Is there a free development tool for Windows?

Question

Programming

You need to write a simple program that will register at startup, hang in the tray, regularly knock on the site's database on MySQL and inform the employee that he needs to somehow respond to this or that event. You may need to program a simple GUI interface.
Under Windows, I wrote a lot in 1997-2001 in Visual C ++, MFC. In recent years, I have been writing PHP for my own needs. Now the microsoft website has climbed www.microsoftstore.com/store/msru/ru_RU/pdp/Visual... - they are almost 20,000 rubles. want for Visual Studio. It’s a lot, somehow, taking into account the fact that I’m still not sure if I can write and implement what I have planned.
I do not use stolen because of my convictions. Please tell me what other options are free, well, or cheaper. Let's say up to 5000r.
I heard there were programs for developers under Windows, where you could get licensed software for two years if you plan to release a program under windows. Now I can't find anything from them.

Answer 1

Look at Qt
Not only Windows, there are licenses of different prices (including free ones)

Answer 2

Use Qt , it has a good Qt Creator environment, good cross-platform and performance, great community, very good documentation .
Works with MySQL and other databases. There is a ready-made component for the tray .

Answer 3

www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/Default.aspx