What is the difference between Msdn Library and Windows SDK?

Question

Is it necessary for me to install both msdn library and windows SDK in the same computer?

Answer 1

MSDN library is the documentation. The SDK is the software development kit. Course you'll find some code examples in MSDN (lots actually) and some docs in the SDK (again lots)

Answer 2

are you a programmer? if not...no need to install it.

If you are,  MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) as the word suggests is a developer centre where you can find Softwares developed by microsoft. They provide technical support and help developers to develop their client softwares using Microsoft developed softwares (visual studio,asp.net etc).

Developers also can help develop the software to be more efficient.

If you are a programmer you can subscribe to MSDN to get developer tool to enhance you skills.

MS Windows SDK (software development kit) contains all tools, libraries, sample files to work upon, so that you can independently  develop Applications for yourself hitherto for microsoft as well. you can develop applications for Operating system. for eg .their comes a SDK to develop Windows narrator under dot net framework.