Add buy-activate-retail.md

Author: Evan Windom

subscriptions/buy-activate-retail.md

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+---
+title: Visual Studio subscriptions available for purchase in the Microsoft Store | Microsoft Docs
+author: evanwindom
+ms.author: lank
+manager: lank
+ms.assetid: 76654645-08ee-445d-b9ee-123126d1f0fb
+ms.date: 04/13/2020
+ms.topic: conceptual
+description:  Learn how to purchase Visual Studio subscriptions in the Microsoft Store and activate them in the Visual Studio subscriptions portal.
+---
+
+# Visual Studio subscriptions are available through the Microsoft Store
+Visual Studio subscriptions are available through a variety of channels, including [Volume Licensing](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default), Cloud Solution Providers, the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/subscriptions), and Microsoft Store.  This article will explore purchasing and activating subscriptions through the [Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/search?q=visual+studio+subscription).  
+
+## How to buy subscriptions
+Need help deciding which subscription is right for you?  Check out our [subscription benefits page](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/benefits/).  
+
+Visual Studio subscriptions available through the Microsoft Store include:
+- [Visual Studio Enterprise](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-enterprise-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst4?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
+- [Visual Studio Professional](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-professional-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst3?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
+- [Visual Studio Test Professional](https://www.microsoft.com/p/visual-studio-test-professional-subscription/dg7gmgf0dst6?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab)
+
+Each of these subscriptions offers the option to make an initial purchase or to renew an existing subscription.  Renewal pricing, which reflects a significant discount, is only available for exisiting subscriptions. 
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> To qualify to renew subscriptions at the discounted renewal price, subscriptions should be renewed before they expire.  
+
+## How to activate subscriptions
+After you purchase a Visual Studio subscription through the Microsoft Store, you can begin the activation process from the payment "Confirmation Page" or "Confirmation Email" you received after your purchase.
+
+1. Click on **Click here to sign in** in the confirmation email or on the purchase confirmation page.
+2. You will be redirected to [https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate](https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions/activate?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs).
+3. Enter the email address that requires access to the Visual Studio subscription and click **Continue**.
+4. You may be redirected to one of two different sign-in pages depending on the type of account you are using:
+    - Subscribers using their personal "Microsoft Account" (MSA) will see the Microsoft Account password page.
+    - Subscribers using their work/school accounts will be redirected to their organization's sign-in page.
+5. Enter your password, or complete your organization's sign-in requirements.
+6. Upon successful sign-in, an "Activate Your Visual Studio Subscription" window will appear.
+7. Enter the product key information available from the payment "Confirmation Page" or "Confirmation Email" and click **Activate**.
+8. The subscription should now be visible on the [Subscriptions](https://my.visualstudio.com/subscriptions?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) page and you should have access to all your subscription benefits.
+
+## Support for Microsoft Store
+If you have any questions about purchasing throught the Microsoft Store, help is available.  Contact [Microsoft Store Support](https://support.microsoft.com/help/28808/microsoft-store-contact-support?ocid=MSCOMStoreFooter-ContactUs).
+
+## See also
+- [Visual Studio documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/)
+- [Azure DevOps documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/devops/)
+- [Azure documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/)
+- [Microsoft 365 documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/)
+
+## Next steps
+Once you have activated your subscription, visit the [Benefits](https://my.visualstudio.com/benefits?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) page to see all the tools, services, training and support benefits included in your subscription.  We recommend setting up these benefits to get started:
+- [Visual Studio](vs-ide-benefit.md)
+- [Azure DevOps](vs-azure-devops.md)