Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 mark the next generation of developer tools from Microsoft.
Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 focuses on the core pillars of developer experience, support for the latest platforms, targeted experiences for specific application types, and core architecture improvements.

Visual Studio is a complete suite of tools for building both desktop and team-based enterprise Web applications. In addition to building high-performing desktop applications, you can use Visual Studio's powerful component-based development tools and other technologies to simplify team-based design, development, and deployment of enterprise solutions.

Designed to satisfy the latest requirements of developers, Visual Studio delivers key innovations in the following areas:
• Democratizing Application Lifecycle Management. Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) crosses many roles in a development organization. Traditionally, not every role has had an equal part in the process. Visual Studio Team System 2010 continues to empower an organization to build a platform for functional equality and shared commitment across its ALM process.

• Enabling emerging trends. Every year the industry develops new technologies and new trends. With Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft delivers tooling and framework support for the latest innovations in application architecture, development, and deployment.

• Inspiring developer delight. Ever since the first release of Visual Studio, Microsoft has set the bar for developer productivity and flexibility. Visual Studio 2010 continues the tradition by significantly improving the experience for all software development roles.

• Riding the next generation platform wave. Microsoft continues to invest in the market-leading operating system, productivity applications, and server platforms to deliver increasing customer value. With Visual Studio 2010, customers will have the tooling support that is required to create amazing solutions around these technologies.

Visual Studio 2010 can be installed on the following operating systems:
   o Windows XP (x86) with Service Pack 3 - all editions except Starter Edition
   o Windows XP (x64) with Service Pack 2 - all editions except Starter Edition
   o Windows Vista (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 1 - all editions except Starter Edition
   o Windows 7 (x86 and x64)
   o Windows Server 2003 (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 2
   o Windows Server 2003 R2 (x86 and x64)
   o Windows Server 2008 (x86 and x64) with Service Pack 2
   o Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)