[CharlieMay]

Well, it looks as if Microsoft is going to remove the ability to write desktop applications for Windows 8 in their free version of Visual Studio for version 11.

Not sure how may of you use the express version but if you do, what are your thoughts?

http://www.engadget....8-desktop-apps/

[Ryano121]

One thing's for sure, if the whole Metro thing doesn't take off as Microsoft expect it will do, then they are really screwed.

I can see why Microsoft chose to do this. They want developers to start using Metro. Makes sense. However if it doesn't kick off then will have alienated a lot of small time developers who are very familiar with their desktop programs. A lot of whom will stick with Windows 7 and VS 2010.

I don't see it really making that much impact on most developers - who don't use the free editions anyway - yet is seems surprising that they want to almost cut support for desktop program immediately. Perhaps it would be better to do this in VS 12 when at least people will have had some time with Metro.

So what do you think?

[modi123_1]

Well that blows. How is that going to affect XNA?

[CharlieMay]

Ryano121, on 25 May 2012 - 09:03 AM, said:

I don't see it really making that much impact on most developers - who don't use the free editions anyway - yet is seems surprising that they want to almost cut support for desktop program immediately. Perhaps it would be better to do this in VS 12 when at least people will have had some time with Metro.

So what do you think?

That was my first thought when I read it, but then I stopped to realize that there are a lot of people that use the express edition which this would impact.

I totally agree that this move would have been better after people got a better feel for Metro and of course as you stated, a better move for MS if it falls flat on it's face. Of course, I'm sure that it would be simple to fix the framework and turn this ability back on in VS if it doesn't pan out.

I just hope they don't start a bunch of different versions of VS express (metro developers edition, XNA developers edition) because as modi pointed out, what effect does this have with XNA developers.

[CharlieMay]

Well apparently Microsoft has listed to our concerns and will include an express version of VS to encompass Desktop development.
...Article

It does appear however that there will be multiple versions of express

Quote

The company was going to have four versions of its no-cost Visual Studio Express suite, for development of Metro applications, Web apps, Azure cloud applications, and Windows Phone apps—covering all the bases, except one: the desktop.

EDIT: apparently, I can't copy and paste correctly

This post has been edited by CharlieMay: 08 June 2012 - 11:57 AM

[iNihan]

sure Its a bad new for me Cant Buy a vs11 by my own