Install VS Code for SQL on Windows (step by step)

VS Code is where you will write your SQL files. Two boxes in the installer matter, and only two extensions to add. No AI extensions yet.

Jo video mein bola, yahan nukte mein likha hai.
What I said in the video, written here as key points.

▶ Watch the video

Open in Present mode · Setup overview · Try the playground

Windows › Manual › VS Code

Install VS Code

📝

VS Codea free code editor

📄

.sql fileswhere your queries live

Yahan hum apni queries likhenge. This is where we write our queries.

VS Code is a free editor. We use it to write and save SQL files. There is a small notice: no AI extensions yet. Do not install Copilot or any AI autocomplete now. You learn faster when you type every query yourself. AI comes back later, in its own session.

Step 1

Download VS Code

code.visualstudio.com

Click the Download for Windows button.

Free hai, official site se. It is free. Get it from the official site.

Open code.visualstudio.com and click Download for Windows. Open the downloaded installer from your Downloads folder.

Step 2

Two boxes that matter

Setup - Microsoft Visual Studio Code: Select Additional Tasks

✓Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer file context menuhandy

✓Register Code as an editor for supported file typestick this

✓Add to PATH (requires shell restart)must tick

BackNext

PATH wala tick zaroor karo. Do not miss the PATH tick.

Accept the agreement and keep the default folder. On Select Additional Tasks, make sure these are ticked: Register Code as an editor for supported file types and Add to PATH. The PATH one is the most important, because it lets the code command work in your terminal. Click Next, then Install, then Finish.

Step 3

Check code works

Command Prompt– □ ×

C:\> code --version 1.x.x (a version number, then a commit id, then x64 or arm64)

A version number means it worked.

Open a new Command Prompt (a new window matters, because PATH changes only show up in windows opened after the install) and type:

code --version

You should see a version number. If Windows says code is not recognized, run the VS Code installer again and make sure Add to PATH is ticked.

Step 4

Two extensions, no more

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SQLToolsSQL query runner

SQLTools PostgreSQLPostgreSQL driver

Extensions icon, or press Ctrl + Shift + X. Install only these two.

Open VS Code, click the Extensions icon on the left (or press Ctrl + Shift + X), search for and install: SQLTools and SQLTools PostgreSQL. Nothing else. No Copilot, no AI autocomplete, not yet.

If something goes wrong

Common problems

`code` is not recognized	Reinstall VS Code and tick Add to PATH. Open a new Command Prompt.
Installer says the app is running	Close VS Code fully, then run the installer again.
Extension will not install	Check your internet connection and try again.

Tell me exactly what the screen says. Ghabrana nahi.

code is not recognized: reinstall VS Code and tick Add to PATH, then open a new Command Prompt.
Installer says the app is running: close VS Code fully, then run the installer again.
Extension will not install: check your internet connection and try again.

Your turn

Which extensions did you install?

sql.theshiraverse.com

Tell me in the comments. Milte hain agli video mein. Next: install Git.

Free SQL course and the Setup page, which maps every step. Join the WhatsApp Community, the Channel or Discord.