Merging changes synced from https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/visualstudio-docs-pr (branch live)

Author: Learn Build Service GitHub App

.github/workflows/clean-repo.yml

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
-        uses: step-security/harden-runner@f808768d1510423e83855289c910610ca9b43176 # v2.17.0
+        uses: step-security/harden-runner@8d3c67de8e2fe68ef647c8db1e6a09f647780f40 # v2.19.0
         with:
           egress-policy: audit
 

subscriptions/manage-vs-subscriptions.md

@@ -1,31 +1,31 @@
 ---
-title: Manage Subscriptions
+title: Use your subscription
 author: joseb-rdc
 ms.author: amast
 manager: shve
-ms.date: 08/04/2025
+ms.date: 04/21/2026
 ms.topic: how-to
-description: Explore management tasks for your Visual Studio subscriptions, including renewal, transfer, profile changes, and setting preferences.
+description: Learn how to use your Visual Studio subscription in the subscription portal. You can switch subscriptions, update your profile, renew or transfer subscriptions, and manage your preferences.
 ms.custom: 
 - sfi-image-nochange
 - awp-ai
 ---
-# Manage Visual Studio subscriptions
+# Use your Visual Studio subscriptions
 
-The Visual Studio [subscription portal](https://my.visualstudio.com) gives you the ability to manage all your subscriptions and program memberships in a single place. You can use it to make changes to your profile, use the benefits included with your subscriptions, and switch between subscriptions.
+The Visual Studio [subscription portal](https://my.visualstudio.com) lets you use and maintain your subscriptions and program memberships in one place. You can switch between subscriptions, access your benefits, and update your profile.
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > The Visual Studio [subscription portal](https://my.visualstudio.com?wt.mc_id=o~msft~docs) and [admin portal](https://manage.visualstudio.com) don't support [GCC High tenants](https://learn.microsoft.com/office365/servicedescriptions/office-365-platform-service-description/office-365-us-government/gcc-high-and-dod), also known as private or government domains. This limitation also applies to subscribers who try to sign in to the Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE). To access Visual Studio subscriptions, your organization needs to have a public tenant. For assistance in creating a public tenant, contact [Azure support](https://azure.microsoft.com/support/create-ticket/).
 
-## Manage multiple subscriptions
+## Use multiple subscriptions
 
-The Visual Studio subscription portal brings together all your Visual Studio subscriptions and programs in a single portal experience. For example, you might have one subscription through work, and another subscription or Visual Studio Dev Essentials membership that you use at home.
+The Visual Studio subscription portal brings together all your Visual Studio subscriptions and programs in a single portal experience. For example, you might have one subscription through work, and another through Visual Studio Dev Essentials for personal use.
 
-On the **Benefits** page, the subscription in use appears in the dropdown list next to **Featured benefit**. You can use the list to switch between subscriptions if you have more than one. If you have only one subscription, the list is unavailable.
+On the **Benefits** page, the active subscription appears in the dropdown list next to **Featured benefit** section. You can use the list to switch between subscriptions if you have more than one. If you have only one subscription, the dropdown isn't available.
 
 :::image type="content" source="_img/manage-vs-subscriptions/drop-down.png" alt-text="Screenshot of the dropdown list for subscriptions in the subscription portal.":::
 
-Another way to switch between subscriptions is to select the **Subscriptions** tab and then select the desired subscription.
+You can also switch subscriptions by selecting the **Subscriptions** tab and choosing the one you want to use.
 
 :::image type="content" source="_img/manage-vs-subscriptions/change-subscription-resized.png" alt-text="Screenshot of the Subscriptions tab in the subscription portal.":::
 
@@ -37,25 +37,25 @@ If your subscription isn't visible:
 
 ## Renew subscriptions
 
-+ **Standard subscriptions**: If you purchased your subscription from the [Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/store), you can renew it there. If your company buys subscriptions through a volume license, your admin should contact a reseller to renew your subscription.
++ **Standard subscriptions**: Renew from the [Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/store) or your reseller (for volume licensing).
 
-+ **Cloud subscriptions**: Cloud subscriptions don't need to be renewed. As long as your subscription is paid, it remains active.
++ **Cloud subscriptions**: Don't require renewal and remain active as long as they're paid.
 
-+ **Subscriptions acquired through programs**: If you get a subscription through a program, the subscription is tied to your participation in the program. For information about renewals, reach out to your program contacts. Common programs include:
++ **Subscriptions acquired through programs**: Are tied to your participation in the program. Contact your program owner for renewal details. Common programs include:
 
   + [Azure Dev Tools for Teaching](/azure/education-hub/azure-dev-tools-teaching/about-program)
   + [Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program](https://partner.microsoft.com)
   + [Microsoft Certified Trainer](https://www.microsoft.com/learning/mct-certification.aspx)
 
 ## Transfer subscriptions
 
-If your subscription was purchased through Microsoft volume licensing and you need to reassign it to someone else within the organization, your admin can help you.
+If your subscription was purchased through volume licensing, your admin can reassign it within the organization.
 
-An admin can transfer retail subscriptions to another user by contacting customer service. Complimentary or Not For Resale subscriptions can't be transferred.
+For retail subscriptions, an admin can transfer them by contacting customer service. Complimentary or Not For Resale subscriptions can't be transferred.
 
-## Manage your profile
+## Update your profile
 
-For easier subscription management, you can create and manage a profile in the subscription portal. You can also:
+You can update your profile in the subscription portal to keep your information and preferences up to date. You can also:
 
 + Make changes to your identity information.
 + Associate your subscriptions with other sign-in identities from existing Azure accounts or Azure DevOps organizations by using alternate identities.
@@ -64,17 +64,15 @@ For easier subscription management, you can create and manage a profile in the s
 
 To change the contact information and preferences in your profile:
 
-1. In the upper-right corner of the subscription portal, select your name.
+1. In the upper-right corner, select your name, then select **Edit profile**.
 
-2. Select the **Edit profile** button.
-
-3. On the **About** tab, you can change your name, email, country/region, profile picture, and contact preferences.
+2. On the **About** tab, you can change your name, email, country/region, profile picture, and contact preferences.
 
    On the **Preferences** tab, you can select your preferred language, date and time patterns, time zone, and user interface theme.
 
-4. When you finish making changes, select **Save**.
+3. When you finish making changes, select **Save**.
 
-5. Select your browser's **Back** button to return to the **Benefits** page.
+4. Select **Back** to return to the **Benefits** page.
 
 ### Set communication preferences
 
@@ -84,7 +82,7 @@ To receive periodic updates and newsletters about your subscription and benefits
 
 ### Link a subscription to an existing Azure DevOps or Azure subscription
 
-If you sign in to your subscription by using a personal Microsoft account and you have an Azure DevOps Services or Microsoft Azure subscription that uses an Azure-managed work or school account, you can link the two subscriptions. Use an *alternate account* to keep using your Microsoft account to sign in to your subscription and still have access to existing Azure, Azure DevOps Services, or IDE resources associated with your work or school account.
+If you sign in with a personal Microsoft account and also have an Azure DevOps or Azure subscription linked to a work or school account, you can connect them by adding an alternate account. This connection allows you to keep using your Microsoft account. You can also access Azure services, Azure DevOps, and Visual Studio IDE resources associated with your work or school account.
 
 Even if both accounts use the same email address, you need to add your work or school account as an alternate to use your benefits across both accounts.
 
@@ -108,7 +106,7 @@ After you add an alternate account, you can update or remove it at any time:
 
 ### If I don't renew my subscription, how long does Microsoft keep my data?
 
-The length of time that Microsoft maintains customer data depends on the purchasing channel.
+The retention period depends on how the subscription was purchased:
 
 | Channel | Duration (days) |
 | ------- | --------------- |

subscriptions/toc.yml

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
       href: find-my-subscription.md     
   - name: Subscriptions portal overview
     href: using-the-subscriber-portal.md
-  - name: Manage your subscriptions
+  - name: Use your subscription
     href: manage-vs-subscriptions.md
   - name: When subscriptions expire
     href: subscription-expiration.md