The only anti-virus I run is Windows Defender that comes with Windows 8.1


>Hi Mike,
>
>coming in late (and more from java/Eclipse than VS for doggy behaviour to fix):
>the SSD recs from Craig and Al would be my top item as well, adding more RAM the next. I7 is better than Phenom, but Phenom is less outclassed in compile/VS than other tasks. I'd add spliting OS and project into different physical disks (both SSD if budget allows it).
>
>On the crippling effect of malware detection nowadays: in one area I work we have VM's with no malware detection at all but internet access disabled. Downloading things we have to use a different VM and looking things up we use the machine MSTSC'ing into that server. If you have large SSD's perhaps try a VM for VS with only a firewall or - for minimally more speed and much better security - VM network card mosty disabled. THis is getting so stupid it is starting to make sense ;-)
>
>HTH
>
>thomas