"Unknown Error" when launching Visual Studio 2017 Community after installation

remove this folder (or similar):

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\15.0_db2a872f

  • folder name 15.0_db2a872f could be different in your machine eg. 15.0_XXXXXXX
  • found in the vs startup log that processing of Progression_NativePackage_Component_x86.pkgdef bailed out, indicating an inconsistent extension installation

I only had to rename(if you wan't to back it up)/delete the following file:

privateregistry.bin

or

privateregistry.user.bin

depending on Visual Studio version.

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\15.0_********\privateregistry.bin

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\15.0_********\privateregistry.user.bin

After restarting Visual Studio 2017 you may need to activate Tools or Extensions again.


Please check if the machine has Symantec Workspace Virtualization Agent installed. Removing the product from add\remove programs fixed the unknown error while launching VS 2017.

Here is the detail of the product. Product code: {785F9A4D-D113-43B3-AA1D-77AD777F0A2F} Package code: {32DB9767-3EF7-465A-ADF2-7ECFD25ABC12} Install date: 2015.05.21 Version: 6.4.1266 Publisher: Symantec