You are starting a new project. Modern VB.NET (with Visual Studio 2022 Community) is vastly superior, supports Async/Await , and runs on .NET 6/7/8.
Visual Basic 2008 Express was significant because it introduced (Language Integrated Query) and offered a streamlined version of the full Visual Studio IDE. It bridged the gap between the complexity of professional enterprise tools and the simplicity needed by learners. It allowed users to create Windows Forms Applications (WPF was also emerging then) with a drag-and-drop interface that defined the "Rapid Application Development" (RAD) ethos of Visual Basic. visual basic express 2008 download
If you manage to secure a copy, be aware that modern hardware creates friction for this older software: You are starting a new project