This week, Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 RC (Release Candidate) became available to everyone for download. 

This post is a brief guide to resources to help you quickly get started and learn about what’s new.

Before Installing

• What’s New?  Watch a Channel 9 Video with Jason Zander discussing and demonstrating the RC
• What versions are there?  Visual Studio 2010 Feature Comparision
• Work with Silverlight?  Be sure to read the Silverlight FAQ for the RC by Tim Heuer
• Interested in a “Go Live” release?  Read Jeff Beehler’s post
• Migrating from TFS 2010 Beta 2 to the RC?  Read this guide via Bryan Krieger’s blog

Install

• Where can I find the RC?  Right here
• How do I install?  The download pages have guidance, plus there is the Visual Studio 2010 RC Readme and a Download/Install Guide by Charles Sterling

Install Some More

• Interested in F#?  Read Don Syme’s post (F# Release & F# Power Pack)
• Interested in Windows Azure?  Get the Windows Azure Tools and SDK
• Interested in ASP.NET MVC?  See Phil Haack’s post on ASP.NET MVC 2 RC2
• Expression Blend Preview for .NET 4 – An RC update is in the works and will be posted here when ready (click the Service Packs & Previews tab)

Learning More

• Training Course – Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 Training Course on Channel 9
• Hands-on Labs, Demos, Presentations & More - Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4 Training Kit – February Release
• Walkthroughs – Visual Studio 2010 Release Candidate Walkthroughs
• (Video) Podcast – 10-4 Series on Channel 9
• Blog – Visual Studio blog

Enjoy, and let me know if you’ve found other useful resources.

-Chris