Running get_file... runs forever!

[TroyCoderBoy]

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Sorry guys but another problem to add to the list of thousands of problems with this product.
This has been running aimlessly for half an hour. Not an isolated incident. Clicking the red X to cancel the co-pilot request does not work and I have to restart VS.

Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 (64-bit) - Current
Version 17.14.7

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[TroyCoderBoy]

Also when Copilot does a "Running file_search..." it sometimes search's forever. Pressing cancel in Copilot doesn't stop it! Why are these kinds of stupid bugs happening? Isn't one of the first rules of coding to implement a time-out!!?? I am using Visual Studio 2022 Version 17.14.13 (August 2025)

[nauseum]

i have posted this in other similar threads, jsut use the coding tools in their native interfaces and copy paste, less frustrating, faster and none of the copilot bugs like.. also none of the pointless subscription fees for a broken product.

[TroyCoderBoy]

Anecdotally it seems to happen more often when using the Gemini 2.5 model.

[matthewfender]

This is happening to me ironically since upgrading to 17.14.13 (since when I search for this issue there is a claim it was fixed in this release). Totally unusable for me today and of course still charging for these fruitless attempts. Love it when it works but still so many silly bugs.
Any workarounds? Killing and restarting or just starting a fresh chat (not ideal) seemed to work for a prompt or two but not any more - I'm either getting a time out on get/search files or a "request could not be completed" error.

[daglaroglou]

it happens on preview models. if its a really new addition, it may cant handle files yet. give it some time.

[Gilesey]

I've just had this happen now - including the cancel button not doing anything. here's the dump. My prompt did include an absolute path to a cpp file, not sure if that's what's thrown it. Replaced my product name with xxx
Visual studio 17.14.13

[CopilotExclusionService Error] Failed to get the excluded files. All 138 file(s) in the request will be excluded. Exception: System.InvalidOperationException: An absolute path was expected, but the provided path is not rooted.
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.Core.Paths.PathValidation.ValidateAbsolutePath(String path)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.CopilotExclusion.DomainMapper.GetPathForMapping(PathType pathType, AbstractRepoFileSystem fs, String path)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.CopilotExclusion.DomainMapper.<MapFilePathsToRuleDomainsAsync>d__5.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Sources.ManualResetValueTaskSourceCore`1.GetResult(Int16 token)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.CopilotExclusionService.<>c__DisplayClass23_1.<<GetExcludedFilesAsync>b__0>d.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.CopilotExclusionService.<>c__DisplayClass23_1.<<GetExcludedFilesAsync>b__0>d.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Threading.ThreadingTools.<WithCancellationSlow>d__9.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.Copilot.CopilotExclusionService.<GetExcludedFilesAsync>d__23.MoveNext()
[CopilotExclusionService Error] The requested paths were: c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxValidator\xxxValidator.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\xxx.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\xxxAPI\xxxAPI.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxAbt\xxxAbt.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\xxxBAL.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBUI\xxxBUI.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxCUI\xxxCUI.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxCmn\xxxCmn.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxFileDlg\xxxFileDlg.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\xxxLib.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLog\xxxLog.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxRes\xxxRes.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxSpell\xxxSpell.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxZlib\xxxZlib.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\Mrodbc.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxIntegrator\xxxIntegrator.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxQuery\xxxQuery.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxChk\xxxChk.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxImp\xxxImp.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxSch\xxxSch.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxModelPublisher\xxxModelPublisher.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\ActNET\ActNET.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\xxxAPI_Interface\xxxAPI_Interface.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\xxxAPI_Activation\xxxAPI_Activation.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Licensing\LicenceClient\LicenceClient.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxxExt\xxxExt.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\APIBackEnd\Regression.Addin.Tests\Regression.Addin.Tests.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxModelPublisherProxy\xxxModelPublisherProxy.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManager.Common\RepositoryManager.Common.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\xxxCvtFn1500\xxxCvtFn1500.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManager.Server\RepositoryManager.Server.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManager.UI\RepositoryManager.UI.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\Salamander.Conversions\Salamander.Conversions.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\Salamander.Converter1500\Salamander.Converter1500.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManagerTestProject\RepositoryManagerTestProject.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Installations\LicenceToolkit\LicenceToolkit.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Hunspell\win_api\libhunspell.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\Salamander.Interop\Salamander.Interop.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Extra\xxxLibDemo\xxxLibDemo.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\MRIDL\MRIDL.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Licensing\LicenceServer\LicenceServer.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\RunTests\RunTests.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\CPPTests\CppTests.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\cSharpDotNet\cSharpDotNet.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Extra\CodeCounter\CodeCounter.vcxproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManager.CommandLine\RepositoryManager.CommandLine.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Salamander.Common\Salamander.Common.csproj, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxParser\xxxParser.vcxproj, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ResponsivePageExplorerListWnd.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ResponsivePageExplorerCtrl.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\PopupWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\UIMonitor.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\DockSiteBase.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\UIWindow.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\DockSiteBase.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ResponsivePageExplorerListWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\DockSitePopupWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ExplorerTree.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\UIMonitor.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\Dockable.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\DockSiteDialog.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\ActNET\TestViewActivator.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\xxxAPI\MModel.cpp, ..\Common\xxxLib\DockSiteBase.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\DockSitePanel.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Diagram\DiagramBase.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Diagram\SymbolAnimation.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Diagram\WebContentHelper.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Diagram\MatrixSym.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\ToolboxWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\DocumentSwitcher.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\DockSitePopupWnd.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\xxxFrameWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ResponsivePageExplorerCtrl.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ElementIconListCtrl.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\UIWindow.cpp, C:\VS2022\IDE\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\atlmfc\include\afxwin2.inl, C:\VS2022\IDE\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\atlmfc\include\afxwin1.inl, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\UICapture.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\cSharpDotNet\DataCreation.cs, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxParser\DeleteUtils.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\cSharpDotNet\CoverageTests.cs, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxParser\DisplayUtils.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\CPPTests\RightsTests.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxParser\DisplayUtils.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ElementIconListCtrl.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\PostAction.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\RepositoryManager.Common\Scripts\CreateRepository.SQL, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\RepositoryManager\Salamander.Converter1500\UpgradeRepository.xml, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BTheme.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BElement.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BEpoch.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BDragDropManagerElementIntoGroup.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\ScrollListWnd.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\ScrollListWnd.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\Element.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\FavouritesCtrl.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\MatrixExplorerCtrl.cpp, C:\VS2022\IDE\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\atlmfc\src\mfc\thrdcore.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\xxxRep.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BElement.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\Welcome\StartPageCtrl.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\AliasDefWnd\AliasDefWnd.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\TestCmdState.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\xxxMenu.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\xxxBUIIcons.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\xxxExt\SatExplorerItems.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\RectX.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BAncillary.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BElementRelationship.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\StyleGalleryCtrl.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BAliasDefField.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BMatrix.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BMeasureThreshold.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BModelMaster.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BQuery.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BStyle.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\ElementRightsRules.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxCmn\xxxLicence.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\CPPTests\UpgradeTests.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\PrimaryElement.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\cSharpDotNet\Test_CoreSymbol.cs, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Com Interface\xxxAPI_Interface\xxxAPITypes.h, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ExplorerCategoryItem.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBUI\BUIImageList.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxBAL\BResponsivePage.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\Diagram\ElementNodeSym.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\EnumResponsivePage.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\ExplorerLocation.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\ResponsivePage.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\DisconnectEvent.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\Query.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Adapters\Amodbc\Requirement.cpp, C:\VS2022\IDE\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\atlmfc\src\mfc\objcore.cpp, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Tests\CPPTests\DeploymentTests.cpp, C:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\ToolboxWnd\ExplorerLocation.h, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Sydney\xxx\xxx.vcxproj.filters, c:\code\trunk\C++\xxx\Code\Common\xxxLib\xxxLib.vcxproj.filters
[CopilotExclusionService Error] Failed to get the excluded files. All 138 file(s) in the request will be excluded. Repeated Exception type: System.InvalidOperationException
[Conversations Information] [CopilotCompletions] Environment variable COPILOT_USE_DEFAULTPROXY found: False
[Conversations Information] Copilot auth status: OK. Copilot badge status: Active
[Conversations Information] Copilot auth status: OK. Copilot badge status: Active

[Gilesey]

Note: by changing to GPT-4.1 it worked fine and not GPT5 (non preview)

[dmitry-gr]

I had same error on Claude Sonnet 4.5 but GPT5 worked

[JoeMayo]

In case it helps anyone, here's my current work-around:

1. As soon as I observe it having several errors, I click the Cancel button.
2. Then I prompt something like this:

"It looks like you're looping on errors associated with 'run get_file'. Please retry/continue and try to work around the problem."

3. It might have a few errors but somehow tries a different strategy that eventually works.

[shushu789]

I have the same problem, but I don't have this problem in VS Code. I keep getting these errors in Visual Studio 2022/2026. To be honest, the experience of using Copilot in Visual Studio is very poor. As a result, I often need to open a VS Code in my development process so that I can use Copilot normally.