Database Projects error: “An error occurred trying to load the project properties window. Close the window and try again.”
I’m using Visual Studio 2008 SP1, Team Foundation Server 2008 and Database Edition GDR.
Suddenly, my desktop builds doesn’t work anymore. The issue was related to my database project (an Sql Server 2008 Database project). Trying to get database project properties window leads to that error:
An error occurred trying to load the project properties window. Close the window and try again.
Cannot evaluate the item metadata "%(FullPath)". The item meta-data "%(FullPath)" cannot be applied to the path "obj\Debug|Any CPU\MyDatabase.dbschema". Illegal characters in path. C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\Microsoft.Common.targets
If you’re trying to adjust your build configurations in Configuration Manager or to revert your solution to some older version, stop now. Your database project template is corrupted.
Reset your Visual Studio by opening a Visual Studio 2008 Command Prompt and running these commands:
devenv /setup
devenv /resetuserdata
Yes, you’ll loose all your preferences and settings. But it will fix it and you can work again on your project.
The credit for this fix should go to that msdn post (same error but occurring when trying to create a database project).