MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes) is a framework provided by Microsoft to simplify the development of Windows applications. It is a C++ library that provides a set of classes for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs), handling user input, and managing resources. MFC is important to Windows developers as it offers a high-level abstraction for building Windows applications, allowing them to focus on the application's functionality rather than low-level Windows API calls.

To align MFC with the Windows environment, developers can use Microsoft Visual Studio, which provides a rich set of tools and features for MFC application development. Visual Studio includes a comprehensive set of wizards, designers, and code editors to streamline the development process.

Example: Creating a Simple MFC Application

1. Open Visual Studio and create a new project.
2. Select "Visual C++" and choose "MFC App" as the project template.
3. Enter a name and location for your project, and click "OK".
4. In the MFC Application Wizard, choose "Dialog based" as the application type.
5. Select the desired options for your application, such as support for ActiveX controls or database access.
6. Click "Finish" to create the project.

Visual Studio will generate the necessary code and project files for your MFC application. You can then start adding controls, implementing functionality, and customizing the user interface using the provided MFC classes and Visual Studio's design tools.

Note: If you are looking for alternatives to MFC in the Windows environment, you can consider other frameworks such as Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) or Universal Windows Platform (UWP). These frameworks offer modern and more flexible approaches to building Windows applications, with support for advanced UI features, data binding, and cross-platform development.