How do I "Add Existing Item" an entire directory structure in Visual Studio?
Enable "Show All Files" for the specific project (you might need to hit "Refresh" to see them)**.
The folders/files that are not part of your project appear slightly "lighter" in the project tree.
Right click the folders/files you want to add and click "Include In Project". It will recursively add folders/files to the project.
** These buttons are located on the mini Solution Explorer toolbar.
** Make sure you are NOT in debug mode.
Drag the files / folders from Windows Explorer into the Solution Explorer. It will add them all. Note this doesn't work if Visual Studio is in Administrator Mode, because Windows Explorer is a User Mode process.
In Solution Explorer:
- Click Show All Files (second icon from the left at the top of Solution Explorer).
- Locate the folder you want to add.
- Right-click and select "Include in Project"
I use this to install add-ons like HTML editors and third-party file browsers.