VS2012 return to a normal TFS checkin window?

VS2012 seems to remove the popup window for TFS check-ins that was in VS2010. It now seems to take over the team explorer tab in my sidebar, and buries the important things - like which files I've changed. Is there any way to return to a normal popup window for check-ins in VS2012?

Solution 1:

For me, the best solution is based on iSid's answer: to add an external tool that pops up the old dialog. You can do this from Visual Studio: TOOLS -> External Tools… -> Add, with the following values:

Title: Checkin (or any name that should be displayed in the menu)
Command: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0\Common7\IDE\TF.exe (this is the default VS install location on Windows x64)
Arguments: checkin
Initial directory: $(SolutionDir)

Here is a screenshot:
External Tools Dialog

You can invoke from TOOLS -> Checkin (or even assign a keyboard shortcut to Tools.ExternalCommand* as described here) and enjoy the old goodies with a new style:
Checkin Dialog

Note that this won't work if a solution is not opened, because of the $(SolutionDir) variable. To workaround this, you can hard-code the path to your workspace instead.

Additionally, tf.exe can be invoked with 'shelve' argument, which will show the old-style shelving dialog.

Solution 2:

Use tf checkin command from Visual Studio command prompt and you will get the same old checkin window.

Solution 3:

While the Pending Changes window is merged within the Team Explorer, the Solution Explorer allows filtering by what is pending to be checked in. In addition Open Files filter could also be applied. When the Pending Changes filter is applied, all or some of the files could be selected and right clicked and then there is an option to do the check in. That command takes directly to the Team Explorer in Pending Changes view. See below...

Solution Explorer - Pending Changes Filter

Solution 4:

Another method is to use the Productivity Power Tools. This extension adds Windows shell integration so you can perform most of your TFS commands directly from within Windows without even having Visual Studio open. The Power Tools uses the old style windows when used from within Windows shell.

Solution 5:

I think the easiest solution is just docking the Team Explorer tab as tabbed document (using the right-click menu). That way it will be equivalent to the popup dialog.

Right-click the tab and select