Add or link to an existing item

You can use the following procedures to add XAML files, code files, XML files, DLL files, and any asset files such as images, audio clips, video clips, 3D objects, and so on.

To add an existing item

1. On the Project menu, click Add Existing Item.

2. In the Add Existing Item dialog box, browse to the location of the item that you want to add to the current project, select that item, and then click Open. A copy of the item will be added to your project folder and will appear in the Projects panel within the current project.

To add an existing item using drag and drop

• From Windows Explorer or the Desktop, drag items into the Projects panel. A copy of the item will be added to your project folder and will appear in the Projects panel within the current project.

To link to an existing item

1. On the Project menu, click Link to ExistingItem.

2. In the Link to Existing Item dialog box, browse to the location of the item that you want to add to the current project, select that item, and then click Open. A reference to the item will be added to your project folder and will appear in the Projects panel within the current project. A linked item is identified by an arrow superimposed over the file icon .

To remove an item

• In the Projects panel, right-click the item that you want to remove, and then select Remove from Project.

  Note

  Using the Remove from Project option only removes the item in the Projects panel; it does not permanently delete the item from the project folder.

  Warning

  Right-clicking an item in the Projects panel and then clicking Delete will permanently remove the copy of the item from your project folder, but it won't remove any copies of that item that you may have saved elsewhere on your computer.