Microsoft has since released Azure SDKs for .NET Core, .NET 5/6/8, and the integrated Azure CLI. Consequently, you will not find SDK 2.9.6 on the main Azure Download page anymore. The official links now redirect to the latest versions (3.x, 4.x, or the modern az CLI).
To get version 2.9.6, you must visit the Microsoft Visual Studio Older Downloads archive or the GitHub Releases section of the Azure SDK repository.
The web installer downloads approximately 150–200 MB. A full offline installation requires an internet connection. Restart Visual Studio if it’s open.
The Microsoft Azure SDK 2.9.6 is a legacy toolset primarily designed for developers using Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015. Download Status & Direct Links
Microsoft has officially deprecated the standalone installer for Azure SDK 2.9.6. While the original Web Platform Installer links are largely defunct, you can still find components or guidance here:
Archived Information: Detailed release history and alternative setup methods are often discussed on Stack Overflow.
Modern Alternative: For Visual Studio 2017 and newer, you no longer download a standalone SDK. Instead, use the Azure Development Workload directly within the Visual Studio Installer.
NuGet Packages: Most functionality from this SDK is now delivered via individual Azure SDK for .NET packages on NuGet. Key Features of the 2.9 Series
The 2.9 release introduced several tools for cloud developers, including:
To download and install the Microsoft Azure SDK 2.9.6, follow these steps to ensure you get the correct components for your development environment. 1. Direct Download Link microsoft azure sdk 2.9.6 download
The primary way to get version 2.9.6 is through the official Microsoft Download Center: Download Microsoft Azure SDK for .NET - 2.9.6 2. Installation Guide
Depending on your needs, you will need to select specific files from the download list:
For Visual Studio 2015: Download and run MicrosoftAzureSDK2.9.6.exe. This is the full installer that integrates Azure tools directly into your IDE.
For Visual Studio 2013: Look for the specific installer labeled for VS 2013, as the 2.9 series was one of the last to support it.
Authoring Tools: If you are only building packages on a build server, you may only need the MicrosoftAzureAuthoringTools-x64.msi.
Azure Libraries for .NET: These are typically managed via NuGet rather than a direct SDK installer for modern projects. 3. Verification After installation, verify the setup: Open Visual Studio. Go to Help > About Microsoft Visual Studio.
Scroll through the installed products list to find Azure App Service Tools v2.9.6 or Windows Azure SDK 2.9.6. 4. Important Note on Support Azure SDK 2.9.6 is a legacy version released around 2016.
Compatibility: It is primarily designed for Visual Studio 2013 and 2015.
Modern Alternatives: If you are using Visual Studio 2017, 2019, or 2022, you do not need a separate SDK download. You should instead use the Visual Studio Installer, select "Modify," and check the "Azure development" workload. Microsoft has since released Azure SDKs for
The Microsoft Azure SDK 2.9.6 is a legacy development toolkit primarily used for building, deploying, and managing cloud applications within Visual Studio 2013 and Visual Studio 2015. While modern Azure development has shifted toward the integrated "Azure Development" workload in Visual Studio 2017 and later, this specific version remains essential for maintaining legacy Azure Cloud Services and ARM templates. Key Features of Azure SDK 2.9.6
Released to enhance developer productivity for classic cloud resources, version 2.9.6 introduced several stability improvements over the initial 2.9 release:
Secondary App Service Creation: Enhanced publishing features that allow developers to create and manage multi-tier application topologies directly from Visual Studio.
Resource Manager (ARM) Tools: Support for referencing resources existing outside the current template and running server-side validation on templates before deployment.
Service Profiler (Preview): A diagnostic service to sample and identify performance bottlenecks in distributed applications.
Enhanced Diagnostics: Improved Application Maps for data visualization and support for Event Hub as a target for Azure Diagnostics.
Integrated Tooling: Inclusion of Azure Data Lake Tools and Microsoft Service Fabric Tools for specialized cloud development. How to Download and Install SDK 2.9.6
As this is a legacy version, the traditional Microsoft Download Center links have been largely retired in favor of automated installers. Below are the primary ways to acquire the SDK: What is Azure? | Microsoft Azure
The quest to download the Microsoft Azure SDK 2.9.6 is often described by developers as a journey into the "legacy archives." Released around 2016, this specific version was a cornerstone for developers using Visual Studio 2015 to build and deploy cloud services and Azure Logic Apps. The Story of a Legacy Essential In its prime, version 2.9.6 was the go-to update for the Azure Tools and SDK 2.9 To get version 2
suite. It introduced critical stability for remote debugging and improved reliability for Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates . However, as the tech landscape shifted toward the Azure SDK for .NET
versions, the direct download links for 2.9.6 began to vanish. The Download Dilemma
Modern developers often find themselves in a "dead link" scavenger hunt. Traditional methods like the Web Platform Installer (WebPI)
, which once served as the primary gateway for this SDK, reached its end of support in late 2022
. Many official Microsoft links now result in "404 Not Found" errors or lead to pages stating the download is no longer available. How to Find it Today
If you are maintaining a legacy system that strictly requires this version, your path usually involves one of these workarounds: Visual Studio Installer : For those using Visual Studio 2017
or later, the Azure workload often includes compatible legacy components, though it may not be the exact 2.9.6 standalone installer. WebPI Offline Feeds : Experts on Super User suggest creating a WebPI Offline Feed
to host a local repository of these older installers if you can still find the source binaries. Direct Binary Search
: Developers often rely on community-shared links on platforms like Stack Overflow to find archived versions of the VWDOrVs2015AzurePack.exe installer.
While it's no longer at the forefront of Azure development, the 2.9.6 SDK remains a vital ghost in the machine for those keeping older cloud infrastructure alive. , or are you trying to a system to a more modern Azure environment?
If you want, I can: