Install vscode extension through vsix file without CLI command

Question

I'm trying to install vscode extension vsix file by double clicking it without using CLI command as mentioned here - code --install-extension my-extension-0.0.1.vsix

The extension is not yet published and in development mode that we'd like to share for preview.

But I'm getting the following error:-

03-03-2021 13:06:46 - Microsoft VSIX Installer
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - -------------------------------------------
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - vsixinstaller.exe version:
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - 16.8.3036
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - -------------------------------------------
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - Command line parameters:
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\resources\app\ServiceHub\Services\Microsoft.VisualStudio.Setup.Service\VSIXInstaller.exe,C:\Users\jmadhu\Desktop\dev\CloudNativeTest\vscode-azureloadtest\vscode-azureloadtest-0.1.0.vsix
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - -------------------------------------------
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - Microsoft VSIX Installer
03-03-2021 13:06:46 - -------------------------------------------
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Initializing Install...
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Extension Details...
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Identifier         : vscode-azureloadtest
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Name               : Azure Load Test
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Author             : ms-azureloadtest
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Version            : 0.1.0
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Description        : Manage your Azure Cloud Native Load Tests and Resources
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Locale             : en-US
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   MoreInfoURL        : 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   InstalledByMSI     : False
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   SupportedFrameworkVersionRange : [0.0,2147483647.2147483647]
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   SignatureState     : Unsigned
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Supported Products : 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -       Microsoft.VisualStudio.Code
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -           Version : 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   References         : 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Signature Details...
03-03-2021 13:06:47 -   Extension is not signed.
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - 
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Searching for applicable products...
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Found installed product - Global Location
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - Found installed product - Visual Studio Professional 2019
03-03-2021 13:06:47 - VSIXInstaller.NoApplicableSKUsException: One or more extensions are for Visual Studio Code. Try installing them in Visual Studio Code.
   at VSIXInstaller.ExtensionService.GetInstallableDataImpl(IInstallableExtension extension, String extensionPackParentName, Boolean isRepairSupported, IStateData stateData, IEnumerable`1& skuData)
   at VSIXInstaller.ExtensionService.GetInstallableData(String vsixPath, String extensionPackParentName, Boolean isRepairSupported, IStateData stateData, IEnumerable`1& skuData)
   at VSIXInstaller.ExtensionPackService.IsExtensionPack(IStateData stateData, Boolean isRepairSupported)
   at VSIXInstaller.ExtensionPackService.ExpandExtensionPackToInstall(IStateData stateData, Boolean isRepairSupported)
   at VSIXInstaller.App.Initialize(Boolean isRepairSupported)
   at VSIXInstaller.App.Initialize()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1.InnerInvoke()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.Execute()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Telemetry.WindowsErrorReporting.WatsonReport.GetClrWatsonExceptionInfo(Exception exceptionObject)

Ques: Can we install vsix file (unpublished extension) without using CLI command? If yes, what are the possible ways?

Answer 1

You can only install via menu items,

"You can manually install a VS Code extension packaged in a .vsix file. Using the Install from VSIX command in the Extensions view command drop-down, or the Extensions: Install from VSIX command in the Command Palette, point to the .vsix file."

from https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/extension-gallery#_install-from-a-vsix

You cannot double click such files to install in Windows Explorer, because Visual Studio registers another tool (aka Microsoft VSIX Installer) there, which won't work for VSCode.