Can I save the window layout in Visual Studio 2010/2012/2013?

Question

Yes, you can use the "Import and Export Settings Wizard" (found in the Tools menu) to export only the settings that relate to your current window layout to a file. Uncheck everything but "General Settings" > "Window Layouts", and save the file somewhere you'll be able to find it later.

Then, you can use the "Import and Export Settings Wizard" again to import that settings file, restoring all of your tool windows to their previous layout. (Note that the wizard also allows you to limit what you import from a particular settings file the same way you can limit what you export.)

I use this on my laptop, where switching back and forth between single and multiple monitor setups turns window management into a real pain. I just maintain settings files that describe each of the layouts I use most frequently, and import the one that best fits my current working environment when I need it.

Zain Naboulsi has blogged about the process here, complete with illustrative screenshots.

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Update: Praveen Sethuraman, from the VS team, points out that Visual Studio 2015 finally has the ability to save custom layouts as a built-in, first-class feature. However, I have not had a chance to test the implementation yet.

There's a nice Visual Studio plugin that lets you save and load custom window layouts: http://perspectives.codeplex.com (you can also find it in the VS gallery).

I use it because I often have to switch between a three screens layout(when my laptop is docked) and a single screen layout (laptop display only).

It's also useful because VS randomly forgets my custom layout after debugging.

Layouts-O-Rama is my take on the problem. To be found in the vs gallery here:

http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/35966ad9-430f-4ad7-9186-4394b784e36c

I am excited to let you know that with the Visual Studio "14" CTP2 release, we have added a Custom Layouts feature which enables users to save, apply and manage custom window layouts.

Details about the CTP2 release can be found here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/07/08/visual-studio-14-ctp-2-available.aspx

Save and Apply Custom IDE Layouts.
You can now save and apply custom layouts for tool windows in the IDE. The Save Window Layout and Apply Window Layout commands are under the Window Menu and you can also rename, reorder, and delete layouts from Manage Window Layouts.

We would love to hear your feedback about this feature. Please send us any feedback using the built in "Send a Smile" menu (see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zzszcehe.aspx).

Thanks!
Praveen Sethuraman
Visual Studio IDE Experience Team

In visual studio 2015/2017/2019, you can go to Window -> Save Window Layout. You can save multiple layouts. I do not think this works across devices.