download and install visual studio 2008

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.

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

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.

Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions with SP1 (english):
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/8/E/E8EEB394-7F42-4963-A2D8-29559B738298/VS2008ExpressWithSP1ENUX1504728.iso<br/> Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions (english):
http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/B/5/8B5804AD-4990-40D0-A6AA-CE894CBBB3DC/VS2008ExpressENUX1397868.iso

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (iso)

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13276

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/3/7/a371b6d1-fc5e-44f7-914c-cb452b4043a9/VS2008SP1ENUX1512962.iso

Version: SP1 File Name: VS2008SP1ENUX1512962.iso Date Published: 8/11/2008 File Size: 831.3 MB

Supported Operating System

    Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
    Minimum: 1.6 GHz CPU, 384 MB RAM, 1024x768 display, 5400 RPM hard disk
    Recommended: 2.2 GHz or higher CPU, 1024 MB or more RAM, 1280x1024 display, 7200 RPM or higher hard disk
    On Windows Vista: 2.4 GHz CPU, 768 MB RAM
    Maintain Internet connectivity during the installation of the service pack until seeing the “Installation Completed Successfully” message before disconnecting.

Try this one: http://www.asp.net/downloads/essential This has web developer and VS2008 express

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14258

which leads to:

Microsoft® Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR R2

Hope this is helpfull