1. Downloading packages to a build server

Motivation:

You have a .NET solution that uses NuGet package manager.

You have many files in the packages folder and want them to be downloaded to your build server.

Solution:

• Download Windows x86 Commandline.
• Copy nuget.exe to an folder and add the folder path to Windows PATH.
• Open Command Prompt and execute the commands below.

  cd D:\Build\Source
  nuget restore YourSolutionFileName.sln
  

2. Downloading (Restoring) packages using MSBuild

• Execute the commands below.

  "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Professional\Msbuild\Current\Bin\MSBuild.exe" "../YourSolution.sln" -restore -p:RestorePackagesConfig=true
  

3. Updating packages for a solution using VS Studio Package Manager Console

• Open Tools > NuGet Package Manager >  Package Manager Console.
• Execute the commands below.

  Update-Package

4. Reinstalling packages for a solution using VS Studio Package Manager Console

• Open Tools > NuGet Package Manager >  Package Manager Console.
• Execute the commands below.

  Update-Package –reinstall
  

5. Configuring package restore when building a project using VS Studio :

• Open Tools > NuGet Package Manager >  Package Manager Settings.

6. Reverting PackageReference project to packages.config:

• Copy and  overwrite project file from backup created by Visual Studio or from source control system.
• Delete all obj and bin files.

7. Fixing “Could not load file or assembly…” issue:

• Example issue:

  Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.IdentityModel.Tokens.Saml, Version=8.0.2.0

• Open Visual Studio > Solution > Project > References > Microsoft.IdentityModel.Tokens.Saml > Properties and identify file or assembly version, e.g. 8.1.2.0.
• Open Visual Studio > Solution > Project > web.config, search for Microsoft.IdentityModel.Tokens.Saml and modify the version for the file or assembly. Example:

  <bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-8.1.2.0" newVersion="8.1.2.0" />

• Repeat the process for all the files or assemblies.