title: Error publishing master branch to GitHub from VS.NET
body: <p>I'm using VS.NET 2013 with the integrated Git tools, and attempting to publish my <code>master</code> branch to an <em>existing</em> repository I set up on GitHub. I'm using the VS.NET tools in the IDE exclusively and would like please any responses to follow using these tools <em>if possible</em> as opposed to a command line.</p>
  
  <p>All of my changes have been committed locally and I just need to publish the branch to GitHub. However, when I try and publish my local <code>master</code> branch I receive the following error:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>You cannot publish local branch master to the remote repository origin
    because a branch with the same name already exists there. You might
    want to rename your local branch and try again.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I know there is a lengthy article to this <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1221840/remote-origin-already-exists-on-git-push-to-new-repository">here</a>, but I'm trying to remedy this from VS.NET or online at GutHub directly if possible. At best I want to better understand the issue.</p>
  
  <p>I'm almost positive this issue was caused by me selecting the option <code>Initialize this repository with a README</code> selection on GitHub instead of creating a blank repositoy that my local changes could be pushed to. I think GutHub has used the same branch name already and it is causing a conflict.</p>
  
  <p>I suppose I could delete the repository on GitHub and start from scratch, but was hoping to get this ironed out either from VS.NET or GitHub. Does anyone know how I can make it so my <code>master</code> branch can be successfully published?</p>