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Why don't developers ever lose at poker?
Because they always have a Visual Studio Subscription up their sleeve!
Embarking on a journey into the world of software development can seem daunting, especially when faced with the vast array of tools and resources available. One such resource is the Visual Studio Subscription, a comprehensive suite of tools and services offered by Microsoft. This guide is designed to help beginner developers navigate this resource, providing a clear path towards becoming proficient with Visual Studio.
The Visual Studio Subscription is more than just an Integrated Development Environment (IDE); it's a gateway to a host of Microsoft's development and testing tools. It offers access to a range of software, Azure credits, technical training, professional support, and more. With different subscription types tailored to various needs, it caters to individual developers, small teams, larger organizations, and even IT professionals.
This guide will take you through the ins and outs of Visual Studio Subscriptions, from understanding what they are, how to choose the right one for your needs, to making the most of the benefits they offer. It also includes a troubleshooting section to help you navigate common issues, ensuring a smooth development journey.
Whether you're an individual developer starting your coding journey or part of a team looking to streamline your development process, this guide will help you leverage the power of Visual Studio Subscriptions. So, get ready to dive in and unlock your potential as a Visual Studio professional.
Important disclosure: we're proud affiliates of some tools mentioned in this guide. If you click an affiliate link and subsequently make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (you pay nothing extra). For more information, read our affiliate disclosure.
Visual Studio Subscriptions: An Overview
Visual Studio Subscriptions are a licensing program from Microsoft that provides subscribers with a comprehensive set of resources to support all phases of the development process â from design and development to testing and production. Subscribers have access to a wide range of Microsoft products, including the Visual Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment), Windows and Windows Server, SQL Server, and other Microsoft software.
Types Of Visual Studio Subscriptions
There are several types of Visual Studio Subscriptions available, each designed to meet different needs:
- Visual Studio Professional Subscription: This subscription is geared towards individual developers and small teams. It includes the professional edition of the Visual Studio IDE, access to Azure DevOps, and a set of other development and testing tools.
- Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription: This subscription is designed for larger teams and organizations. It includes the enterprise edition of the Visual Studio IDE, which has more advanced features than the professional edition. Subscribers also get access to more Azure DevOps capabilities and a larger set of development and testing tools.
- Visual Studio Test Professional Subscription: This subscription is for testers and QA (Quality Assurance) professionals. It includes access to the Visual Studio Test Professional software and Azure DevOps.
- MSDN Platforms Subscription: This subscription is for IT professionals who need access to Microsoft platforms for testing and demonstration purposes. It does not include access to the Visual Studio IDE.
Each subscription has different pricing, with options for monthly or annual billing.
Benefits Of Having A Visual Studio Subscription
Having a Visual Studio Subscription comes with several benefits:
- Access to Microsoft Software: Subscribers get access to a wide range of Microsoft software for development and testing. This includes not just the Visual Studio IDE, but also operating systems, databases, and other tools.
- Azure Credits: Subscribers receive monthly Azure credits, which can be used to explore and use Azure services.
- Training and Support: Subscribers have access to technical training from Microsoft Learn and Pluralsight, as well as professional support for any issues they encounter.
- Collaboration Tools: Subscribers get access to Azure DevOps, which provides a set of collaboration tools for managing code, work items, and builds.
- Continuous Updates: Subscribers receive continuous updates for the products included in their subscription, ensuring they always have the latest tools and features.
| Subscription Type | Intended Users |
|---|---|
| Visual Studio Professional Subscription | Individual developers or small teams |
| Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription | Larger teams and organizations |
| Visual Studio Test Professional Subscription | Testers and QA professionals |
| MSDN Platforms Subscription | IT professionals |
A Visual Studio Subscription is a valuable resource for any developer, providing a comprehensive set of tools and resources to support the development process. Whether you're an individual developer or part of a larger team, there's a Visual Studio Subscription that's right for you.
How To Get A Visual Studio Subscription
Getting a Visual Studio Subscription is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Visit the Visual Studio Subscriptions page: Start by visiting the Visual Studio Subscriptions page on the Microsoft website.
- Choose a subscription: On the subscriptions page, you'll see a list of the available Visual Studio Subscriptions. Each subscription is listed with its price and a brief overview of its features.
- Select a subscription: Click on the subscription that you're interested in to get more information. You'll be taken to a page with detailed information about the subscription, including the full list of included software and services.
- Click 'Buy': If you decide that the subscription is right for you, click the 'Buy' button. You'll be taken to the Microsoft Store.
- Complete the purchase: In the Microsoft Store, you'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don't have an account, you'll have the option to create one. Once you're signed in, you can complete the purchase by providing your payment information.
- Access your subscription: After your purchase is complete, you can access your subscription by signing in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal. From there, you can download the Visual Studio IDE and any other software included in your subscription.
Choosing The Right Subscription
Choosing the right subscription depends on your needs as a developer:
- Visual Studio Professional Subscription: This subscription is a good choice for individual developers or small teams who need a comprehensive set of development tools but don't require the advanced features of the enterprise edition.
- Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription: This subscription is best for larger teams and organizations that need advanced development and testing tools. It's also a good choice for developers who need to work with a wide range of Microsoft software and services.
- Visual Studio Test Professional Subscription: This subscription is ideal for testers and QA professionals who need to collaborate with developers and participate in the development process.
- MSDN Platforms Subscription: This subscription is best for IT professionals who need to test and demonstrate software on a variety of Microsoft platforms.
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Remember, you can always upgrade or change your subscription later if your needs change. The most important thing is to choose a subscription that fits your current needs and budget.
Taking Advantage Of Your Subscription Benefits
A Visual Studio Subscription comes packed with a variety of benefits that can significantly enhance your development experience. Here's an in-depth look at some of these perks and how you can take full advantage of them:
Access To Microsoft Software
As a Visual Studio subscriber, you have access to a wide range of Microsoft software for development and testing. This includes not just the Visual Studio IDE, but also operating systems, databases, and other tools. To access these:
- Sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal.
- Click on 'Downloads'. Here, you'll find a list of all the software you can download.
- Click on the software you're interested in to get more information and download it.
Azure Credits
Subscribers receive monthly Azure credits, which can be used to explore and use Azure services. To use your Azure credits:
- Sign in to the Azure portal with the same Microsoft account that you used for your Visual Studio Subscription.
- In the Azure portal, you can create and manage Azure resources. The cost of these resources will be deducted from your Azure credits.
Remember, Azure credits expire at the end of each month, so make sure to use them!
Training And Support
Visual Studio subscribers have access to technical training from Microsoft Learn and Pluralsight. To access these resources:
- Sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal.
- Click on 'Benefits'. Here, you'll find a list of all the benefits you can access.
- Look for 'Microsoft Learn' and 'Pluralsight' in the list of benefits. Click on each one to access the training resources.
In addition to training, subscribers also have access to professional support for any issues they encounter. You can access support by clicking on 'Support' in the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal.
Collaboration Tools
Visual Studio subscribers get access to Azure DevOps, which provides a set of collaboration tools for managing code, work items, and builds. To access Azure DevOps:
- Sign in to Azure DevOps with the same Microsoft account that you used for your Visual Studio Subscription.
- In Azure DevOps, you can create a new project and start using the collaboration tools.
Remember, taking full advantage of your subscription benefits can greatly enhance your development experience and help you become a more effective and efficient developer. So, start exploring these benefits today!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: I'm having trouble installing Visual Studio.
Solution: Make sure your computer meets the system requirements for Visual Studio. If it does, try downloading the installer again in case the first download was corrupted. If you're still having trouble, try running the installer as an administrator.
Issue: Visual Studio is running slowly or crashing.
Solution: There could be several reasons for this. Try closing other programs to free up system resources. If that doesn't help, try resetting Visual Studio settings to their default values. You can do this by going to Tools > Import and Export Settings > Reset all settings. If you're still experiencing issues, it could be due to an extension. Try running Visual Studio in Safe Mode to see if an extension is causing the problem.
Issue: I'm getting an error message when I try to use a certain feature in Visual Studio.
Solution: The solution depends on the error message. Try searching for the error message online to find possible solutions. If you can't find a solution, contact Visual Studio support.
Issue: I can't access certain subscription benefits.
Solution: Make sure your subscription is active and hasn't expired. If it's active, try signing out and signing back in. If you're still having trouble, contact Visual Studio support.
Issue: I'm having trouble with Azure DevOps.
Solution: Azure DevOps has its own set of troubleshooting steps. Start by checking the Azure DevOps documentation for solutions to common problems. If you can't find a solution, contact Azure DevOps support.
Remember, if you're having a problem that's not covered here, don't hesitate to contact Visual Studio support. They're there to help you get the most out of your subscription.
Issue: I can't sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions portal.
Solution: Make sure you're using the same Microsoft account that you used to purchase your subscription. If you're still having trouble, try resetting your password.
Happy coding!đ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Visual Studio Subscription on multiple computers?
Yes, you can use your Visual Studio Subscription on multiple computers. However, the subscription is per-user, so it should only be used by the subscriber.
What happens when my Visual Studio Subscription expires?
When your subscription expires, you lose access to the Visual Studio IDE and other subscription benefits. However, you can still use any software that you've already installed for as long as you like, as long as you're using it for development and testing purposes.
Can I share my Visual Studio Subscription with others?
No, Visual Studio Subscriptions are per-user and cannot be shared. Each user should have their own subscription.
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FAQs
How do I activate Visual Studio Professional subscription? âș
- Enter the email address that requires access to the Visual Studio subscription and click "Continue"
- Depending on the email address, you may get: ...
- Enter your password, or complete sign in requirements.
- Upon successful sign in, an "Activate Your Visual Studio Subscription" window will appear.
This annual subscription includes Visual Studio 2022, access to core Microsoft software, monthly Azure credits and discounted pricing, collaboration services, technical training, professional support, and more to design, build, and deploy apps for any platform.
What are the disadvantages of Visual Studio? âșPros and Cons
"The only con to Visual studio is its User interface as it becomes very boring to code on an interface which has no plugins and drag and drops options."
Visual Studio subscriptions with GitHub Enterprise is an all-in-one subscription offering that provides developers with everything they need to speed up development, promote collaboration anywhere, and innovate on any platform, including the Microsoft stackâall while maximizing security and compliance.
Can you use Visual Studio Professional for free? âșA fully-featured, extensible, free IDE for creating modern applications for Android, iOS, Windows, as well as web applications and cloud services.
Why do I need MSDN subscription? âșVisual Studio Standard subscriptions (formerly MSDN Subscriptions) allow development team members to install and use software to design, develop, test, evaluate, and demonstrate other software. Visual Studio software is not licensed for production environments. Visual Studio with MSDN are licensed on a per- user basis.
What does MSDN stand for? âșMicrosoft Developer Network (MSDN) has been the division of Microsoft responsible for managing the firm's relationship with developers and testers, such as hardware developers interested in the operating system (OS), and software developers developing on the various OS platforms or using the API or scripting languages ...
Can I use MSDN license at home? âșThe licensed user can install and use the software on any number of devices. The software can be installed and used on your devices at work, at home, at school, and even on devices at a customer's office or on dedicated hardware hosted by a 3rd party. Most MSDN software can also be run in Microsoft Azure VMs.
What is the difference between Visual Studio and Visual Studio? âșBut that's a story for another day. âVisual Studioâ and âVisual Studio Codeâ are not the same thing. Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) and Visual Studio Code is a rich text editor like Sublime Text and Atom.
Why Visual Studio is so popular? âșVisual Studio - A developers playground
Visual studio IDE is very powerful with a range of features and a fairly user friendly interface. It supports multiple programming languages and is a must have tool for developers who require a robust development environment.
Do companies use Visual Studio? âș
1676 companies reportedly use Visual Studio in their tech stacks, including Accenture, Alibaba Travels, and Intuit.
How long is Visual Studio subscription? âșFor example, you may have a 12-month Visual Studio subscription, while many of the partner-provided benefits may last for a shorter term, such as three or six months. Any support available for those benefits or offers is also provided by the partners. Some benefits renew when your Visual Studio subscription is renewed.
How much does Visual Studio Enterprise subscription cost? âșMSDN Visual Studio Enterprise
A standard Visual Studio Enterprise subscription with MSDN costs $5,999 for the first year and $2,569 annually for renewals. VL customers get a discount, of course. An annual cloud subscription (with non-perpetual license) is a flat $2,999 per year.
(Visual Studio Community doesn't require you to sign-in. However, if the installation prompts you to sign-in periodically, sign in to continue using Visual Studio Community without interruptions.) To continue using Visual Studio after a trial period ends, unlock it with an online subscription or a product key.
Which version of Visual Studio is best for beginners? âșVisual Studio Code is the best choice for web development. It offers incredible support with thousands of tools and extensions willing to work in your favour.
Is Visual Basic for beginners? âșVisual Basic is an object-oriented programming language and a programming environment. It offers a graphical user interface (GUI) for an easy user experience. This user-friendly GUI makes the language an excellent choice for beginners.
Is Visual Studio code good for beginners? âșWhile marketing primarily to professional programmers, VS Code is an excellent editor for students and other learner just getting started with HTML and CSS. This course focuses mainly on those students and learners who in the beginner to intermediate stages of learning to code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
What is better than VS Code? âșAtom, Visual Studio, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and WebStorm are the most popular alternatives and competitors to Visual Studio Code. Everyone errors. Make sure your application doesn't. Everyone errors.
How much does it cost an individual to obtain and use Visual Studio Code? âșFree. Built on open source. Runs everywhere. By using VS Code, you agree to its license and privacy statement.
What is the difference between Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code? âșVisual Studio is a suite of component-based software development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications. On the other hand, Visual Studio Code is detailed as "Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft". Build and debug modern web and cloud applications.
How much is MSDN subscription per year? âș
The $200 MSDN Library subscription provides basic technical resources, such as documentation and code samples. The next subscription, MSDN Operating Systems, will cost $700 a year and will offer all Microsoft's OSs, Software Development Kits (SDKs), and Device Driver Kits (DDKs).
How long is MSDN subscription valid? âșMost MSDN subscriptions are a perpetual license. When the subscritions expire, you still have the legal right to use everything that was included in it. However, this might not be the case for some volume license subscriptions, so you'll want to check out your specific subscrition to be sure.
What happens if I don't pay Microsoft subscription? âșAdmins and users no longer have access to the services or Microsoft 365 apps that came with the subscription. All customer dataâfrom user data to documents and emailâis permanently deleted and is unrecoverable.
Does MSDN include office? âșVisual Studio Enterprise when bought as an annual subscription comes with the full MSDN benefits including an Office 365 Developer subscription (up to 25 users), Azure credit and access to software. See this comparison for details. By the way, you can create for free a 5 user one year Office 365 developer tenant.
Is MSDN library free? âșMicrosoft Download Manager is free and available for download now. The MSDNÂź Library is an essential resource of information for developers using MicrosoftÂź tools, products, and technologies. Note: There are multiple files available for this download.
Does MSDN subscription include Azure? âșYou must have an active MSDN subscription and utilize an Org ID account associated with that subscription. You must maintain an active MSDN subscription to enjoy the MSDN Azure benefit.
What happens when MSDN subscription expires? âșIf your subscription is eligible, you'll continue to have access to your current version of the IDE but won't receive updates to future versions. To continue using the IDE after expiration, go to the product key page and download the product key before your subscription expires.
Can I use my Visual Studio license on multiple computers? âșAll MSDN subscriptions and Visual Studio Professional are licensed on a per-user basis. Each licensed user may install and use the software on any number of devices to design, develop, test, and demonstrate their programs.
Do MSDN keys expire? âșBest thing is to regard it as a lifetime subscription. Having said that, we usually make sure we claim a few extra keys before we roll over each subscription. Some work, some don't.
What is equivalent to Visual Studio? âșWe have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Visual Studio, including Xcode, Eclipse, NetBeans, and Android Studio.
Which Visual Studio version is best? âș
Visual Studio 2022 is the best Visual Studio ever. Our first 64-bit IDE makes it easier to work with even bigger projects and more complex workloads. The stuff you do every dayâlike typing code and switching branchesâfeels more fluid more responsive. And out-of-memory errors?
Which is better Visual Basic or Visual Studio? âșVisual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for writing Visual Basic and other 'Visual' branded programming languages. As a result, comparing the IDE toward the programming language isn't entirely appropriate: Visual Basic is the language you're writing in, and Visual Studio is the windows application.
What is the future of Visual Studio? âșVisual Studio 2022 will be the first 64-bit version of Visual Studio. In addition to the speed and performance advantages afforded by more memory access, Visual Studio brings UI enhancements, more personalization options, and a continued focus on empowering developers.
Why is Visual Studio so slow? âșExtensions and tool windows
You might have extensions installed that slow Visual Studio down. For help on managing extensions to improve performance, see Change extension settings to improve performance. Similarly, you might have tool windows that slow Visual Studio down.
Cons: Some workflows are not very intuitive, and need to be executed using the Command Palette. If you are migrating from another IDE like Eclipse or NetBeans, this will take some time to get used to. For example, to create a Java project, you need to open the Command Palette and type "Java: Create Java Project".
Who owns Visual Studio? âșVisual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.
Can I sell an app made with Visual Studio community? âșCAN I SELL "APPLICATIONS" DEVELOPED USING VISUAL STUDIO "COMMUNITY EDITIONS"? a. Individual License. If you are an individual working on your own applications, either to sell or for any other purpose, you may use the software to develop and test those applications.
What language is Visual Studio written in? âș How long does it take to learn Visual Studio? âșHow Long Does It Take to Learn Visual Studio? If you have some programming experience and have used at least a code editor before, you can learn Visual Studio in one to two months. This assumes that you are using Visual Studio regularly in your daily development work.
What does MSDN give you? âșThe most comprehensive set of resources for IT & Operations staff and non-. NET developers to test, deploy, and manage great applications across platforms and devices.
How do I cancel my Visual Studio subscription? âș
Select the Overview icon at the top left to display information about your subscriptions. Locate the entry for the subscriptions you wish to cancel, and select Change quantity. This will take you the Visual Studio Marketplace where you will be able to update your purchase quantity.
Which is better Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise? âșIf you need to collaborate with team members on development or debugging, then Visual Studio is the better choice. If you need to do serious code analysis or performance profiling, or debug from a snapshot, then Visual Studio Enterprise will help you.
What is the difference between Visual Studio community and professional license? âșThe Only difference between Professional Edition and Community Edition is the CodeLens feature. Using the CodeLens you can Find code changes and other histories.
Can beginners use Visual Studio? âșVisual Studio provides a first-class Git and GitHub experience. Features like authentication, cloning, and creating new repositories are built into Visual Studio making it very easy to get started with Git and GitHub.
Is Visual Studio free forever? âșNo, Community edition is free to use for many scenarios. Learn more about Visual Studio Community. In case your Community edition installation prompts you for a license, you might have to sign in to unlock the IDE.
What is required for Visual Studio? âșWindows 365: Minimum 2 vCPU and 8 GB RAM. 4 vCPU and 16 GB of RAM recommended. Hard disk space: Minimum of 850 MB up to 210 GB of available space, depending on features installed; typical installations require 20-50 GB of free space.
How do I activate my subscription? âș- First please check if you are signed in on Google Play with the account used to buy the subscription.
- Go inside application and go to the menu Help â Subscriptions .
- Press on the Restore Editor Subscription button.
- Wait for the confirmation message.
Enter the product key information available from the payment "Confirmation Page" or "Confirmation Email" and select Activate. The subscription should now be visible on the Subscriptions page and you should have access to all your subscription benefits.
Where is my Visual Studio subscription? âșYou can access the Visual Studio Subscriptions Administration Portal by connecting to https://manage.visualstudio.com and logging in with the email address that is associated with your administrator's account.
How do I activate Microsoft professional? âș- To redeem a new purchase.
- Step 1: Go to www.office.com/setup or Microsoft365.com/setup.
- Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one if you don't have one. ...
- Step 3: Enter your product key, without hyphens, if prompted.
Why is my subscription not showing up? âș
If you can't find your subscriptions, check that you're signed in to the correct account. Make sure to sign in to the Google Account that has your subscriptions. Learn how to add an account or switch accounts. The email you used with the subscription app may be different than your Google Account.
How do I see all my active subscriptions? âșLike iOS, Android gives you a menu page where you can manage all of your app subscriptions. Open the Play Store app, tap the menu button for your account, and choose Payments and subscriptions. You'll see a list of recurring purchases: Play Store apps that regularly charge you.
How do I manage my subscriptions? âșManage Subscriptions on iOS or Android
Navigate to Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions (if you don't have any, this will not appear) to view your services. Tap the service you want to cancel and select Cancel Subscription. On a Mac, you unsubscribe from Settings. Android users can do the same from Google Play.
Visual Studio Standard subscriptions (formerly MSDN Subscriptions) allow development team members to install and use software to design, develop, test, evaluate, and demonstrate other software. Visual Studio software is not licensed for production environments. Visual Studio with MSDN are licensed on a per- user basis.
How do I know if I have MSDN subscription? âșJust open my.visualstudio.com in this window and enter your email address and click Next. It will ask you to choose your subscription type, just select Personal and click to Next and pass your password which you defined at the time of creating an account. Now you can access your account.
Where can I manage my MSDN subscriptions? âșThis guide explains how you can use the MSDN Subscription Administration portal to manage and assign subscriptions and manage subscription benefits for your users. The MSDN Subscription Administration portal is located within the Subscriptions section of the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
How do I activate Microsoft without paying? âș- Go to Microsoft365.com.
- Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the "Sign in" button.
- Log in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. ...
- Select the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.
You activate Microsoft 365 by signing in with a Microsoftaccount. If we detect your Microsoft account, we'll show it on this screen. After you sign in, your product is added to your Microsoft account, so that you can reinstall it later, or manage your new subscription, without a product key.
How do I activate my Microsoft account without paying? âș- Activating your free Office suite via Microsoft. Open the Microsoft Office program of your choice. ...
- Step 1: open the Office program. ...
- Step 2: choose an account. ...
- Step 3: log in to Microsoft 365. ...
- Step 4: accept the conditions. ...
- Step 5: get started.