 'Build' category on the left side, and scroll down to "Solution Configuration". Click and drag it to the location on your VS.NET menu where you would like it to be located. At this point you probably notice the dropdown is added, but is greyed out, and might not even have any option shown similar to the picture below (Step # 2 fixes this):


2. To now enable the menu goto the Tools -> Options menu. On the left side expand the "Projects and Solutions" section and select "General". Then on the right hand side, check the box that states "Show advanced build configurations".


That's it! You should now have an enabled build configuration menu in VS.NET.