Visual Studio Solution Explorer not showing files and folders

Question

Suddenly my solution tab stopped working on my Visual Studio 2013. Even it is existing project or brand new project it does not show files and folders in Solution Explorer. (File is attached)

I tried to reset settings, restarted PC but did not work. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms247075(v=vs.100).aspx

I did not installed any new extensions recently I was working what ever I had for a while.

Is there anything else I can do?

Update;

I am also getting this weird message when I click options Icon:

Answer 1

Check this out: http://www.hjerpbakk.com/blog/2014/7/25/no-content-in-solution-explorer-using-visual-studio-2013

To quote... "This issue is because of a MEF cache corruption. Installing the feedback extension (or installing any extension) will invalidate the cache causing VS to rebuild it."

Link to bug report: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/794111/no-exports-were-found-that-match-the-constraint-contract-name

Answer 2

I came across this post looking for a solution about some methods not being found on Solution Explorer. Just in case, VS 2022 has options to search for methods within File Contents, see image below, activating this option my issue was solved:

Answer 3

This worked for me:

1. Right-click on the project
2. Rebuild

Answer 4

Open the Solution Explorer and click on Show All Files Button, it will show the files which were there in your project and you were unable to see them. Then if you want to include them in your project, select the folder and right-click on it and select Include in the project.

Answer 5

it worked to click "show all files" in the Solution explorer!

Answer 6

with VS 2022 most of you must be trying to create a .NET 6 framework solutions. But you need to install the .NET 6 sdk separately for your projects to be listed under solution.

Installing .NET 6 SDK, resolved my issue.

Answer 7

Even, it will work if you clear your local app data for visual studio. %temp% AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\VisualStudio. %temp% AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio. Delete the files and restart your visual studio.

Answer 8

Rebuilding didn't work for me, and I wasn't keen on installing another extension.

Got it to work in the following three steps:

1. Click "Show All Files" in solution explorer (in bar above search bar)
2. Right click folder that was previously missing, select "Include In Project"
3. Click (unselect) "Show All Files" in solution explorer.

Answer 9

Just to get the answer here on the same page as the question: users should install (or uninstall) an extension to Visual Studio as this will force a rebuild of the MEF cache. The linked article suggested installing the Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 Feedback Tool extension, which I did do and it worked, but any extension installed through the Tools, Extensions and Updates menu would probably do the job.

I think the cause of this might have been related to an overzealous anti-virus program, but I can't say for sure.

Answer 10

For future Googlers / related issue in 2023, "Explorer" was not showing up for me in the sidebar at all. No way to view files and folders.

I had to delete the C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Code\User\globalStorage folder to get it to show up.

Answer 11

As this issue is because of a MEF cache corruption. Just delete your .vs folder and re-open your solution.

Answer 12

1. Copy and paste the folders and files at the project location for integrating the project module and build the project even though namespace has correct. This are the way to resolve

2. The file/folder is not visible proper so Right-click improper visible file/folder and click the Include in Project

3. Build the project -> If any error occur then it like namespace may be error because copy from one project to another project or else same project with different location so that check it

4. If the error like Build action 'Page' is not supported by the specific combination of the project's targets.

5. Go and resolve by further steps