Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform, and cross-device plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

Get Started Building Silverlight 2 Applications

1. Install Visual Studio 2008 then Install Silverlight Tools Beta 2 for Visual Studio 2008
   This add-on to Visual Studio 2008 allows you to use .NET to create Silverlight 2 Beta 2 Web sites. The Silverlight 2 Beta 2 Runtime and the Silverlight 2 Beta 2 SDK are installed as part of this install. For additional information read the overview and the Silverlight 2 Beta 2 Readme Notes. Note if you have Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 Beta installed, please see this information for details on installing correctly.
2. Install Expression Blend 2.5 June 2008 Preview
   This is a preview version of Expression Blend for designing Silverlight 2 experiences.
3. Install Deep Zoom Composer
   This tool allows you to prepare your images for use with the Deep Zoom feature in Silverlight 2.

Start Learning Silverlight 2

1. Watch the Getting Started Video
   This video will show you how to install the Silverlight tools then how to create your first Silverlight application.
   (13 minutes, 2 seconds)
2. Read Scott Guthrie's 8-part blog series
   Scott's blog posts will walk you through the fundamentals of Silverlight 2 and will help you build a sample application along the way. Each step includes source code.
   
   Part 1 - Creating a Hello World with Silverlight 2 and VS 2008
   Part 2 - Using Layout Management
   Part 3 - Using Networking to Retrieve Data and Populate a DataGrid
   Part 4 - Using Style Elements to Better Encapsulate Look and Feel
   Part 5 - Using the ListBox and DataBinding to Display List Data
   Part 6 - Using User Controls to Implement Master/Details Scenarios
   Part 7 - Using Templates to Customize Look and Feel
   Part 8 - Creating a Digg Desktop Version of our Application using WPF
   
3. Read Scott Guthrie's Blog Post: "First Look at Using Expression Blend with Silverlight 2"
   Read Scott's blog post to understand the key features of Expression as you build a sample application, or watch Jesse Liberty's 3-part video series on the same subject.
   
   Part 1 - Introducing Blend to Silverlight Developers
   Part 2 - Intensive Silverlight Programming and Expression Blend
   Part 3 - Programming Silverlight With Blend: Data Binding and More
4. Watch the following introductory videos for Silverlight 2
   Silverlight 2 allows you to create rich interactive applications for the Web using Visual C# and Visual Basic.
   • Using Grids and Stack Panels
   • Binding Data
   • User Controls
   • Consuming data with web services
5. Read Jesse Liberty's Tutorials
   Learn more about Silverlight 2 with the regular tutorial series from Jesse.
6. Read Scott Guthrie's blog post: "What's New in Silverlight Beta 2"
   Scott's blog post highlights what’s new in the UI and Control space, as well as the Media, Networking, and Data improvements that are part of Beta 2.

More Silverlight Learning Resources

More Training Videos
Watch dozens of videos for designers and developers, from the novice to the professional.

Visit the QuickStarts to create your first application
QuickStarts are task-based samples that provide an excellent way to learn the features of Silverlight. Each sample walks you through a feature and demonstrates how you can use that feature in your Silverlight-based applications.

Download a sample from the Gallery
Upload and share your Silverlight sample in the Gallery.

Have a question? Visit the forums
Developers and designers throughout the world post questions and answers to the Silverlight forums.

What's Different in Beta 2
Read about the differences and breaking changes between Silverlight 2 Beta 1 and Beta 2.

Microsoft Silverlight 2 SDK Beta 2
If you are not installing the Microsoft Silverlight Tools Beta 2 for Visual Studio 2008 which includes this SDK, you can download this SDK to create Silverlight Web experiences that target Silverlight 2 Beta 2. The SDK contains documentation, samples and other tools for building Silverlight applications.

Read the documentation
The documentation on MSDN will help you understand Silverlight.

Stay informed, subscribe to the RSS
This is the main Silverlight RSS feed and includes community blogs, news, and the latest content.

Silverlight 1.0 resources

Start creating Silverlight applications with the Visual Studio developer tools and the Expression designer tools. For additional information on the tools read the overview.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
VS 2008 is the premier developer tool for creating Silverlight applications.

Microsoft Silverlight Tools Beta 2 for Visual Studio 2008
The add-on to create Silverlight applications using .NET and Silverlight 2 Beta 2 and for creating Silverlight 1.0 Web sites with Visual Studio 2008. This install also installs the Silverlight 2 Beta 2 Runtime and the Silverlight 2 Beta 2 SDK. Visual Studio 2008 Standard or above is required.

Expression Studio 2
Includes Expression design tools, Expression Blend, Design, Encoder, Web, and Media.

Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 Software Development Kit
Download this SDK to create Silverlight Web experiences that target Silverlight 1.0. The SDK contains documentation and samples, together with templates for Visual Studio.