Download |top| Updated Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition -

The installer offers "Typical" and "Custom" paths. Choose to select only the components you need, which saves disk space.

Disclaimer: Always download software from official Microsoft sources. Using third-party "mirrors" for Visual Studio installers can expose you to malware injected into the installation packages. If the official links are down, contact Microsoft Support directly.

Before running the installer, ensure your machine meets the following minimum specifications: Minimum Requirement Recommended Specification Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 10 Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) Processor 1.6 GHz or faster Quad-Core 2.4 GHz or faster RAM 1 GB (2 GB for VM execution) 8 GB or higher Hard Disk Space Up to 40 GB depending on features SSD with 50+ GB free space Graphics Card DirectX 9-capable video card (1024 x 768) DirectX 11 or higher Step-by-Step Installation Guide

When installing UWP development tools (Tools 1.4.1 and Windows 10 SDK 14393), some users have reported that the required packages do not download correctly. This may be due to unresolved server names or address resolution issues. If this occurs, one workaround is to consider using Visual Studio 2019 or later for UWP development. The installer offers "Typical" and "Custom" paths

Use the search bar within the portal and type: Visual Studio 2015 Community with Update 3 . Choose your preferred from the drop-down menu. Select the Format :

While the Community Edition is free, it will prompt you for a license after 30 days if left unlinked. Click the button in the upper right corner of the IDE and log in with your Microsoft account to unlock the permanent, free license. Configure Environment Variables

Furthermore, "Community Edition" was a relatively new concept at the time. Before VS 2013/2015, we had "Express" editions which were severely limited. The Community Edition changed the game by offering a fully featured IDE free for non-enterprise use. Using third-party "mirrors" for Visual Studio installers can

| Component | Requirement | |-----------|-------------| | | 1.6 GHz or faster | | RAM | 1 GB (1.5 GB if running on a virtual machine) | | Hard Disk Space | 4 GB of available space (a full installation may exceed 30 GB) | | Hard Drive Speed | 5400 RPM hard disk drive | | Video Card | DirectX 9‑capable video card with 1024 x 768 or higher resolution | | Supported OS | Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 |

How to Download and Install Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition

Standard support for Visual Studio 2015 ended on October 14, 2025. While the software works, it no longer receives security updates or technical support from Microsoft. This may be due to unresolved server names

Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition was released on July 20, 2015, as a landmark free version of Microsoft's flagship integrated development environment (IDE). It enabled individual developers, open‑source contributors, academic researchers, educators, and small professional teams to create applications for Windows, Android, iOS, modern web platforms, and cloud services using a single, fully featured toolset. Since its launch, a common question that persists is how to , especially the final update that includes the latest fixes and features.

To download this today, you cannot rely on the standard "Download" button. You must access the archive.

Last updated: October 2025 — This guide reflects Microsoft’s current download policies as of this date.

Next, obtain the official installer from Microsoft to avoid malicious or tampered copies. Microsoft distributes Visual Studio 2015 through its official download/archival pages and the Microsoft Download Center. Prefer the offline ISO or the latest web bootstrapper labeled “Visual Studio 2015 Update 3” (the final major update for VS2015) to get the most recent patches and improved stability. If you need language packs or specific workloads (e.g., Visual C++, .NET desktop, or ASP.NET), choose them during installation or include them when creating an offline layout.