title: What is the difference between MSTest.TestAdapter vs MSTest.TestFramework and when do I need which one?
body: <p>What is actualy the difference between <code>MSTest.TestAdapter</code> vs <code>MSTest.TestFramework</code> and when do I need which one?</p>
  <p>In the NuGet descriptions you can read:</p>
  <p><strong>MSTest.TestAdapter</strong></p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>The adapter to discover and execute MSTest Framework based tests.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p><strong>MSTest.TestFramework</strong></p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>This is MSTest V2, the evolution of Microsoft's Test Framework. + To discover and execute tests install MSTest.TestAdapter.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <hr />
  <p>Well, not very helpful and I always install both because I'm never sure which one I should take. Strangely that in one of my test projects I only have the <code>MSTest.TestFramework</code> (I guess by accident) and ReSharper still can discover tests.</p>
  <p>My questions about these packages are:</p>
  <ul>
  <li>Do you really always need to install both of them?</li>
  <li>Why does it work even without the <code>TestAdapter</code>?</li>
  <li>What can I do with the <code>TestFramework</code>? When would I need this one?</li>
  </ul>
  <hr />
  <p>The project page on GitHub doesn't help much either. The only link</p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>You can read more about MSTest V2 <a href="https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/devops/2017/02/25/mstest-v2-now-and-ahead/" rel="noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p>navigates to a page that only says how great and open-source it is but nothing specific about either of the packages.</p>