In this package, the 5th edition will be shipped with a CDROM containing Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express. Students and lab managers will be able to download MASM 8.0 from the Microsoft Web site (part of the Windows Vista SDK). The two products work together very well, and instructions are available on my Web site that explain how to set things up. Go to http://asmirvine.com, and select "Getting started".