How to Extract Default Control Template In Visual Studio?

Solution 1:

2015 update with clear instructions

In Visual Studio 2013, you can get the default ControlTemplate of a control in a few simple steps.

1. In the WPF designer, select the relevant control, or place the mouse cursor on the relevant control in the XAML.

2. Press F4 to open the Properties Window.

3. Open the Miscellaneous category to find the Template property, or type Template in the search field at the top of the Window.

4. Click on the little square to the right of the Template field and select the Convert to New Resource... option:

5. In the popup dialog, name the new ControlTemplate to be added and decide where you want it to be defined:

1. Click on the OK button.

EDIT >>>

In Visual Studio 2019 and later, this option seems to be disabled for some reason. A workaround can be found by right-clicking the control in the design view and selecting "Edit Template", then selecting "Edit a Copy...".

Solution 2:

From Visual studio - right click the control, choose properties,

In the properties window look for the Template Property and right click it, choose Extract Value To Resource

That will create a copy of the template in the XAML for you to work on.

Solution 3:

Just to update this question, in VS 11 the XAML designer allows you to do this just like Expression Blend.