How to detect that C# Windows Forms code is executed within Visual Studio?
Try Debugger.IsAttached or DesignMode property or get ProcessName or a combination, as appropriate
Debugger.IsAttached // or
LicenseUsageMode.Designtime // or
System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().ProcessName
Here is a sample
public static class DesignTimeHelper {
public static bool IsInDesignMode {
get {
bool isInDesignMode = LicenseManager.UsageMode == LicenseUsageMode.Designtime || Debugger.IsAttached == true;
if (!isInDesignMode) {
using (var process = Process.GetCurrentProcess()) {
return process.ProcessName.ToLowerInvariant().Contains("devenv");
}
}
return isInDesignMode;
}
}
}
The DesignMode property isn't always accurate. We have had use this method so that it works consistently:
protected new bool DesignMode
{
get
{
if (base.DesignMode)
return true;
return LicenseManager.UsageMode == LicenseUsageMode.Designtime;
}
}
The context of your call is important. We've had DesignMode return false in the IDE if running in an event under certain circumstances.