Increase your VS compile speed

To increase your VS compile speed:

• Install Microsoft hotfix 935225.
• Install Microsoft hotfix 947315.
• Use a true multicore processor (ie. an Intel Core Duo 2; not a Pentium 4 HT).
• Use 3 parallel builds. In Visual Studio 2005, you will find the option in Tools > Options... > Projects and Solutions > Build and Run > maximum number of parallel project builds.
• Defragment your hard drive regularly.
• Disable virtual memory.

Visual studio IDE

Visual studio is a pretty awesome IDE, but sometimes you just wish it would go faster.

Here's a list. All of these can be accessed on Tools->Options menu:

1. Disable F1. (Environment->Keyboard) This is probably the best advice that I found somewhere.
2. Disable "Animate environment tools" (Environment->General).
3. Disable Start Page (Environment->Startup).
4. Disable "Track Active Item in Solution Explorer" (Projects and Solutions).
5. Disable Navigation Bar (Text Editor->C#). I think this is available for every language.
6. Set "AutoToolboxPopulate" to false (Windows Forms Designer).
7. You can set the Code view as the default view when viewing Windows Forms. Just right-click on the cs file and select "Open With...".
8. Open Visual Studio using the command line (devenv) rather than using the Start menu. I don't know why but I notice it loads faster.
9. Turn off Track Changes. (Text Editor->Track changes)

Basically I just customized John Lam's settings. It's very minimal.

And also you can use ScottGu's Blog tips.