Optimize Visual Studio performance
Applies to: 
Visual Studio 
Visual Studio for Mac
Note
This article applies to Visual Studio 2017. If you're looking for the latest Visual Studio documentation, see Visual Studio documentation. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of Visual Studio. Download it here
This article provides some suggestions to try if you find that Visual Studio is running slowly. You can also take a look at Visual Studio performance tips and tricks for more suggestions on how to improve performance.
Upgrade Visual Studio
If you're currently using an earlier version of Visual Studio, such as Visual Studio 2017 or Visual Studio 2019, download Visual Studio 2022 for free to check out its improved performance. Solutions load much faster than in earlier versions, with performance improvements in other areas too. You can install Visual Studio on a computer that has an earlier or later version of Visual Studio already installed. For more information, see Install Visual Studio versions side-by-side.
If you're already using Visual Studio 2017, make sure you're running version 15.6 or later. Data shows that solutions load up to two or three times faster in version 15.6. Download it here. For more information, see the Load solutions faster with Visual Studio 2017 version 15.6 blog post.
Extensions and tool windows
You might have extensions installed that slow Visual Studio down. For help on managing extensions to improve performance, see Change extension settings to improve performance.
Similarly, you might have tool windows that slow Visual Studio down. For help on managing tool windows, see Change tool window settings to improve performance.
Hardware
If you're thinking about upgrading your hardware, a solid state drive (SSD) has more effect on performance than additional RAM or a faster CPU.
If you do add an SSD, for optimal performance install Windows on that drive as opposed to a hard disk drive (HDD). The drive location of your Visual Studio solutions doesn't seem to matter as much.
Additionally, don't run your solution from a USB drive. Copy it to your HDD or SSD.
Help us improve
Your feedback helps us improve. Use the Report a Problem feature to “record” a trace and send to us. Select Help > Send Feedback > Report a Problem from the menu bar. For more information, see How to report a problem with Visual Studio.