Azure SDK 2.5.1 fails to Publish cloudService

Question

After successfully upgrading my cloud service to the new "Azure SDK for .NET 2.5.1" I got the following error when trying packaging/publishing.

Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Packaging, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v12.0\Windows Azure Tools\2.5\Microsoft.WindowsAzure.targets

The related line in the "Microsoft.WindowsAzure.targets" config file is 2930 which obviously is related to CSPack.

<CSPack

  ServiceDefinitionFile="@(TargetServiceDefinition)"

  Output="@(PublishServicePackage)"

  PackRoles="@(Roles)"

  SiteMapping="@(SiteMapping)"

  RoleProperties="@(RoleProperties)"

  ImportedModules="@(ImportedModules)"

  CopyOnly="false"

  >

</CSPack>

So I went on to create a fresh new Azure Cloud service in a fresh new project to see if something went wrong with the upgrade. Unfortunately, the problem persists. Is there a workaround or will I have to rollback to v2.4 (that will cause me a significant amount of pain)

I am running on VS 2013 update 4.

Answer 1

Simply try to remove the Authoring Tools v2.5.1 from Programs and Features, just reinstall it using Web Platform Installer or directly using the links provided below:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/E/7/1E76DD6F-66F1-47E0-A76A-3BBAAC617316/MicrosoftAzureAuthoringTools-x64.msi

http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/E/7/1E76DD6F-66F1-47E0-A76A-3BBAAC617316/MicrosoftAzureAuthoringTools-x86.msi