How do I install and use the ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit in my .NET 3.5 web applications?

Install the ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit

1. Download the ZIP file
   AjaxControlToolkit-Framework3.5SP1-DllOnly.zip
   from the ASP.NET AJAX Control
   Toolkit Releases page of the
   CodePlex web site.

2. Copy the contents of this zip file
   directly into the bin directory of
   your web site.

Update web.config

3. Put this in your web.config under the <controls> section:

   <?xml version="1.0"?>
   <configuration>
       ...
       <system.web>
           ...
           <pages>
               ...
               <controls>
                   ...
                   <add tagPrefix="ajaxtoolkit"
                       namespace="AjaxControlToolkit"
                       assembly="AjaxControlToolKit"/>
               </controls>
           </pages>
           ...
       </system.web>
       ...
   </configuration>
   

Setup Visual Studio

4. Right-click on the Toolbox and select “Add Tab”, and add a tab called “AJAX Control Toolkit”

5. Inside that tab, right-click on the Toolbox and select “Choose Items…”

6. When the “Choose Toolbox Items” dialog appears, click the “Browse…” button. Navigate to your project’s “bin” folder. Inside that folder, select “AjaxControlToolkit.dll” and click OK. Click OK again to close the Choose Items Dialog.

You can now use the controls in your web sites!