How to add reference to System.Web.Optimization for MVC-3-converted-to-4 app

In my case it was a tfs issue, since tfs exclude binaries, so the Nugget PM find the nugget installed and don't update the library If you have similar issue :

  • Go to source control
  • Navigate to the ..\packages\Microsoft.Web.Optimization
  • Add lib folder (uncheck the exclude binary extensions)
  • Update your solution and add the dll reference from the path

NB : the package folder is in the same level of yousolution.sln file


Update
Version 1.1.x is available, read the release notes: https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization


The Microsoft.Web.Optimization package is now obsolete. With ASP.NET (MVC) 4 and higher you should install the Microsoft ASP.NET Web Optimization Framework:

  • Install the package from nuget:

    Install-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization
    
  • Create and configure bundle(s) in App_Start\BundleConfig.cs:

    public class BundleConfig
    {
        public static void RegisterBundles(BundleCollection bundles) {
            bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/Scripts/jquery").Include(
                "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery-{version}.js",
                "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery.*",
                "~/Scripts/Lib/jquery/jquery-ui-{version}.js")
            );
    
            bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/Scripts/knockout").Include(
                 "~/Scripts/Lib/knockout/knockout-{version}.js",
                 "~/Scripts/Lib/knockout/knockout-deferred-updates.js")
            );
        }
    }
    
  • Call the RegisterBundles() function from Application_Start() in your global.asax.cs:

    using System.Web.Optimization;
    
    protected void Application_Start() {
         ...
         BundleConfig.RegisterBundles(BundleTable.Bundles);
         ...
    }
    
  • In your view.cshtml include the Optimization namespace and render the bundle(s):

    @using System.Web.Optimization
    
    @Scripts.Render("~/Scripts/jquery")
    @Scripts.Render("~/Scripts/knockout")
    

See http://www.asp.net/mvc/overview/performance/bundling-and-minification for more information


With the final released version of ASP.Net MVC 4 the approach is as follows:

  • Install Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization via nuget (as it is not installed by the framework)

    install-package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization
    
  • Create the bundle in Global.asax Application_Start:

    var scripts = new ScriptBundle("~/MyBundle");
    scripts.IncludeDirectory("~/Scripts/MyDirectory", "*.js");
    BundleTable.Bundles.Add(scripts);
    
  • Add the "System.Web.Optimization" namespace to the "Views" web.config:

     <pages pageBaseType="System.Web.Mvc.WebViewPage">
        <namespaces>
            <add namespace="System.Web.Optimization" />
        </namespaces>
    </pages>
    
  • In your view.cshtml add an include to the bundle created in the last step:

    @Scripts.Render("~/MyBundle")
    

In debug mode, all script files in your directory will render individually; in release mode they will be bundled and minified.


Update (reinstall) the package from nuget, you can use the command:

update-Package Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization -reinstall