What tech should a .NET coder use for a new Windows desktop app when presented with a dizzying array of options that include .NET MAUI, WinUI, WinForms, WPF, UWP, Blazor and so on?

Microsoft has up the first three of sixteen video tutorials designed to teach novices the basics of application development with the Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions.

After hearing objections from developers, Microsoft will offer a version of its Visual Studio Express 2012 package for desktop application development after all.

The free Express version of Microsoft's Visual Studio 2012 tool suite will allow developers to build more than just Metro-Style, Win RT-based apps for Windows 8.

No-cost desktop software development is dead on Windows 8 You won't be able to use the free Visual Studio Express to develop desktop apps.