Which free C++ compiler?

[ocabj]

Windows environment? I use Cygwin with the GNU compiler. But then again, I don't really write stuff in C++ for the Windows API and .NET.

[yellowsulphur]

I like using the Eclipse IDE. It's open source and there are many tutorials online on how to install the compiler of your choice. I use Python so I can't help out much on C. Goodluck.

[Dreaded Claymore]

So, I am going to work through a book titled "Learn C++ By Making Games," to teach myself C++.

But, I will of course need a compiler. I downloaded Microsoft Visual C++ Express, but I don't know how to make it compile a program from source code. Learning a new programming language will be hard enough without learning a complex application along with it.

My PC is running Windows 7, and it has a 64-bit Intel processor if that matters.

Can anyone recommend a free, beginner-friendly C++ compiler?