Without installing Visual Studio can I use Team Explorer or TFS power tools to check-in/check-out files through windows explorer?

Question

We need to allow users to check-out check-in files in Windows Explorer.

Is it mandatory to install Visual Studio in order to use Team Explorer or TFS Power Tools?

What kind of licenses will be needed?

Answer 1

yes there is a way you can install team explorer which doesn’t require any kind visual studio license.

Check this:  https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/devops/2017/04/05/reintroducing-the-team-explorer-standalone-installer/

 Through this, you can install the tfs power tools to get windows explorer that allows source control operations. 

Note: if you are using azure-devops then you will get 5 users for free. On-premise tfs you still need to pay.