Microsoft Windows SDK Blog : PSDK

Order Windows SDK/PSDK on Disk

wsdkblog@microsoft.com — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:13:00 GMT

The Windows SDK team has a new vendor, Paragon Media, who supplies DVDs of previously released Windows SDKs and Platform SDKs. Currently, Paragon is making the Windows SDK for Windows Server and .NET Framework 3.5 and the Windows SDK Update for Windows Vista and .NET Framework 3.0 available at http://mssdk.orderport.net for the cost of a shipping and handling fee. Soon, some additional SDK releases will be available at the same location. Although Windows SDK releases are typically available on the Microsoft Download Center for at least two years, ordering a DVD can be a good option for customers who do not have access to the Internet or customers who have difficulty downloading the SDK due to limited Internet bandwidth.

If you have feedback on the service that Paragon is providing, please let us know and we will pass it on to them.

Lisa Supinski
Group Manager, Windows SDK team

How to: find the right Windows SDK for your needs

wsdkblog@microsoft.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:11:50 GMT

Several versions of the Windows SDK and earlier Platform SDKs (PSDK) are available. Generally, developers should use the most recent Windows SDK, which supports several Windows operating systems. However, some developers have development requirements that call for an earlier SDK. When deciding which release of the Windows SDK to use, consider which version of Windows you will be installing the SDK on, which version of Windows and/or the .NET Framework you are targeting, and which version of Visual Studio you are using. Use the “Which SDK is Right for Me?” table on the Windows SDK Developer Center to help determine the best choice for your needs.

What’s the Difference between the Windows SDK and the old Platform SDK (PSDK)?

The Windows SDK is the successor to the Platform SDK and the .NET Framework SDK. The Windows SDK supports development with the Win32 programming model on x86, x64, and Itanium platform architectures, and also supports development with the .NET Framework programming model. Windows SDKs include most content found in recent PSDKs plus content for the .NET Framework. The PSDKs do not include content for the .NET Framework programming model.

Karin Meier
Program Manager, Windows SDK Team

The MSDN Windows SDK Developer Center is the place to find resources and links to Windows SDK products, release notes, technical articles, and more.

Announcing: The Windows SDK Developer Center

wsdkblog@microsoft.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:04:00 GMT

Today we launched the Windows SDK MSDN Developer Center. This site is intended as a one-stop place to provide information to help you determine which version of the Windows SDK is most appropriate for your use, and to get information on how you can maximize your experience with the Windows SDK.

Some other useful things you’ll find on the site:

Useful information for how you can use the SDK.
Links to appropriate Windows or Platform SDK downloads.
Links to useful downloads to content that is associated with the SDK such as Windows PowerShell and the Debugging Tools for Windows.
Links and views into community content.
Online Release Notes that are refreshed as new issues come up.
Link to the SDK’s Privacy Statement.
Links to related Developer Centers.
Links to support information.

We’re pretty darn excited to get this site live, but of course it’s only a first take on the project. We have a good amount of additional content we’re planning on adding to the site over the next few months, including a matrix to help determine which SDK release is the right one for you. Please help us by sending feedback on the site. You can add a comment below or use one of the mailto links on the site.

What SDK should I use to develop on/for XP or Server 2003?

wsdkblog@microsoft.com — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:20:00 GMT

Don’t let the name fool you. The latest Windows SDK for developing on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 is the Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Update for Windows Vista, released in March, 2007. Read more about it in this Windows SDK Team blog post or download it from the links below. The Windows SDK Update for Vista has the content needed to develop on or for Vista, but also supports creating applications for or on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 SP1, and Windows Server 2003 R2. You can also create applications for Windows Server 2000 with this SDK, although development on Windows 2000 is not supported; in fact SDK installation on Windows Server 2000 is blocked.

Web Install:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4377f86d-c913-4b5c-b87e-ef72e5b4e065&displaylang=en
ISO Download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=ff6467e6-5bba-4bf5-b562-9199be864d29&displaylang=en

The next release quality version of the Windows SDK will be the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5, which will release at the same time as Microsoft Windows Server 2008. A release candidate (pre-release bits) version of this SDK is available now. Read about it.

K a r i n M e i e r

Windows SDK | Samples & Community PM