For silent install, I use vs_setup.msi. To get it is a bit tricky, here's how you do it:

1. Download vcs_web.exe from microsoft.com

2. Unpack vcs_web.exe

3. Open baseline.dat with any text editor

4. Under [vs_setup.dll] you find the URL-Paramter (something like that: URL=fwlink/?LinkId=165113

5. Go to go.microsoft.com\fwlink\?LinkId=165113 (switch 165113 for the correct ID from the baseline.dat)

6. Download ixpvcs.exe

7. Unpack it and use vs_setup.msi for silent installation

Necessary Parameters:

vsextui=1 (makes the .msi think it has been run from the .exe. Without this, you get an error)

PIDKEY= (you need this to give your Registration Key to the Installer

This also works for all other Instances of Microsoft Visual Studio Express

If you cannot open .NET 4.0 or 4.5 Projects, you also have to install Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Multi-Targeting Pack

msiexec /i NetFx_DTP.msi EXTUI=1