Team Foundation Server 2015 Product Key and VLSC Availability

Post updated Aug 19, 2015 to reflect VLSC availability.
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Since Team Foundation Server 2015 RTM was released last week, we’ve already seen a lot of people upgrade and start taking advantage of the new capabilities. We have also received several questions about where to find a product key. The answer depends on the channel you are acquiring the software from.

  • MSDN Subscribers should download and install the TFS 2015 RTM bits from MSDN Subscriber Downloads. These bits are pre-keyed, meaning that the product key is automatically populated during setup and the user will not be prompted for a key.
  • For customers who have installed TFS 2015 trial (which is the SKU you get if you download from VisualStudio.com) you will need a product key when you are ready to convert it to a full installation. For now you can either get this on the physical TFS retail media, or via MSDN Subscriber Downloads (see screenshot below).
  • Volume License Subscribers can now download bits on VLSC. These bits are also pre-keyed, meaning that if you download and install from VLSC you shouldn’t be prompted for a key. If you are a VL subscriber upgrading from trial you will also find a product key listed as part of the download description (see the second screenshot below).

MSDN:

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VLSC:
8-19-2015 8-52-51 AM

As a final note, if you are find yourself with an expired TFS Trial while you are in the process of purchasing the product you can temporarily extend your trial period by following this guidance.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    August 12, 2015
    Thanks for the follow up post.  Let's me relax a bit now I know I can get a key before trial expires again.

  • Anonymous
    August 18, 2015
    As a consultant, I often perform TFS installations/upgrades for clients.  Am I permitted (with regards to licensing and the pre-populated key) to install a TFS instance for other organizations using my own MSDN downloaded TFS media? All users at these other organizations would be licensed via their own MSDN accounts.  It often would allow me to move forward more quickly without requiring the client to download the same media from one of their MSDN accounts.

  • Anonymous
    August 19, 2015
    Hi Dan, yes this is permitted given that you and the users have the appropriate licenses. Thanks for asking.

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2015
    Any timeline on when we will see a VS 2015 ALM Virtual Machine? They are great for demo and experimentation purposes. Is upgrading the 2013 version supported and seamless? Thanks.

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2015
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2015
    Thanks for the quick reply, Brian! I normally come here to grab it, so if you have an updated link, that would be most appreciated. Or, just continue to announce here :-)

  • Anonymous
    August 25, 2015
    Yep, I'll continue to announce it here. :-)