How To Re-add An Extension To The VSCode Sidebar/Activity Bar

Question

I accidentally removed the MongoDB extension from my sidebar/activity bar in VSCode while adjusting my layout. When I initially installed the extension, It automatically put a MongoDB icon on the sidebar which was convenient.

I tried restarting VSCode, dragging and dropping from the extensions panel, reinstalling the extension, going through all VSCode settings, googling, and SO'ing, but I couldn't find any solution.

If there's no answer, I might just have to try uninstalling VSCode and reinstalling everything again.

Answer 1

To add an icon that was available from an extension, you can follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on of the icons on the sidebar/activity bar.
2. Recheck whichever icon you're missing.
3. The icon should appear.

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If you want to reset all of your icons, then follow the steps below.

1. Click Ctrl + Shift + P.
2. Search for View: Reset View Locations
3. All of your icons should be reset to default.

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You can also hide icons a similar way.

1. Right click on the icon you want to remove.
2. Check the Hide checkbox.
3. The icon should disappear.

Answer 2

In general, if you have moved views around and get messed up, try the

View: Reset View Locations command from the Command Palette.

It will reset all your views but you will have at least refound or relocated any missing views.

Also, if you can't find a view it was probably inside another view - not just in a view container like the Side Bar or Panel at the top level, but within one of the other views within one of the main view containers.