VS2008 TFS: Is it possible to change the default Check-in Action for work items?

Question

When I check in code to our Team Foundation Server, I some times (probably more often than I actually do...) should associate my check-in with a task or a bug I am working towards. When I mark a task or a check in, it sets the Check-in Action to Resolve. But almost always, I just want to have it as just Associate. The result is that I often end up marking a task as resolved by mistake. Is there a way to make Associate the default when I mark a task?

Resolving a bug or a task should be something I actively select. Like, this work item is related to my check-in AND it is now resolved. Not, this work item is related to my check-in, and btw, I still haven't fixed it completely yet...

Answer 1

TFS 2010 doesn't have UI to change the default Check-in Action for work items. I've raised a suggestion in MS Connect

However see post http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mitrik/archive/2010/12/03/how-to-make-associate-the-default-action-for-work-items.aspx

To make “Associate” the default action (instead of “Resolve”), set the registry key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0\TeamFoundation\SourceControl\Behavior\ResolveAsDefaultCheckinAction” to “False”.

Answer 2

Sadly, there is no way to make resolve and associate both available but default to associate. Therefore the safest option for you is probably to remove the check-in action altogether and remember to update the work item when you have finished associating things with it. For more information see the following blog post I wrote a while ago.

TFS Top Tip #3: Removing the Resolve Check-In Action from a Work Item