diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3c0fd69618
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Which files and directories are safe to ignore
+#
+
+# Visual Studio project files
+*.user
+*.ncb
+*.suo
+
+# Visual Studio build directories
+/win_build/Build/
+
+# Installshield build directories
+/win_build/installerv2/BOINC
+/win_build/installerv2/BOINCx64