There are several reasons why users may need to repack Preparation.exe :

your application, you can add a new report item (e.g., using DevExpress ) by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+A and selecting "Report". Microsoft Learn Critical Support Notice April 9, 2024

This phase is not a bug; it's by design. It is how Visual Studio ensures that all extensions, packages, and project templates are properly accounted for and registered within the system. However, the process can often be perceived as a problem because, under certain conditions, it can take an exceptionally long time. Developers have reported the "Microsoft Visual Studio Preparation" step taking over an hour to complete, or even appearing to stall entirely.

Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 - Microsoft

Re-run your Visual Studio 2013 installer as an Administrator. The preparation stage should now complete in seconds rather than hours. Safer Alternatives to Third-Party Repacks

If you are deploying via command line, utilize standard silent switches (such as /quiet , /passive , or /norestart , depending on the specific repackaging tool used to create the .exe ). Sourcing Legacy Visual Studio