Did you know... How to show or prevent the Error List from appearing after a failed build? - #159
In the General Development Settings, the Error List will be shown (whether it is auto-hiding or just closed) whenever a build fails with errors. If you like to drive what you need to fix using just the Output window (since you can double-click on an error message in the output window and jump to that line), here’s how to prevent the Error List from appearing.
Under Tools – Options – Projects and Solutions – General, there’s the Always show Error List if build finishes with errors checkbox.