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.NET Framework and .NET SDKs

The .NET Framework is the easiest way to build apps on the Microsoft platform. You can download Visual Studio Express for free, and be coding in just a few minutes. You can also use the .NET SDKs and targeting packs to build apps for a given Microsoft platform, such as Microsoft Azure.

.NET Framework Downloads

.NET Framework 4.6 Preview
.NET Framework 4.5.1
.NET Framework 4.0
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1
.NET NuGet packages
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Visual Studio Express (free)

Windows 8
Windows Desktop
Windows Phone
Web and Azure
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What's New with .NET Framework

.NET Framework and .NET SDK Downloads

A Journey Through Open Source: The Trials & Triumphs in Roslyn's First Year of Open Source
This post is written by Kasey Uhlenhuth a Program Manager on the Managed Languages Team. "I am looking for someone to share in an adventure." &mdas... more
A Journey Through Open Source: The Trials & Triumphs in Roslyn's First Year of Open Source
"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure." — <cite style="font-size: 80%;">Gandalf, The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien</cite> On April 3, 20... more
A Journey Through Open Source: The Trials & Triumphs in Roslyn's First Year of Open Source
"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure." — <cite style="font-size: 80%;">Gandalf, The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien</cite> On April 3, 20... more
Lowercase Keywords Revisited (not an April Fools' Day joke this time, I promise)
Hey all, I hope you enjoyed yesterday's April Fools' Day post. I thought it was a fun way to kick off an experiment I'd like to conduct and in this po... more

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.NET Compiler Platform ("Roslyn")

The .NET Compiler Platform ("Roslyn") provides open-source C# and Visual Basic compilers with rich code analysis APIs. You can build code analysis tools with the same APIs that Microsoft is using to implement Visual Studio!

Microsoft .NET Native

.NET Native compiles C# to native machine code that performs like C++. You will continue to benefit from the productivity and familiarity of the .NET Framework with the great performance of native code. Popular Windows Store apps start up to 60% faster and use 15-20% less memory when compiled with .NET Native.

.NET Framework Development Guide

Learn how to create, configure, debug, secure, and deploy your .NET Framework apps with our roadmap. Check out the how-to and walkthrough directory to find the code examples that you need. Also learn how to write cross-platform libraries with Portable Class Libraries.

What’s New in the .NET Framework 4.5

Read about the many new features and enhancements, including the new asynchronous programming model, the new HTTP API, Workflow authoring and versioning enhancements, and support for creating Windows Store apps.

Developing Apps for Microsoft Platforms

Visit MSDN to learn about creating apps that build your business, for Windows Store, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Azure.

.NET SDK Downloads

Visual Studio 2013

Visual Studio 2012

Visual Studio 2010

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Language resources

Visual C#

Visual Basic

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Featured Partners

Infragistics
As User Experience experts making leading User Interface tools, Infragistics empowers .NET developers to create UIs for Killer Apps with extreme functionality, complete usability and the "Wow-factor!"