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How to install an older version of Microsoft Visual Web Developer from 2008

Charles Bluestone 0 Reputation points
2025-12-08T16:13:03.1266667+00:00

On my older Windows 10 pc I developed a website using Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008

On my new windows 11 pc I would like to install version 2008 as the tool has changed dramatically.

Windows development | Internet Information Services
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  1. Jack Dang (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 5,795 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-12T07:29:29.89+00:00

    Hi @Charles Bluestone ,

    Thanks for reaching out.

    Given that your experience is primarily in mainframe programming and that your website was developed in ASP.NET (VB) using Visual Web Developer 2008, it makes sense that the modern versions of Visual Studio feel very different. The good news is that you can transition gradually and leverage your existing knowledge.

    Since Visual Web Developer 2008 is no longer officially available for download and is incompatible with Windows 11, the safest path is to move to a supported version of Visual Studio, which still allows you to develop ASP.NET applications with VB.NET.

    Here are some practical suggestions:

    1. Install Visual Studio Community Edition (latest version)
      • Free for individual developers, students, and small teams.
      • You can select the “.NET desktop development” and “ASP.NET and web development” workloads during installation.
      • It supports VB.NET, so your knowledge of ASP.NET in VB will still apply.
    2. Use Tutorials Focused on Modern ASP.NET with VB.NET
      • While the syntax is largely compatible, the project structure has evolved (e.g., Web Forms, MVC, and now .NET 7/8).
      • Some recommended resources:
    3. Practical Approach for Transition
      • Start by creating a simple Web Forms VB.NET project in the latest Visual Studio.
      • Gradually port over your old website code, testing as you go.
      • Focus on understanding the new project structure, NuGet packages, and modern web controls.
    4. Optional - Use a Virtual Machine
      • If you really need the old Visual Web Developer 2008 IDE, you could run it in a Windows 7 or 10 VM. This is more of a temporary solution for reference rather than long-term development.

    In short, moving to a modern Visual Studio version and learning the current ASP.NET workflows is the most practical and future-proof path. Your VB.NET skills will still be very valuable.

    Hope this helps! If my answer was helpful - kindly follow the instructions here so others with the same problem can benefit as well.

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-08T16:13:13.97+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To install Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 on your new Windows 11 PC, you can follow these steps:

    1. Download Visual Web Developer 2008: You will need to find the installation files for Visual Web Developer 2008. This may involve searching for it on the Microsoft website or other software repositories that host older versions of Microsoft products.
    2. Run the Installer: Once you have the installation files, run the installer. You may need to right-click on the installer and select "Run as administrator" to ensure it has the necessary permissions.
    3. Follow Installation Prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Make sure to select the necessary components you need for your development work.
    4. Install Updates: After installation, check for any updates that may be available for Visual Web Developer 2008 to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
    5. Compatibility Settings: If you encounter any issues running the application, you may need to adjust the compatibility settings. Right-click on the Visual Web Developer shortcut, go to Properties, and under the Compatibility tab, select an older version of Windows (like Windows 7 or XP) to run the application in compatibility mode.

    By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install and run Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 on your Windows 11 PC.

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  2. Lex Li 6,037 Reputation points
    2025-12-08T21:38:38.5833333+00:00

    Visual Studio 2008 family reached end of life a few years ago, so Microsoft removed all related downloads and web contents. You should learn a newer version instead.

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