Choose this if you specifically need C++ desktop tools, Python support, F#, or mobile development SDKs (like Xamarin or Android tools). Step 4: Complete the Setup
: Compared to massive modern IDE architectures, VS 2015 runs efficiently on older hardware.
Because the software was released years ago, the digital certificates embedded in the installer may have expired, causing the setup to block itself. Choose this if you specifically need C++ desktop
If you receive an error stating there is no internet connection even when you are online, follow these steps:
You do not need an active internet connection during installation. If you receive an error stating there is
For new projects, you should strongly consider using , the latest 64-bit version with ongoing support. However, if you must maintain legacy code, VS2015 remains a viable tool, and Microsoft has confirmed that a given version of Visual Studio is supported on later versions of Windows under an implicit compatibility promise.
The standard web installer is small but requires a stable internet connection throughout the process to download components. In contrast, the offline version (ISO file or custom layout) allows you to: The standard web installer is small but requires
Once logged into the subscriptions portal, standard search filters will help you pinpoint the precise 7+ GB full offline installer rather than the broken 4 MB web wrapper. How to download Visual Studio Community Edition 2015
: This is the primary official source. You must sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions Portal (formerly MSDN). You can join the free Visual Studio Dev Essentials program to gain access to older downloads. Search for "Visual Studio Community 2015 with Update 3" and select the DVD (ISO) format rather than the EXE to get the offline-ready file.
| Component | Minimum Requirement | | :--- | :--- | | | 1.6 GHz or faster processor | | RAM | 1 GB (1.5 GB if running on a virtual machine) | | Hard Disk Space | 4 GB for a basic install. However, a full offline layout can exceed 12.8 GB. You will also need roughly 25 GB of free space during the installation process for temporary files and caches | | Operating System | Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 | | Graphics | DirectX 9-capable video card with a 1024 x 768 or higher resolution |
: The most reliable official method is to sign in to the Visual Studio Subscriptions (formerly MSDN) portal. Search for "Visual Studio Community 2015 with Update 3," select DVD in the dropdown box (this changes the format to an ISO image), and download the file, which is approximately 7.2 GB .