NuGet Package Restore Speed Improvement with Windows Dev Drive

This article explores how moving the NuGet global package cache to a Windows Dev Drive can improve .NET build performance. Inspired by a podcast tip, the author tests the impact on restore times using the nopCommerce solution. The setup involves changing the globalPackagesFolder in NuGet.Config to point to a Dev Drive. Cold restore measurements are taken before and after the change, with raw timing data showing potential speed gains. The article explains why Dev Drive helps with file-I/O heavy workloads like package caching, while noting that network-bound restores may not benefit. It includes test methodology, configuration steps, and initial measurement results.