Design view not appearing in xamarin .axml - visual-studio

Why don't I have the option to switch between source and design view in this intro xamarin app?

I had opened the folder in Visual Studio rather than the solution. After opening the .sln in in solution explorer the designer appeared.

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How to show XAML designer for XAML drawing in Visual Studio 2017

In VS 2010 Professional I was able to open and edit with the designer view a XAML file without it being part of a solution (going from File-> Open File).
In VS 2017 or Blend 2017 I can open the file but it shows up only the XAML code view and no ToolBox and no designer if I try to do the same.
I would like to open and edit a XAML file (adding controls and stuff) without creating a WPF solution that contains it. I just use those XAML files as static background layout for some applications.
Is that possible or I have to use VS 2010?
Here what I see:
VS 2010
VS 2017
Set Enable XAML Designer check box under Tools -> Options -> XAML Designer -> General
Also, if using resharper: Under Resharper Options > Environment > Performance Guide > Disable XAML Designer.
Set to "Ignore"

Xamarin Blank App (Native) template missing in Visual Studio 2015

I have installed all the tools for development with Xamarin in Visual Studio 2015, but somehow I do not see Blank App (Native) template when I create new project. I am only able to use Blank Apps (Xamarin Forms) template. I have already tried to reinstall Xamarin, reinstall Visual Studio install all the Xamarin sdks separately, but still no success. Have you please any idea, how to get the template to the list?
Try this(from msdn):
In Control Panel, open Programs and Features, choose the Xamarin item,
and click Change. In the setup wizard for Xamarin that appears, click
Next and then Change. In the list of optional features to install,
expand Xamarin for Visual Studio 2015, choose will be installed on
local drive, and click Next to proceed with adding the feature.
VS 2015 caches a lot and that usually means a lot of troubles.
Close Visual Studio 2015.
After restoring Xamarin, go to C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0\VTC and type on the search box cache.bin
NOTE - You will only see those files if you set the show hidden files option.
Delete all cache.bin files.
Reopen VS2015. All your Xamarin templates will be there and they show the appropriate icon.
Visual Studio updated Xamarin Blank App option to Mobile App (Xamarin.Forms). Once you have selected the Mobile App (Xamarin.Forms) option, you can create a Blank App as you like.
I make an creating directions GIF.

is there a xaml editor for xamarin on visual studio community edition?

I am investigating xamarin forms for windows phone development and I'm trying to work with an example project from the following book:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/4/7/747DDA87-CA9F-4394-9B3F-4426BFE52BBF/Microsoft_Press_eBook_Xamarin_Preview_2_PDF.pdf
I got it to compile fine on the local machine, so far so good. When I try to open the xaml file for the app layout in the visual editor I get the following message:
I'm using visual studio community edition 2015
My question is: is there a visual editor for xaml I can use and how can I acquire it?
No, there is not. Xamarin might be working on it for a long while but they never clearly announce such a plan.
Microsoft instead offers IntelliSense if you are editing Xamarin.Forms XAML in the code editor as it once announced.

Is it possible to change icons in Visual Studio 2015?

I've downloaded VS2015 CTP6 release.
Is there any way to replace VS2015 solution explorer's icons with VS2010 ones? :(
PS: yep, I hate new UI design ideology. My fav is Win7 Crystal style.=)
Solutions from here don't work
Is it possible to change icons in Visual Studio 2012?
http://computerbeacon.net/blog/visualstudio2010iconsandt
You can change the Shortcut icon: https://visualstudioextensions.vlasovstudio.com/2015/12/02/on-changing-visual-studio-2015-icon/
If you want to customize the icon in Solution Explorer, you need to write a VS Extension.

WMAppManifest.xml Designer View Missing?

I have Vs 2010 and working on a Wp7 app. I read on an msdn page that WMAppManifest.xml has a designer view but when I click on designer view it just loads up the .xml file.
Did they remove designer view or is something wrong with my Vs?
On a side note in the WMAppManifest.xml there is a title node. What does that refer to? Is that the name that will show up on the device?
The Graphical Manifest Designer was introduce with Visual Studio 2012. It's not available in
Visual Studio 2010.
http://mobileosgeek.com/windows-phone-8-sdk-feature-graphical-manifest-designer/

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