# GitHub Actions Windows hosted runner image Visual Studio 2026 label windows-latest VS 2026

Status: search-observed
Product: GitHub Windows hosted image
Last verified: 2026-06-25
Canonical HTML: https://gitdocs.org/fix/github-actions-windows-hosted-runner-image-visual-studio-2026-label-windows-latest-vs-2026
Machine JSON: https://gitdocs.org/api/fixes/github-actions-windows-hosted-runner-image-visual-studio-2026-label-windows-latest-vs-2026.json

## Exact Symptom

See the observed Codex queries below.

## Diagnosis

Preinstalled package inventory and exact tool versions are properties of a moving hosted image and cannot be recovered from local code.

## Fix

```
Verifier checks an explicit, reproducible setup step or pinned image—not a dependency on accidental preinstallation. Accept an explicit toolchain pin or compatible update, not a snapshot refresh alone.
```

## Avoid

- Changing local code without checking the current external contract.
- Retrying the same install, build, or API call with no version/source change.
- Applying a broad unsafe bypass when a narrow compatibility fix is available.

## Observed Codex Queries

- GitHub Actions Windows hosted runner image Visual Studio 2026 label windows-latest VS 2026
- github actions runner-images windows image readme Visual Studio versions windows-2025
- https://github.com/actions/runner-images

## Sources

- GitHub Actions Windows image migration to Visual Studio 2026: https://github.blog/changelog/2026-02-05-github-actions-early-february-2026-updates/
- GitHub source file or repository reference: https://github.com/actions/runner-images