download and install visual studio 2008 [closed]

Ok, this may be the dumbest question ever, but I swear I searched for the answer and don't know what to do.

I need to install Visual Studio 2008. The free version. I need it in order to compile something.

Microsoft has a download page http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7873 with a big red "download" button. This button then proceeds to download a powerpoint file. No info under "install instructions"

I have found other links that show you how to install it, but assuming that you've already got whatever it is that needs to be downloaded.

I've also found a couple of random sites where I can download it, but don't know for sure if I can trust these sites.

EDIT: I am also not having any luck finding visual studio express 2008. MS has links for 2012.

Solution 1:

Visual Studio 2008: (3,30 GB) http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/1/d/81d3f35e-fa03-485b-953b-ff952e402520/VS2008ProEdition90dayTrialENUX1435622.iso

MSDN Library 2008: (2,15 GB) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=90&p=&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=7bbe5eda-5062-4ebb-83c7-d3c5ff92a373&u=http%3a%2f%2fdownload.microsoft.com%2fdownload%2f1%2ff%2f0%2f1f07c259-7ff2-4902-9205-ad1dfb87ccab%2fVS2008SP1MSDNENUX1506188.iso

To upgrade from trial version to Pro version, check: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms246600%28VS.80%29.aspx

Solution 2:

For Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, not the general Visual Studio (go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7729279‎)

Google Visual Studio 2008 Express instead of just Visual Studio 2008. Click to the first link that appears which is a download link from Microsoft mentioned above.