Compiler switches?

[Boogahed]

I'm compiling using MSVC6 SP4.
Although everything compiles ok, my exe files are somewhat larger than the binary distribution versions. I am setting the active configuration to "release", not "debug". I'm wondering if there are some optimization settings I'm not aware of or perhaps the binary distro was produced with a different compiler.

Also when using my compiled versions of World.exe and ZoneNT.exe, the server crashes every time someone interacts with a NPC. Everything else seems to work fine.

I'm interested in hearing how others using MSVC are doing it.
Thanks.