---
title: "Add reference of System.Web.Optimization in MVC 4"
description: "In this article I tell you how to add reference of System.Web.Optimization in your existing application."
author: "AVADHESH PATEL"
published: 2013-01-29
updated: 2019-12-12
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1131/add-reference-of-system-web-optimization-in-mvc-4
category: "asp.net mvc"
tags: ["asp.net mvc"]
reading_time: 3 minutes
---
# Add reference of System.Web.Optimization in MVC 4
System.Web.[Optimization](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85459/what-is-conversion-rate-optimization-and-how-to-get-started) assembly required for using feature of Bundling in MVC 4. Bundling is used for managing JavaScript and CSS files. You can read more information about Bundling form below link.\
[https://www.mindstick.com/Articles/1086/bundling-and-minification-in-asp-dot-net-mvc-4](https://www.mindstick.com/Articles/1086/bundling-and-minification-in-asp-dot-net-mvc-4)\
In this article I tell you how to [add reference](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/548/how-to-add-reference-to-system-web-optimization) of System.Web.Optimization in your existing application.\
Note: When you open MVC 4 Application with “Internet Application” option than System.Web.Optimization assembly by default added in [your application](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/95487/how-do-you-troubleshoot-when-your-application-link-is-not-responding). But, if you open application with “Empty” option than “Are you missing an assembly reference?” [Error message](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/23174/error-message-the-page-you-are-requesting-cannot-be-served-because-of-the-extension-configuration) come when you use System.Web.Optimization namespace.
Step 1: Open [Package Manager](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/112022/what-are-the-advantages-of-using-a-package-manager-like-npm-or-yarn-in-javascript-development) Console from View menu, as below image (Figure 1).
##### Figure 1:
Step 2: Package Manager Console [command prompt](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/51716/how-to-make-bootable-pendrive-using-cmd-windows-command-prompt) will be display at bottom of [Visual Studio](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12378/visual-studio-for-mac-is-out-of-beta-preview-now-officially-available) as below image (Figure 2).
##### Figure 2:
Step 3: Paste below line of code in Package Manager Console prompt and press enter [button as](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/32548/do-you-ever-use-the-favorite-button-as-a-bookmark-on-twitter) below image (Figure 3).
```
Install-Package Microsoft.Web.Optimization –Pre
OR
Install-Package Microsoft.Web.Optimization
```
Figure 3:
Step 4: Wait for few minutes. When System.Web.Optimization downloaded and added in your application than [confirmation message](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/12802/show-confirmation-message-yes-or-no-in-asp-dot-net) will be display as below image (Figure 4).
##### Figure 4:
Step 5: Now, add one class in App_Start folder and give name BundleConfig as below image (Figure 5).
##### Figure 5:
Step 6: Include the Optimization namespace and give the path of JavaScript and CSS within BundleConfig class as below line of code
```
using System.Web.Optimization;
namespace AddReference
{
public class BundleConfig
{
public static void RegisterBundles(BundleCollection bundles)
{
bundles.Add(new ScriptBundle("~/Scripts/js").Include(
"~/Scripts/jQuery.1.7.1.js",
"~/Scripts/comboboo.js")
);
bundles.Add(new StyleBundle("~/Style/css").Include(
"~/Style/comboboo.css",
"~/Style/updates.css")
);
}
}
}
```
Step 7: Include the Optimization namespace and call RegisterBundles () function in Application_Start () in your global.asax.cs as below line of code.
```
using System.Web.Http;
using System.Web.Mvc;
using System.Web.Routing;
using System.Web.Optimization;
namespace AddReference
{
public class MvcApplication : System.Web.HttpApplication
{
protected void Application_Start()
{
AreaRegistration.RegisterAllAreas();
WebApiConfig.Register(GlobalConfiguration.Configuration);
FilterConfig.RegisterGlobalFilters(GlobalFilters.Filters);
RouteConfig.RegisterRoutes(RouteTable.Routes);
BundleConfig.RegisterBundles(BundleTable.Bundles);
}
}
}
```
Step 8: Include the Optimization namespace and render the bundle(s) in your view page as below line of code
```
@using System.Web.Optimization
@{
Layout = null;
}
Index
@Scripts.Render("~/Scripts/js")
@Scripts.Render("~/Style/css")
```
Note: Build and Save application and press F5 key for execution and see View Source of page and check included JavaScript and CSS file.
\
---
Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1131/add-reference-of-system-web-optimization-in-mvc-4
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