However, Microsoft is not really in a position now to dictate what developers "should" be using Windows/Visual Studio for. Microsoft's developer tools have bee

However, Microsoft is not really in a position now to dictate what developers "should" be using Windows/Visual Studio for. Microsoft's developer tools have been a fairly lucrative part of their business. They are entirely within their rights, and with a robust, well-justified business case, segmenting the way they do. I would love to have everything for free as well, but the real world doesn't always work that way. Intel sells their compiler suite for $1000 or so, it's worth noting. All so you can buy their chips.