PRB: Visual C++ IDE Slows When Files Are in Many Directories

While working in Visual C++ on a project with source files in many directories, the performance of the IDE may appear to be slow or non-responsive.

This can happen if you have your source files spread across 63 or more directories on FAT or FAT32 partitions. The method that Visual C++ uses to get file change notifications scans source files in the 63rd and above directories every 5 seconds.

Some possible resolutions are:

• If your operating system is Windows NT or Windows 2000, place all of your source files on an NTFS partition.NOTE: If the project is on an NTFS partition, Developer Studio scans a single file so the amount of activity should be significantly less.
  
  
• Place your source files in less than 63 directories.
  
• Reduce the number of source files in the 63rd and above directories.

This behavior is by design.