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Get Started with Visual Studio

Visual Studio is a suite of component-based development tools and other technologies for building powerful, high-performance applications. In addition, Visual Studio is optimized for team-based design, development, and deployment of enterprise solutions.

Extend Visual Studio

Visual Studio 2010 Getting Started Guide

Essential Resources

Better Coding with Visual Studio 2010Better Coding with Visual Studio 2010

Practical advice from Doug Turnure about how to use some of the new features in VS 2010.

Getting Started with ALM FeaturesGetting Started with ALM Features

Apply proven practices to manage your application's lifecycle (ALM), from understanding customer needs through code design and implementation to deployment.

Getting Started with Extending Visual StudioGetting Started with Extending Visual Studio

Learn how to customize and extend Visual Studio to automate tasks or add features.

Software Engineering with Visual StudioSoftware Engineering with Visual Studio

Draft manuscript from Sam Guckenheimer and Neno Loje that presents information in a style that will help all team members get a sense of each other's view-point.

Which edition is right for me?

Product Comparison GuideProduct Comparison Guide

Comprehensive product comparison of the Visual Studio 2010 products.

Compatibility MatrixCompatibility Matrix

Guide that lists the major differences in features between released versions.

How do I install Visual Studio?

Installing Visual Studio (Product Documentation)Installing Visual Studio (Product Documentation)

Comprehensive guidance that includes guidance for installation, troubleshooting problems and what to do after initial install.

Download and Installing the Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate (Video)Downloading and Installing the Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate (Video)

Time-compressed video will take you through all of the key things you need to know to get up and running quickly.

What do I need to install?


Hardware Requirements

  • 1.6 GHz CPU or faster
  • RAM (1 GB RAM for x86, 2 GB RAM for x64)
  • Running on Virtual Machine (additional 512 MB RAM)
  • SharePoint development requirements
  • 3 GB of available hard-disk space
  • 5400 RPM hard disk
  • DirectX 9-capable video card running at 1024 x 768 or higher display resolution
  • DVD-ROM drive

System Requirements - Supported Architectures

  • x86
  • x64

Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows XP (x86) with Service Pack 3*
  • Windows Vista (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 1*
  • Windows 7 (x86 & x64)
  • Windows Server 2003 (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 R2 (x86 & x64)
  • Windows Server 2008 (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)

*All editions except Starter Edition

Additional Resources

Recommended Books

Professional Application Lifecycle Management with Visual Studio 2010Professional Application Lifecycle Management with Visual Studio 2010

Mickey Gousset, Brian Keller, Ajoy Krishnamoorthy and Martin Woodward

Professional Visual Studio 2010Professional Visual Studio 2010

Nick Randolph, David Gardner, Chris Anderson and Michael Minutillo

Professional Team Foundation Server 2010Professional Team Foundation Server 2010

Ed Blankenship, Martin Woodward, Grant Holliday, and Brian Keller

Visual Studio 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For DummiesVisual Studio 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies

Rick Leinecker and Vanessa L. Williams

Microsoft Visual Studio TipsMicrosoft Visual Studio Tips

Sara Ford

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