What should I download from Microsoft?

[sydetys]

HI!

I would like to have experienced opinion:

If one would like to learn more about Windows programming in general, and which would be useful when using assembler too, not only c++,

what should I download from Microsoft? There are HUGE SDK libraries available, and I don´t want to take unnecessary, but best stuff.

I don´t care about .NET Framework either, just plain windows xp/vista progrmming.

There is windows server 2008 and .NET Framework SDK, is that useful also with Vista/XP programming?
Of course vista and NET 3.5 update SDK should be taken?

thanx

[akane]

I have several SDK's, but mostly use only the older "Platform SDK for Windows Server 2003 R2" - it opens very fast, and has more details than the newer SDK's. The root namespace is MS.PSDKSVR2003SP1.1033.
Get it here (bellow 900MB after installing)

[sydetys]

ok, I´ll fetch that and latest version, can´t hurt...

Latest is over 1GB..huh huh, and the SPEED they uploads...I wonder why they won´t use torrents in Microsoft update site

[hutch--]

I still primarily use the "Whistler" edition for Win2000. Occasionally I look something up online with MSDN but it does not happen all that often.