Which TypeScript compiler version are you using alongside with Visual Studio?

The TypeScript language is evolving rapidly, and you might want to try out the latest versions immediately they are available. TypeScript support is built-in into latest Visual Studio versions, but sometimes, it can get tricky to know which version you are using. This is especially the case if you have installed different TypeScript versions onto your computer via Visual Studio, NPM, NuGet...

Visual Studio uses integrated TypeScript compilers that are separately installed. However, there are limitations currently on which TypeScript compiler versions a particular Visual Studio version can use. Thus, you cannot (yet) freely choose, which TypeScript (tsc.exe) version is being used.

Firstly, you can check the available compiler versions from the following path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\TypeScript

This folder lists the separately (and together with Visual Studio) installed versions. Next, Visual Studio looks for the required TypeScript version from the following entry in your Visual Studio project file (.csproj):

<TypeScriptToolsVersion>1.6</TypeScriptToolsVersion>

To update the TypeScript compiler, you need to install the TypeScript language tools for your Visual Studio version. Usually, you also need to make sure your Visual Studio is updated to the latest Update Packs. These can be found from Microsoft Downloads, for example.

Hope this helps!