Adding AJAX Toolkit Components to your Visual Studio ToolBox

Adding AJAX Toolkit Components to your Visual Studio ToolBox
I would prefer to categorize this post as 'AJAX' for beginners. First, let's begin with some background. In my early years of development with VS 2003, I would prefer to use components that give you control, GUI flexibility and the desired user experience.

ATLAS walked in with open hands to welcome this idea and added flexibility to create applications with the 'I like to use it' user experience. AJAX, backed by the giants, endorsed the fact that application development could be 'fun'.

Now, let's get back to business. There are mainly two ways to add the AJAX Extensions onto your development studio toolbox. You can choose as you please!

The new & simple pattern:
1] Create a tab on your toolbox > right-click > "Add Tab > name it "AJAX Extensions"
2] Browse to the location where you unpacked the AJAX toolkit (
download here) and navigate to the "SampleWebSite\Bin" directory.
3] Drag "AjaxControlToolkit.dll" onto the new tab "AJAX Extensions".
Vola, all available extensions will be automatically added to the new tab, Mission Accomplished!

The traditional pattern:
1] Create a tab on your toolbox > right-click > "Add Tab > name it "AJAX Extensions"
2] Right-click on the tab > Select 'Choose Items...' > opens a window 'Choose ToolBox Items'

3] Browse to the location where you unpacked the AJAX toolkit (download here) and navigate to the "SampleWebSite\Bin" directory.
4] Select the file "AjaxControlToolkit.dll" > say 'Open' on the browse box and Vola again! All Extensions will be automatically added to the new tab, Mission Accomplished!

Happy Coding!