The IDE was built entirely around .NET Framework 1.1. This update fixed numerous bugs from version 1.0, improved security protocols, and added native support for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). It also introduced robust data connectivity options through ADO.NET. The Rise of C# 1.2

If you're finding it challenging to work with Visual Studio 2003, consider exploring alternative IDEs, such as:

If you absolutely must run the IDE natively on a modern Windows OS: Right-click the setup.exe file. Select and navigate to the Compatibility tab.

Install a clean image of inside the virtual machine.