Licensing Microsoft System Center in Non-Production Environments
11-06-2026 11:39For users who need to develop, test, and demonstrate software—including Microsoft software—Microsoft offers Visual Studio Subscriptions. One of the key benefits of these (non-cloud) subscriptions is that licensed users may download and use Microsoft software based on their subscription level. Microsoft System Center, which is used to manage server infrastructure and client environments, is included in certain subscription levels. A common question is how System Center should be licensed in a non-production environment. More specifically: can the “free-of-charge” non-production rights provided through Visual Studio Subscriptions be used to manage a non-production environment?