DreamSpark Overview for Students
DreamSpark
Overviewfor Students
Start coding at the speed of thoughtDreamSpark can kick-start your career,
giving you the best professional-level
design and development tools—at no
charge—to literally make your dreams
come to life.
Get the real coding experience you need
to build powerful apps, games and web
sites that will make you stand out.
Get the tools you need to get your dream job—at no cost
DreamSpark
delivers:
• The top developer tools—not trial versions—used by the pros to build real
games and apps that make a real difference
• Over two dozen tools to build real apps and games for Xbox Live/360, Kinect,
Windows 8, Windows Phone, SQL Server, Windows Server and Robotics
• Deep resources, expert help, tutorials, sample code, how-to’s, coding camps
and contests to help you get your first app published
• Free membership in Xbox Live game portal, Windows Phone Developer Center
and Windows Store
• No cost. No catch. Start downloading right away
Come build the future
Microsoft is now leading the rest with cutting edge
tech in Kinect and Xbox Games and flat, user-centric
design on the Windows 8 OS and Windows Phone.
And Windows Store is a wide-open
field that isn’t already overcrowded,
like a lot of other app stores.
Register now and start downloading
software today: www.dreamspark.com/student
Code like a proLearn the technical skills that are in demand at the
coolest companies in social media, cloud computing,
enterprise software, mobile apps, tools and games
Download Microsoft Visual Studio Professional
(not a trial version) and start coding in HTML, C#, C++,
Java, Ruby and more
What are you waiting for?Here’s how to register at DreamSpark
and start downloading today…
Step 1: Go to DreamSpark.com
Step 2: Click on Learn more
1. Look for the
DreamSpark for
Students tile.
2. Find ‘New to
DreamSpark?’
3. Click on ‘Learn
more.’
Step 3: Start by Creating an Account
“Learn More” brings you to
the Students tab.
1. Rollover the ‘Create
Account’ tab.
2. If it’s your first visit to
DreamSpark, click on
the ‘Create Account’
arrow.
(Each time you return for software,
you simply click on the ''Sign In''
menu on the student sub-
navigation bar.)
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2
*Note
Account created is valid for 1 year, after
which the account needs to be verified
again.
Step 4: fill in your account details
3. Fill in the form using your
student email address. The
email and password entered
in this step will become your
DreamSpark.com credentials
4. Next, submit the form to
verify you are a student using
one of our four verification
methods outlined in the
following slides
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3
Step 5: Verify through your school email domain (Option 1)
1. If you school provides an email
address and the domain is stored
in the DreamSpark.com
verification database, you will see
your school listed in the drop-
down box.
2. Select your school.
3. Enter your school email address.
4. An email with an embedded link
containing a verification code will
be sent to that account.
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3
Step 5: Verify with a DreamSpark verification code (Option 2)
1. If you have received a
DreamSpark access code
through a Microsoft
representative or through
some other method, select ‘’I
have a verification code’’ and
enter it exactly in the format
you received.
2. Verification codes are 1 time
usage only.
Step 5: Verify with an International Student Identity Card (Option 3)
If you have an ISIC card, you
can verify your student status
by clicking on ‘’I have an ISIC
card’’ and entering the card
number.
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If the previous methods do not work,
you will need to do a Manual
Verification.
1. Follow the steps to verify through your
school. Click on ‘’Don’t find your
school?” to do a more detailed search.
If you still cannot find your school,
click on ‘’Still cannot find school?’’ in
the widget.
2. Fill in this form, which allows you to
submit proof of student status directly
to the Verification Support team.
3. Support will verify your document and
send email with an embedded link
with a verification code to the email
address you submitted.
4. Clicking on the link will allow you to
complete the verification process.
Step 5: Manual verification (Option 4)
Once you have completed verification you will get a congratulations message and a Welcome email.
Your account will be valid for 12 months, after that you will need to verify your student status again.
We recommend that you proceed and map your DreamSpark account to your Microsoft Account (Windows Live ID) if you did not use a Microsoft Account as your DreamSpark account.
If you do not complete your verification process, you will create a non-verified DreamSpark account that only gives you access to a limited amount of software on the site. You can complete verification at any time by going back to the Student Overview page and signing in.
Step 6: Verification complete
Once you have created an account, you can access all products in the software catalog from the from the navigation bar or Tab # 2 on the Student Overview Page
Step 7: Go to Software Catalog
Click on any software product image to access
the product download page
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1. Select the product version
and language you wish to
download and click on
‘’Download’’ button.
2. The first time you
download a product from
the site, you need to
download the Secure
Download manager
(SDM) tool.
3. Click on ‘’Download .SDX’’
to start downloading
4. Make sure to check out
product-specific resources
and training also
Step 8: Download software and access resources
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Access to the software catalog for students with existing account
Once you have created a
DreamSpark account,
you can access the
software catalog as
follows:
1. Directly from the
Home Page, or
2. From the Student
page navigation bar
Remember to Sign in
once you get to the
Software catalog page.
Access software on your Institution’s DreamSpark WebStore
If your School/University has a DreamSpark subscription WebStore, you can get access to more software than what is available in the software catalog on DreamSpark.com.
Step 1:
Go to ‘More Software for your
School’ tab on the Student
Overview page.
Step 2:
Enter the name of your school
in the Search box.
Step 3:
Click on ‘Visit the WebStore.’
To easily access your ELMS
WebStore, you can follow these
easy steps:
* Important note: access to a DreamSpark WebStore requires a separate account created by your Institution’s
DreamSpark WebStore administrator. You can request an account on the WebStore homepage.
Browse the catalog of software in your Institution’s WebStore
Access to a DreamSpark WebStore
requires a separate account than
your dreamspark.com account.
1. Sign In with your WebStore
user name and password
(provided by your WebStore
Program Administrator).
2. If you don’t have an account,
you can request one.
More than just software: access to the Microsoft App Stores
Access to the Microsoft App Stores lets you get info on developing for Windows 8, the Windows Phone
and the Xbox live on: https://www.dreamspark.com/student/App-Development.aspx.
• Get access to the Windows
Store, Windows Phone Dev
Center, and Xbox Live Indie
Games Portal.
• You must have a verified
DreamSpark account in
order to access.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
What happens if I do not complete the verification process when I create an account?
If you do not complete the verification process, you will create a non-verified DreamSpark account.
With a non-verified account you can download a sub-set of the software on this website. You can
complete your verification process at any time to download the professional developer and designer
tools available. To complete the verification, go to the Student Overview page, sign in, and click on
‘’Get verified’’ under Tab 1.
How often does my student statue need to be re-verified with DreamSpark?
Once a year. More specifically, every 12 months from your last verification date.
Will I be able to download all of the software available on DreamSpark.com?
Yes. Some of the software titles available on DreamSpark are available to everyone, such as Visual
Studio 2012 Express. Most of the software available on the site is restricted to be used only by
students attending accredited institutions. Students may sign up for a DreamSpark.com account and
can download all of software available through DreamSpark.com. Note: when you sign up we will
verify that you are an actual student.
FAQs
Do I need a Microsoft Account (Windows Live ID) to log on to DreamSpark?
No, you do not need a Windows Live ID to log on to DreamSpark. The new DreamSpark experience
allows you to sign in using the email address of your choice. Each user has to be verified as a student
before he or she can begin downloading the Microsoft software tools available on this site. We verify
student status the first time you visit DreamSpark, and then once a year thereafter. Create an account
and verify your academic status to gain immediate access to the site. Please note however that some
DreamSpark Partners, such as Windows Store, Windows Phone Developer Center and Xbox Indie Games
Portal, require students use a Windows Live ID, now called the new Microsoft Account. If you plan to
build Windows, Windows Phone applications or games and want to sell them on the App Stores, we
recommend you create your account with a Microsoft Account (Windows Live ID).
Do I have to be 18 to sign up for DreamSpark?
No, you do not have to be 18 years old to sign up for DreamSpark. You will need a parent or legal
guardian’s permission, however. Please contact us and we can help. Your parent or legal guardian will
need to provide a scanned copy of their government issued identification and a scanned copy of a
signed letter granting you permission.
For more answers please visit our FAQ page on DreamSpark.com.
Resources
Resources for Students
Support:
DreamSpark support: www.dreamspark.com/student/support.aspx
ELMS WebStore support: contact your school’s administration through the Help menu on
the school’s website home page or email [email protected]
FAQs:
https://www.dreamspark.com/Support/FAQ/Default.aspx (click on Student tile)