Download the bootstrapper from the official Microsoft site. 2. Prepare the Download Layout

Copy the entire folder to an external storage drive (such as a high-capacity USB flash drive or external SSD).

Creating a allows you to download all required development workloads once and install them anywhere without an active internet connection. Why Use an Offline Installer?

Microsoft has thoughtfully provided this dual approach, acknowledging that development does not always happen on a well-connected laptop in a coffee shop. By mastering the --layout command, developers gain not just an installation file, but a verifiable, portable, and reproducible development environment. In a world of ephemeral cloud workspaces, the offline installer stands as an anchor to local control—a reminder that sometimes, the most robust solution is the one you hold on your own hard drive.

To install Visual Studio Community 2022 on a machine without internet access, you must first local layout (offline installer) on a computer that connected to the internet Microsoft Learn 1. Download the Bootstrapper Download the small setup file ( vs_community.exe ) from the official Visual Studio download page 2. Create the Local Layout Command Prompt