To obtain a product key


  • Purchase a copy of Visual Studio <version> Professional Edition at a retail location. The product key is listed on the sleeve of the DVD or CD.
    —or—
    Order a Visual Studio <version> Professional Edition product key online at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=109919. The product key is sent to you in an e-mail message.

To upgrade Visual Studio Trial Edition


  1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

  2. In Windows Vista, open Control Panel and click Programs and Features. In Windows XP, open Control Panel and click Add or Remove Programs.

  3. Select Microsoft Visual Studio <version> Professional Edition. In Windows Vista, click Uninstall/Change. In Windows XP, click Change/Remove. This displays the Visual Studio <version> Maintenance Mode dialog box.

  4. In the Visual Studio <version> Maintenance Mode dialog box, enter the product key in the section Upgrade to Visual Studio <version> and then click Upgrade.