VS2010 and VS2012 “Script Documents” section never appears, and I can't debug JavaScript

Question

Tools:

Windows 7, Visual Studio 2010 and 2012, IE 9, ASP.NET 4.0, MVC4

Until a couple of days ago I had been able to debug by using the Script Documents section in the Solution Explorer. Now, the Scripts Documents section does not appear when Start Debugging (F5).

I do have IE set as the default browser.

Using "debugger;" has no effect.

Configuration is set to "Active (Debug)."

Silverlight debugging is off.

I have 'repaired' the Visual Studio 2010 inatallation.

I have no idea how to correct this frustrating situation. What have I done to displease the VS gods?

Thanks for any advice!

Arnold

Answer 1

This fixed worked for me to get the Script Documents node back:

1. In the Website Project within the Solution Explorer, right-click any 'ol .aspx page and click "Browse With..."
2. Select another browser (Chrome, Firefox) and click "Set As Default" and close the window
3. Launch your website through the debugger. When it's finished, stop the debugger.
4. Repeat steps 1 and 2, but select Internet Explorer in Step 2 as "Set As Default"
5. Repeat step 3 and it should work. This will get your javascript debugging back.

Answer 2

I originally got into the same situation when I down-graded from ie10 to ie9 to match the user community here.

Removing the meta tag made no difference for me. No surprise there.

Thanks to User1503081's suggestion, I finally resolved it by doing a Repair install of VS2012 Update 3 in my case. Would have given props to User1503081 directly but my "Reputation Points" don't add up. :-(