Visual Studio: default settings

Answer 1

For tab settings and whatnot, you can use the Tools -> Import and Export Settings to create a standard settings file that you could check into source control. Any new developers could pull that and import it into their Visual Studio settings.

Answer 2

For #1, you can easily set up one Visual Studio environment, and then use the Import/Export Settings (under the Tools menu) to save a settings file that can be loaded into everyone's environment.

For #2, you could try creating a project template, so that whenever someone created a new project, they could use that template and it would include those items automatically.

Answer 3

For 1 a novel approach would be to use Microsoft's Live Mesh Sync VS Settings with Live Mesh. It would be an easy way to keep all your developers using the same VS settings, although I could see that causing problems once individuals start customising to their own tastes.