Software download FAQs

An Office 365 account is a requirement for ADT4T.

If you have issues logging in, please scroll back up to the top of this page and sign up for O365 first!

Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching (ADT4T: was Imagine, was Dreamspark, was MSDNAA) is purchased by individual schools within the University, not centrally by IT Services. It is therefore administered by each department. As a student or instructor, if you believe you are eligible for MS ADT4T software, please see your departmental assistant or instructor.

The Azure Dev Tools for Teaching is separate from the Office 365 program, and provides different software than Office 365.

Although Visio and Project are deemed Office components, they are not available via Office 365 - students must obtain these via ADT4T.

Be sure to always use your SFU credentials (ie. SFUID@sfu.ca) to logon to ADT4T (no matter what is going on with Office 365 accounts). Always choose "Work or School Account" when asked.

The software section is now shown on the middle-left of the Azure portal screen.

Currently, the following departments are known to be participating in their own Microsoft ADT4T agreements:

• Beedie school of business:
  • Please use the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching portal.
• All Faculty of Applied Science:
  • Please use the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching portal.
• School of Interactive Arts and Technology:
  • Please use the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching portal.

If in doubt, simply try logging directly into the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching portal.

Remember to use your SFU credentials (SFUID@sfu.ca) to access ADT4T no matter what account you use to access the Office 365 for Education program. If you have trouble logging in, be sure to click through to the Office 365 sign up page - if you are a new student it's possible you have not signed up yet.

ADT4T logon issues?

IT Services cannot resolve generic, "There is a problem with your account" issues with logging in. These require a ticket with Microsoft:

Email: Submit Online Request: https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/supportrequestform/7a3f017a-c951-7e06-1bd7-64bf7fc202ff?SL=en&SC=CA
Phone: (866) 643-9421

VMWare for Teaching is purchased by individual schools within the University, not centrally by IT Services. It is therefore administered by each department. As a student or instructor, if you believe you are eligible for VMWare software, please see your departmental assistant or instructor.

Currently, the following departments are known to be participating in their own VMWare agreements:

• School of Interactive Arts and Technology:
  • Login here

Being a graduate student does not necessarily grant you access to additional faculty/staff downloads. If you are on payroll (e.g., you're a TA), then you will have access to faculty/staff downloads in many cases.

No. Retired faculty or staff are not licensed for faculty/staff downloads. There are exceptions for emeritus professors for Maple and Matlab. However these cases are dependent upon the licensing requirements of the individual vendors. Access for the above links is maintained by a mail list - generally if a users' account is not authorized to access the download page, the user is simply not entitled.

Retirees are not eligible for the Adobe Pro apps. Microsoft Office 365 "A1" licenses are available to help facilitate working with the University community. This furnishes all the Office services, but does not allow for downloadable desktop installs of Office. The Office suite is still available in a browser.

As above, it is dependent upon the licensing requirements of the individual vendors, and not all vendors have the same entitlements. For more information, send an email to software@sfu.ca. Access for the above links is maintained by a mail list - generally if a users' account is not authorized to access the download page, the user is simply not entitled.

Professors emeriti are not eligible for the Adobe Pro apps. Microsoft Office 365 "A1" licenses are available to help facilitate working with the University community. This furnishes all the Office services, but does not allow for downloadable desktop installs of Office. The Office suite is still available in a browser.

As above, it is dependent upon the licensing requirements of the individual vendors, and not all vendors have the same entitlements. For more information, send an email to software@sfu.ca. Access for the above links is maintained by a mail list - generally if a users' account is not authorized to access the download page, the user is simply not entitled.

Adjunct professors are not eligible for the Adobe Pro apps. Microsoft Office 365 "A1" licenses are available to help facilitate working with the University community. This furnishes all the Office services, but does not allow for downloadable desktop installs of Office. The Office suite is still available in a browser.

If you are being paid out of a research grant, you are not licensed for all faculty/staff software. If you have just recently started a position, it may take time for HR to process your role change. You can check your current role and status online by logging in to the SFU computing account directory and searching for your SFU computing ID. Under the "person" tab you will find your role(s). If neither "faculty" or "staff" appears, something is amiss. Contact your department regarding the issue.

Let's set some definitions. There are two license types currently:

1. Campus Volume Licensing
   1. These licenses are activated by nature of a serialized install (CD key)
      
2. Office 365
   1. These licenses are authorized on a per-user basis (requires logon)
      

Microsoft Office Campus Volume Licensing may be installed onto any University-owned computer physically located on an SFU campus (this includes departmental laptops).

In the case of University owned laptops, the laptops must be used primarily on campus.  This is important both for licensing reasons as well as the fact that the current version of Office requires re-activation by an SFU server on a regular basis.  A machine with the Microsoft Office Campus Volume Licensing will cease to function if away from campus for more than 180 days. Activation works on wired and wireless, on any SFU campus.

Logically then, machines used primarily off campus (University owned or not) should use the Office 365 program (see the very top of this page). This version has fewer restrictions in terms of use or location. Activation and authorization is handled via a login mechanism built into the Office suite. SFU plays a negligible role.

Continuing, permanent faculty and staff may also be eligible for the Office 365 program (see the very top of this page). This service allows the installation of Office on up to five computers, regardless of physical location.

Not all software license agreements are the same, and some define "staff" with a fairly narrow scope. In many cases (Adobe and Microsoft are the primary examples) individuals must be on SFU payroll. IT Services understands the important role that research plays at the University, and will continue to advocate for access to software whether individuals are paid by payroll, or a research grant.