Question: I don't use MUCH the XAML designer, but I appreciate at some time to have the possibility to use, and more, to have the "Properties" windows present to set some properties.

But I would like that when I click on a XAML file, I get the XAML code, without the GUI part. Basically, the Xaml Designer, but not in "split" view.

Is this possible?

I found that it is possible to totally disable the XAML designer, but then:

* I don't get the possibility to just switch to this view(well with Open Width, yes)
* More important, I don't have the "Properties" windows populated with the properties of the currently selected XAML

I also found that there is a setting with a default view(Tools, Options, XAML Designer, Default Document view: SourceView), but this doesn't work(or I didn't understood), I still get the default split view, even after a VS2015 restart.

So is it possible to keep the XAML designer, but have by default only the XAML displayed?

Answer: 
Easy Way.

Go to Tools -> Options.

and follow the screen shot.
[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VPnvN.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VPnvN.png)
To open `.xaml` files in XAML-only mode, you need to change the **default editor** that `.xaml` files open with. Here's how:

1. Right click on any `.xaml` file.
2. Click on **Open with...**
3. Select **Source Code (Text) Editor**.
4. Click **Set as Default**.
5. Click **OK**.

That's it. Opening any `.xaml` file should now open in full XAML view. To get back to the designer, simply press **Shift** + **F7**, or **Right Click** -> **View Designer**.

The only drawback that I have experienced is that Intellisense doesn't seem to pick up any **resources** (i.e `DynamicResource` and `StaticResource` references) that you may have.

---

If you still want the **Designer** running in the background, use the following instructions:

1. Go to **Tools** -> **Options**.
2. Expand **Text Editor** -> **XAML** -> **Miscellaneous**.
3. Check the **Always open documents in full XAML view** checkbox.

This will open all `.xaml` documents in full XAML view, to switch back to the designer, simply click on the `Design` tab.