Windows had a C++ compiler and IDE for more than two decades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_C%2B%2B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Vis

Windows had a C++ compiler and IDE for more than two decades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_C%2B%2B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_C%2B%2B There was a time when it was not free but it was a very very long time ago. At this stage in history, the internet didn't exist and it was commonplace to pay for the shipping of a floppy or a CD. I don't know the price tag but it may or may not be considered free by today's standard.