To understand the impact of its retirement, one must first appreciate the unique role Visual Studio Tools for Applications played in the ecosystem.
| Milestone | Date | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | March 7, 2017 | Initial general availability. | | Mainstream Support End | April 12, 2022 | End of feature updates, non-security hotfixes, and warranty claims. | | Extended Support End | January 9, 2024 | End of security updates, paid support, and technical assistance. PRODUCT EOL | To understand the impact of its retirement, one