How to: Upgrade from Visual Studio Trial Edition

Trial Editions can only be used for a limited amount of time, usually 90 to 180 days. After that time period has expired, you cannot use the product again without a valid product key.

Note

Product keys can no longer be purchased directly for this release without buying a copy of the product.

To obtain a product key

• Purchase a copy of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition at a retail location. The product key is listed on the sleeve of the DVD or CD.

  —or—

• Order a copyonline at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=109919.

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 2008 Professional Edition. In Windows Vista, click Uninstall/Change. In Windows XP, click Change/Remove. This displays the Visual Studio 2008 Maintenance Mode dialog box.

4. In the Visual Studio 2008 Maintenance Mode dialog box, enter the product key in the section Upgrade to Visual Studio 2008 and then click Upgrade.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Register Express Editions

Concepts

Installation and Setup Essentials