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Which SDK is Right for Me?

Introduction

Several versions of the Windows SDK and earlier Platform SDKs (PSDK) are available.  Generally, developers will want the most recent SDK, which supports several Windows operating systems.  Some developers have particular development requirements that call for an earlier SDK.  You will want to consider what version of Windows you will be installing the SDK on and building applications for, and which version of Visual Studio and/ or the .NET Framework you will want support for.   

What’s the Difference between the Windows SDK and Platform SDK (PSDK)?

The Windows SDK supports development with the Win32 programming model on x86, x64, and Itanium platform architectures, and also supports development with the .NET Framework programming model.   The Windows SDK is the successor to the Platform SDK and the .NET Framework SDK.  Windows SDKs include most content found in recent PSDKs plus content for the .NET Framework. The PSDKs do not include content for the .NET Framework programming model.


Development RequirementWindows Server 2008 & .NET 3.5  SDKWindows Vista Update & .NET 3.0  SDK.NET Framework 2.0 SDK.NET Framework SDK v1.1 Windows Server 2003 R2 PSDK
Release Information
Release DateFeb-08Feb-07Nov-06Nov-06Mar-06
Build Number6.0.6001.18000.3676.1.6000.16384.102.0.50727.421.1.4322.5915.2.3790.2075.51
Release Notes onlineHereHere   
Size of full install1.3 GB1.4 GB354 MB106 MB409 MB
Operating Systems Support
Installs on server 2008XXXXX
Installs on VistaXXXXX
Installs on Windows XPXXXXX
Installs on Server 2003/2003 R2XXXXX
Installs on NT 4.0 SP6    X
Installs on Server 2000    X
create apps targeting  Server 2008X    
create apps targeting  VistaXX   
create apps targeting  XPXX  X
create apps targeting  Server 2003/2003 R2XX  X
create apps targeting  Server 2000    X
Platform Architecture Support
Installs on  X86XXXXX
Installs on  X64XXX X
Installs on IA64X X X
Develop apps for X86XXXX 
Develop apps for X64XXX X
Develop apps for IA64XXX  
Visual Studio Compatibility
Works with Visual Studio 2008XXnot
recommended		not
recommended		 
Works with Visual Studio 2005XXXXX
Works With VS .NET 2003not
recommended		not
recommended		not recommendedXX
Works With VS .NET 2002not
recommended		not
recommended		not recommendedXX
.NET Framework Support
Supports .NET Framework 3.5X    
Supports .NET Framework 3.0XX   
Supports .NET Framework 2.0XXX  
Supports .NET Framework 1.1   X 
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