Removing all unused references from a project in Visual Studio projects

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If you have Resharper (plugin) installed, you can access a feature that allows you to analyze used references via Solution Explorer > (right click) References > Optimize References…

http://www.jetbrains.com/resharper/webhelp/Refactorings__Remove_Unused_References.html

This feature does not correctly handle:

  • Dependency injected assemblies
  • Dynamically loaded assemblies (Assembly.LoadFile)
  • Native code assemblies loaded through interop
  • ActiveX controls (COM interop)
  • Other creative ways of loading assemblies

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