diff --git a/docs/join-with-visual-studio.md b/docs/join-with-visual-studio.md
index 3cfa960..d173761 100644
--- a/docs/join-with-visual-studio.md
+++ b/docs/join-with-visual-studio.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ ms.localizationpriority: high
# Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program as a Visual Studio subscriber
-If you have an eligible Visual Studio Professional standard or Visual Studio Enterprise standard subscription, you qualify for a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription that renews automatically while your eligible Visual Studio subscription remains active. When you join the program as a Visual Studio subscriber, you can set up a developer sandbox subscription that is linked to your Visual Studio subscription. It will not be subject to expiration due to inactivity (or our failure to detect activity that is not in scope for renewal monitoring).
+If you have an eligible Visual Studio Professional standard or Visual Studio Enterprise standard subscription, you qualify for a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription. For eligibility details, see [Microsoft 365 developer subscription in Visual Studio Subscriptions](/visualstudio/subscriptions/vs-m365). When you join the program as a Visual Studio subscriber, you can set up a developer sandbox subscription that is linked to your Visual Studio subscription.
> [!NOTE]
> Your Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription is for development purposes only and can be revoked if you use it for purposes other than development. For details, see the [Microsoft 365 Developer Program Terms and Conditions](terms-and-conditions.md).
@@ -15,17 +15,16 @@ If you have an eligible Visual Studio Professional standard or Visual Studio Ent
> [!NOTE]
> Visual Studio subscribers go through the same instant sandbox setup as any other qualifying Developer Program member. See [Set up a Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription](microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md).
>
-> The only difference is that you can link your subscription to Visual Studio for automatic renewal, as described below.
+> The only difference is that you can link your subscription to Visual Studio, as described below.
>
> If your sandbox has add-on commerce capability enabled, you can purchase eligible add-ons (such as Microsoft 365 Copilot) just like any other commercially enabled sandbox.
-## How do I get a renewable Microsoft 365 developer subscription?
+## How do I get a Microsoft 365 developer subscription?
> [!NOTE]
> Only Visual Studio "standard" type subscriptions are eligible.
-> You must have either a Visual Studio Professional standard or Visual Studio Enterprise standard subscription to receive an automatically renewable Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription.
+> You must have either a Visual Studio Professional standard or Visual Studio Enterprise standard subscription to receive a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription.
> Monthly Visual Studio subscriptions (such as "Professional monthly" or "Enterprise monthly") are not eligible.
->
If you don't have a Visual Studio standard Professional or Enterprise subscription and you want one, see the [Visual Studio subscription](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/pricing/) page.
@@ -38,12 +37,10 @@ You can also join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and get a Microsoft 365 de
> [!NOTE]
> If you have already set up your Microsoft 365 developer subscription, you can link it to an active Visual Studio subscription. On the subscription tile on your [Developer Program dashboard](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/profile), click **Link with your Visual Studio subscription**.
-When you link your Microsoft 365 developer subscription to Visual Studio, it will renew automatically for as long as your Visual Studio subscription is active.
-
## What is the difference between joining the program directly and joining with my Visual Studio subscription?
-When you join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program with your Visual Studio subscription, your Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription will automatically renew for the lifetime of your Visual Studio subscription.
+When you join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program with your Visual Studio subscription, your Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription is linked to your Visual Studio subscription. For details, see [Microsoft 365 developer subscription in Visual Studio Subscriptions](/visualstudio/subscriptions/vs-m365).
-If you join the developer program directly, your Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription is good for up to 90 days, depending on your development activity, and will renew regularly for as long as you use it for [qualified development activities](microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml#how-do-you-define-development-activity-).
+If you join the developer program directly, your Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription is good for up to 90 days.
-In both cases, sandbox setup, sample data, and add-on purchase capability (where enabled) are the same — see [Set up a Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription](microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md). Renewal behavior is the only difference.
+In both cases, sandbox setup, sample data, and add-on purchase capability (where enabled) are the same — see [Set up a Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription](microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md).
diff --git a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml
index 1a5edc2..b5ff637 100644
--- a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml
+++ b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ sections:
- question: |
What is the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and who should join it?
answer: |
- The Microsoft 365 Developer Program offers a development environment with Microsoft 365 E5-enabled sandboxes, free of charge, to eligible members. Qualifying program members get a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription with 25 user licenses to build and test solutions. This subscription will remain active for as long as you're actively developing and deploying solutions.
+ The Microsoft 365 Developer Program offers a development environment with Microsoft 365 E5-enabled sandboxes, free of charge, to eligible members. Qualifying program members get a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription with 25 user licenses to build and test solutions. Developer subscriptions are intended for development and testing and are short-lived by design.
Join the program to get access to the tools, documentation, training, experts, and community events that you need to build great solutions for Microsoft 365 products and technologies, including:
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ sections:
answer: |
**1. Visual Studio Subscribers**
- If you have an eligible Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise standard subscription, you qualify for a Microsoft 365 developer subscription. Microsoft employees aren't eligible due to compliance requirements, even if they have an otherwise qualifying Visual Studio subscription. Your Microsoft 365 developer subscription will renew automatically as long as your Visual Studio subscription is active and you remain eligible. To access this benefit, go to [Visual Studio | My Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits). For more information, contact [Visual Studio customer service](https://www.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/support/).
+ If you have an eligible Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise standard subscription, you qualify for a Microsoft 365 developer subscription. Microsoft employees aren't eligible due to compliance requirements, even if they have an otherwise qualifying Visual Studio subscription. For eligibility and renewal details, see [Microsoft 365 developer subscription in Visual Studio Subscriptions](https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/subscriptions/vs-m365). To access this benefit, go to [Visual Studio | My Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits). For more information, contact [Visual Studio customer service](https://www.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/support/).
For more details about joining the Microsoft 365 Developer Program with Visual Studio, see [Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program as a Visual Studio subscriber](https://learn.microsoft.com/office/developer-program/join-with-visual-studio).
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ sections:
Companies participating in the [ISV Success Program](https://learn.microsoft.com/partner-center/membership/isv-success) or eligible tiers of the [Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP)](https://www.microsoft.com/americas-partner-one/maicpp?msockid=111adc8963d469eb14c7c9c562866859) can request a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription.
- To check your eligibility, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program using your corporate email address. If you qualify, you'll see the option to request a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription. To keep your subscription active, continue using it for development purposes.
+ To check your eligibility, sign in to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program using your corporate email address. If you qualify, you'll see the option to request a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription.
Eligible MAICPP partner levels include:
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ sections:
If the billing account doesn't have an active Azure subscription, [create a Microsoft Customer Agreement subscription](/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/create-subscription) under the selected billing profile and invoice section with an Azure plan.
- After confirming the account requirements and permissions, return to sandbox setup and select the refresh icon next to the dropdown. For additional guidance, see [Billing account not appearing in the dropdown](microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md#billing-account-not-appearing-in-the-dropdown).
+ After confirming the account requirements and permissions, return to sandbox setup and select the refresh icon next to the dropdown. For additional guidance, see [Billing account not appearing in the dropdown](microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md#billing-account-not-appearing-or-account-already-exists).
- question: |
Which billing roles typically provide the permissions required for sandbox setup?
@@ -471,12 +471,12 @@ sections:
- question: |
How long is my subscription good for, and when does it expire?
answer: |
- Your subscription is good for up to 90 days, depending on your activity, and is renewable based on qualified developer activity. If you're using your subscription for development, it will be renewed regularly. You can find the expiration date, along with your subscription name, on your [Microsoft 365 Developer Program dashboard](https://aka.ms/DevProgramDashboard).
+ Your subscription is good for up to 90 days. You can find the expiration date, along with your subscription name, on your [Microsoft 365 Developer Program dashboard](https://aka.ms/DevProgramDashboard).
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Developer tenants are intended for development and testing purposes only and are short-lived by design. Microsoft may require tenants to be recreated every 90 days. Do not use a developer tenant for production workloads or long-term data storage. Always back up your data and configurations outside of the developer tenant.
- If you're joining the program with your Visual Studio standard Professional or standard Enterprise subscription, your subscription is automatically renewed until your Visual Studio subscription expires.
+ If you joined the program with your Visual Studio subscription, see [Microsoft 365 developer subscription in Visual Studio Subscriptions](https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/subscriptions/vs-m365).
@@ -488,42 +488,15 @@ sections:
- question: |
Why don't you offer a one-year subscription?
answer: |
- In April 2019, we transitioned to a new model where your subscription can be renewed periodically every 60-90 days, depending on your activity, for as long as you're actively using it for development. We believe that this model ensures that developers who are actively developing solutions have a subscription for as long as they need one. If you're developing frequently, your subscription never expires; it is automatically extended. If you qualify for a subscription and you're developing for a short time, and your subscription expires due to inactivity and is deleted, you can set up a new one.
+ If you qualify for a subscription and your subscription expires and is deleted, you can set up a new one.
Because developer tenants are intended for development and testing purposes only and are short-lived by design, Microsoft may require tenants to be recreated every 90 days. Always back up your data and configurations outside the developer tenant.
- If you prefer to have a subscription that is available for a longer time, we recommend that you get the Visual Studio standard Professional or standard Enterprise subscription. These programs include a free Microsoft 365 developer subscription that is good for the life of your Visual Studio subscription. To access this, go to [Visual Studio | My Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits). For more information, contact [Visual Studio customer service](https://www.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/support/).
-
- - question: |
- How do you determine whether a subscription can be renewed?
- answer: |
- We use a set of algorithms and telemetry that we get from your activity in the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and on your Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription to determine whether you are actively developing. We check these regularly to update your status and determine whether your subscription should be extended.
-
- - question: |
- How do you define development activity?
- answer: |
- Your activity in the Developer Program and on your developer subscription determine whether you are actively developing and whether your subscription should be extended. Qualifying activity generally includes building, testing, or validating applications and solutions using Microsoft 365 developer technologies, for example:
-
- - Application development using Microsoft Graph APIs
- - SharePoint Framework (SPFx) development
- - Teams application development and testing
- - Power Platform solution development
- - Automated testing and validation activities
-
- Artificial or non-development activity may not qualify for renewal purposes.
-
- For more information about the types of activities that we track, see the [terms of use](terms-and-conditions.md).
-
- question: |
My subscription shows an expiration date. Should I be concerned?
answer: |
Not necessarily. Developer Program subscriptions are evaluated periodically and may display expiration dates in various Microsoft 365 administration experiences. If your tenant remains eligible and continues to meet renewal requirements, the subscription may be automatically renewed before the displayed expiration date. Always refer to the Developer Program dashboard for the most current renewal status.
- - question: |
- When my subscription is about to expire, can I extend it?
- answer: |
- The only way that you can extend your subscription is to engage in valid development activity. If you're not using your subscription to develop custom solutions, your subscription will expire and will eventually be deleted. Remember that developer tenants are short-lived and intended for development and testing only. Microsoft may require tenants to be recreated every 90 days, so always keep your data and configurations backed up outside of the developer tenant.
-
- question: |
If my subscription is going to expire, how much time do I have before it is deleted?
answer: |
@@ -539,7 +512,7 @@ sections:
- question: |
Will my tenant be deleted if I lose eligibility for any other reason?
answer: |
- The same applies if you lose eligibility through a path other than Visual Studio, such as your ISV Success Program, MAICPP, or Premier/Unified Support status changing. Your tenant isn't deleted immediately; it follows the standard expiration timeline. Maintain backups of any important development assets and avoid using Developer Program tenants for production workloads, since renewal depends on continued eligibility as well as development activity.
+ The same applies if you lose eligibility through a path other than Visual Studio, such as your ISV Success Program, MAICPP, or Premier/Unified Support status changing. Your tenant isn't deleted immediately; it follows the standard expiration timeline. Maintain backups of any important development assets and avoid using Developer Program tenants for production workloads, since renewal depends on continued eligibility.
- question: |
Can I transfer my Developer Program benefits to another tenant?
@@ -549,7 +522,7 @@ sections:
- question: |
Why should I link my GitHub account?
answer: |
- When you join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, on your [My settings](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile/settings/preferences) page, you can link your GitHub account to your developer program account. Linking your GitHub account will accrue toward the renewal of your Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription. You can also choose to unlink your account by going to the [Accounts linked](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile/settings/accounts-linked) section of your **My settings** page.
+ When you join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, on your [My settings](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile/settings/preferences) page, you can link your GitHub account to your developer program account. You can also choose to unlink your account by going to the [Accounts linked](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile/settings/accounts-linked) section of your **My settings** page.
- name: Compliance and availability
questions:
diff --git a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md
index 26065d0..47dafc5 100644
--- a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md
+++ b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program-get-started.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ ms.localizationpriority: high
# Set up a Microsoft 365 developer sandbox subscription
-Qualifying Microsoft 365 Developer Program members can set up a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription for use in building solutions independent of your production environment. The Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription includes 25 user licenses and lasts for up to 90 days, depending on your activity. If you use your subscription for valid development activity, it will renew automatically.
+Qualifying Microsoft 365 Developer Program members can set up a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription for use in building solutions independent of your production environment. The Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription includes 25 user licenses and lasts for up to 90 days.
> [!NOTE]
> Instant sandboxes issued to eligible customers with enterprise accounts starting July 2026 include add-on commerce capability, so you can purchase additional paid licenses and services including Microsoft 365 Copilot directly from within the sandbox. See [Purchase add-on services] below.
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ From here, you can:
- Monitor your 90-day renewable subscription timer.
> [!TIP]
-> If you're a Visual Studio subscriber, link your subscription to Visual Studio for automatic renewal. See [Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program as a Visual Studio subscriber](join-with-visual-studio.md).
+> If you're a Visual Studio subscriber, you can link your subscription to Visual Studio. See [Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program as a Visual Studio subscriber](join-with-visual-studio.md).
## Configure the subscription