Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions for partners in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

Partners in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) might be eligible for Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions, including access to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE, as part of their partner benefits.

These subscriptions are provided to support internal development and testing scenarios only and are governed by MAICPP program rules.

This article explains eligibility, permitted use, and important limitations that partners and support teams should review before using Visual Studio Enterprise through MAICPP.

Eligibility and availability

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions are provided as part of the developer tools and product license benefits available through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. Availability depends on the partner’s current program status and redeemed benefits, as shown in Partner Center.

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions:

  • Aren’t guaranteed entitlements
  • Might change as MAICPP benefits evolve
  • Must be actively redeemed and assigned

Partners should refer to Partner Center as the authoritative source for their current Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription availability.

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions

Visual Studio Enterprise IDE (partner offering)

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions offered through MAICPP are partner-specific editions of Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions. These subscriptions provide access to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE for eligible partner employees.

While comparable to commercial Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions, some benefits in commercial offerings might not be included.

Legacy Visual Studio Professional scenarios

Some partners might still have access to Visual Studio Professional Subscriptions as part of legacy benefits from offers that are no longer available for new purchase.

These legacy subscriptions:

  • Remain valid only through their original end date
  • Can’t be renewed
  • Depend on retained benefits as shown in Partner Center

Visual Studio Professional Subscriptions aren’t considered a current or ongoing MAICPP offering.

Internal use-only restriction

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions provided through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program are for internal use only.

Partners might use the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE to:

  • Build, test, and maintain applications for their own internal business use

Partners might not use the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE to:

  • Deliver services to customers
  • Develop, test, or maintain applications as part of customer or client projects
  • Use the software in revenue generating customer engagements

This restriction is a Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program requirement and applies regardless of how the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE is licensed or accessed.

Licensing and sign-in requirements

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions offered through MAICPP:

  • Are licensed per named user
  • Must be assigned to individual partner employees
  • Are activated through sign-in, not product keys

Users must sign in to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE using the same account that was used to activate the subscription.

The IDE periodically validates subscription status while online.

If validation fails or the benefit expires, access to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE might be restricted.

Managing Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions

Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions provided through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program are assigned to users in Partner Center.

Partner Center is the authoritative system for:

  • Redeeming MAICPP benefits
  • Assigning Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions to eligible employees
  • Managing access based on partner eligibility

Partners should use Partner Center to assign or remove access to Visual Studio Enterprise. Changes made outside of Partner Center don’t affect MAICPP provided subscriptions.

The Visual Studio Subscriptions administration portal might be visible to some partners, but it isn’t used to assign or manage Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions provided through MAICPP.

Common questions

Does sign-in licensing change how I’m allowed to use Visual Studio Enterprise?

No. Sign-in licensing affects how access is validated, not how the software might be used. Internal-use restrictions still apply.

Can I use Visual Studio Enterprise for customer work if I don’t download anything?

No. Even without downloads or product keys, Visual Studio Enterprise Subscriptions provided through MAICPP might not be used for customer or client projects.

Where can I see what I’m entitled to?

Partner Center is the system of record for Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription availability and eligibility.

Resources

See also

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