Why WinXP SP2 folder right click hangs (stops responding) hourglass

[Tony Susa]

Why would Windows XP SP2 hang on right click a folder in the explorer?

For a few weeks now, even after many reboots and malware scans, my Windows
XP SP2 system hangs for minutes whenever I right click on a folder on any
NTFS drive on the laptop. The eggtimer houglass comes up and nothing
happens for many minutes, even when the folder contains almost no files or
even no files whatsoever. Windows XP SP2 hangs even if I first left mouse
button select the folder, and then right click on it instead of just
rightclicking on the folder without selecting it.

Inexplicably, after the computer is in operation for an hour or so
(typically after a few of these rightclick eggtimer events), the right
click response time returns to normal. Until the next reboot and the cycle
begins anew. A right click works fine in applications, e.g., in Internet
Explorer or Microsoft Word, etc. And a right click on a file works fine.
Just right clicking on folders causes the interminable delay in the first
few hous of use. It's so frustrating!

Googling for advice, I ran the suggested "chkdsk /r" but to no avail.
Further following google advice, I right clicked on a blank area of the
desktop and immediately up came the context menu where I selected
Properties > Appearance > Effects which had the following settings:
[#]Use the following tansition effect for menus and tooltips
[Fade effect]
[#]Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts
[Standard]
[ ]Use large icons
[ ]Show shadows under menus
[#]Show window contents while dragging
[#]Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt
key

Note this same selection can be accessed without a right click using the
Control Panel > Display > Appearance tab > Effects button.

The right click slowness problem remains. I have no idea if a software
installation a month or more ago caused this problem but it may be worth
noting I don't have Hotbar or Xupiter installed.

Still following google advice, went to the control panel, selected folder
options, clicked on the view tab, and unchecked "automatically search for
network folders and printers". Still, the right click hanging problem
remained.

It seems a right click on the desktop and on a file work instantaneously
but a right click on any arbitrary folder (of any size) on any disk takes
many minutes to respond for the first hour or two of operation after a
reboot. Is this wierd or what?

I read the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 819101 titled "Temporary
Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in
Windows Explorer" (
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819101 ) which
seems to describe the exact problem I am seeing. But, the suggestions in
that Microsoft KB article didn't work and the cause wasn't explained. All
Microsoft says is "Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem". That's
not helpful.

Does anyone know how to stop these horrid WinXP rightclick hangs?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Tony,

See:

Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/208.htm#4

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

Why would Windows XP SP2 hang on right click a folder in the explorer?

For a few weeks now, even after many reboots and malware scans, my Windows
XP SP2 system hangs for minutes whenever I right click on a folder on any
NTFS drive on the laptop. The eggtimer houglass comes up and nothing
happens for many minutes, even when the folder contains almost no files or
even no files whatsoever. Windows XP SP2 hangs even if I first left mouse
button select the folder, and then right click on it instead of just
rightclicking on the folder without selecting it.

Inexplicably, after the computer is in operation for an hour or so
(typically after a few of these rightclick eggtimer events), the right
click response time returns to normal. Until the next reboot and the cycle
begins anew. A right click works fine in applications, e.g., in Internet
Explorer or Microsoft Word, etc. And a right click on a file works fine.
Just right clicking on folders causes the interminable delay in the first
few hous of use. It's so frustrating!

Googling for advice, I ran the suggested "chkdsk /r" but to no avail.
Further following google advice, I right clicked on a blank area of the
desktop and immediately up came the context menu where I selected
Properties > Appearance > Effects which had the following settings:
[#]Use the following tansition effect for menus and tooltips
[Fade effect]
[#]Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts
[Standard]
[ ]Use large icons
[ ]Show shadows under menus
[#]Show window contents while dragging
[#]Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt
key

Note this same selection can be accessed without a right click using the
Control Panel > Display > Appearance tab > Effects button.

The right click slowness problem remains. I have no idea if a software
installation a month or more ago caused this problem but it may be worth
noting I don't have Hotbar or Xupiter installed.

Still following google advice, went to the control panel, selected folder
options, clicked on the view tab, and unchecked "automatically search for
network folders and printers". Still, the right click hanging problem
remained.

It seems a right click on the desktop and on a file work instantaneously
but a right click on any arbitrary folder (of any size) on any disk takes
many minutes to respond for the first hour or two of operation after a
reboot. Is this wierd or what?

I read the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 819101 titled "Temporary
Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in
Windows Explorer" (
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819101 ) which
seems to describe the exact problem I am seeing. But, the suggestions in
that Microsoft KB article didn't work and the cause wasn't explained. All
Microsoft says is "Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem". That's
not helpful.

Does anyone know how to stop these horrid WinXP rightclick hangs?

 

[Tony Susa]

Desktop > Properties > Appearance > Effects which had the following settings:
[#]Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts

I forgot to mention that I had followed all the suggestions I found by
googling for this (apparently very common) rightclick problem which was to
turn OFF the "Desktop > Properties > Appearance > Effects > [OFF] Use the
following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" selection.

Still, my right clicks on foldes hang interminably.

Since this is so common and since Microsoft knows about it, one must assume
there is a troubleshooting guide somewhere?

Do you know how to determine what is causing right-click hanging?

Tony

 

[Tony Susa]

Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/208.htm#4

Hi Ramesh.

Wow, you're quick! Your web page accurately characterized the problem,
e.g.,
"When you right-click a file/folder, there may be a huge delay before
Windows displays the context menu."
and
"When you right-click a folder in the Start Menu and choose Open or
Explore, nothing may happen. (Whereas, it works fine in Windows Explorer.)"

It seems, from your web site, that "These problems are caused by a bad
context menu handler."

In your "Method 1" on page http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm you
list different keys for when the problem occurs with "File Folders" vs
"Folders" (as opposed to "Files"). My problem only occurs with folders.

QUESTION:
I (think I) know what a "folder" is, but what is a "file folder"?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Tony,
Follow Method 2 in that article, which is the easiest method.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[Tony Susa]

Do you know how to determine what is causing right-click hanging?

I should also note I tried to follow the instructions, to no avail, at
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=47560 which said to run:
Start > Run > SFC /scannow

I was VERY SORRY I tried this approach as seemingly hundreds of dialog
boxes kept popping up saying:

Windows File Protection:
Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the
DLL Cache. Insert your Windows XP Professional CD-ROM now. If you cancel,
Windows might require you to insert a CD later. Are you sure you want to
skip this file?

Problem is I never received a Windows XP CD-ROM as the machine came
pre-configured with a hidden recovery partition the only rebuild option.
There is no i386 directory that I can find in the "Search > For Files or
Folders" dialog.

So, for anyone else following this advice, here is my advice.
DO NOT RUN SFC unless you FIRST check to see if you have i386 handy!!!!!!

Tony

 

[Tony Susa]

Tony,
Follow Method 2 in that article, which is the easiest method.

OK, I'll follow your advice since you definately seem to know what you are
doing.

Here are existing value (before any new changes) of the registry keys:
HKCR\Folder\shellex\contextmenuhandlers
= {969223c0-26aa-11d0-90ee-444553540000}
= PropertiesPlus
= VirusScan
= WinZip

HKCR\Directory\shellex\contextmenuhandlers
= ACShell
= EncryptionMenu
= Offline Files
= Sharing
= VirusScan
= WinZip
= ZipGenius5

I wonder which one is the culprit (time will tell).

For the record, I think the hundreds of DLLs that SFC wants is due (maybe)
to the fact a month ago I changed all the dates on the machine to a single
date using setfiledate. Otherwise, I don't know why SFC is asking for so
many files (hundreds). BTW, SFC is a really really really dumb program.
After OK'ing a few hundred of these "Windows File Protection" dialogs,
you'd think it would have an "ok for all" button. But noooooo ....

Tony

 

[Vanguard]

OK, I'll follow your advice since you definately seem to know what you are
doing.

Here are existing value (before any new changes) of the registry keys:
HKCR\Folder\shellex\contextmenuhandlers
= {969223c0-26aa-11d0-90ee-444553540000}
= PropertiesPlus
= VirusScan
= WinZip

HKCR\Directory\shellex\contextmenuhandlers
= ACShell
= EncryptionMenu
= Offline Files
= Sharing
= VirusScan
= WinZip
= ZipGenius5

I wonder which one is the culprit (time will tell).

For the record, I think the hundreds of DLLs that SFC wants is due (maybe)
to the fact a month ago I changed all the dates on the machine to a single
date using setfiledate. Otherwise, I don't know why SFC is asking for so
many files (hundreds). BTW, SFC is a really really really dumb program.
After OK'ing a few hundred of these "Windows File Protection" dialogs,
you'd think it would have an "ok for all" button. But noooooo ....

Tony

Try using NirSoft's ShellExView which shows the shell extensions. It will
let you disable them. Obviously pick the ones that are not included in a
Windows install, like your anti-virus context menu items, WinZip, 3rd party
search tool, etc. NirSoft also has a ShellMenu utility that might help.

 

[Vanguard]

I should also note I tried to follow the instructions, to no avail, at
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=47560 which said to run:
Start > Run > SFC /scannow

I was VERY SORRY I tried this approach as seemingly hundreds of dialog
boxes kept popping up saying:

Windows File Protection:
Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the
DLL Cache. Insert your Windows XP Professional CD-ROM now. If you cancel,
Windows might require you to insert a CD later. Are you sure you want to
skip this file?

Problem is I never received a Windows XP CD-ROM as the machine came
pre-configured with a hidden recovery partition the only rebuild option.
There is no i386 directory that I can find in the "Search > For Files or
Folders" dialog.

So, for anyone else following this advice, here is my advice.
DO NOT RUN SFC unless you FIRST check to see if you have i386 handy!!!!!!

Tony

Ask your computer maker as to how you are to recover or restore your system.
They must provide a means of reinstalling or recovering Windows to actually
have provided a legal license for Windows. Could be a drive image which
sucks. Could be an install program. Might be in a hidden partition on the
hard drive. Might be on some restore CDs that came with the computer. You
didn't identify WHICH computer brand AND model that you use for anyone that
also has it or is familiar with it to tell you how to get at those i386
files.

 

[Jim]

QUESTION:
I (think I) know what a "folder" is, but what is a "file folder"?

The same thing.
Jim

 

[Guest]

When I see this, there's usually something pointing somewhere that no longer
exists.
Are all your desktop shortcuts functional?
Are all your printers pointing to existing printers?
Have you scanned for viruses?
Have you scanned for malware/spayware?
I also open My Network Places and delete the shortcuts that build up there.

If all your folders exibit this behavior, I would guess the problem is in a
common area, like the desktop.

Also, in System Properties, Advanced tab, Performance Settings (button), I
always turn off all Fade effects and Slide effects. These two effects tend to
cause a noticable lag with no real benefit.

The SFC command is only good if you have the Windows CD handy. The "i386" is
the folder on the CD with all the Windows installation files. If you Had a
virus, this command would force all your Windows files to get replaced with
CD versions.

Not only can a virus cause this behavior, but AntiVirus software can cause
this behavior. Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date. Or
uninstall/reinstall it.

JeffO

Why would Windows XP SP2 hang on right click a folder in the explorer?

For a few weeks now, even after many reboots and malware scans, my Windows
XP SP2 system hangs for minutes whenever I right click on a folder on any
NTFS drive on the laptop. The eggtimer houglass comes up and nothing
happens for many minutes, even when the folder contains almost no files or
even no files whatsoever. Windows XP SP2 hangs even if I first left mouse
button select the folder, and then right click on it instead of just
rightclicking on the folder without selecting it.

Inexplicably, after the computer is in operation for an hour or so
(typically after a few of these rightclick eggtimer events), the right
click response time returns to normal. Until the next reboot and the cycle
begins anew. A right click works fine in applications, e.g., in Internet
Explorer or Microsoft Word, etc. And a right click on a file works fine.
Just right clicking on folders causes the interminable delay in the first
few hous of use. It's so frustrating!

Googling for advice, I ran the suggested "chkdsk /r" but to no avail.
Further following google advice, I right clicked on a blank area of the
desktop and immediately up came the context menu where I selected
Properties > Appearance > Effects which had the following settings:
[#]Use the following tansition effect for menus and tooltips
[Fade effect]
[#]Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts
[Standard]
[ ]Use large icons
[ ]Show shadows under menus
[#]Show window contents while dragging
[#]Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt
key

Note this same selection can be accessed without a right click using the
Control Panel > Display > Appearance tab > Effects button.

The right click slowness problem remains. I have no idea if a software
installation a month or more ago caused this problem but it may be worth
noting I don't have Hotbar or Xupiter installed.

Still following google advice, went to the control panel, selected folder
options, clicked on the view tab, and unchecked "automatically search for
network folders and printers". Still, the right click hanging problem
remained.

It seems a right click on the desktop and on a file work instantaneously
but a right click on any arbitrary folder (of any size) on any disk takes
many minutes to respond for the first hour or two of operation after a
reboot. Is this wierd or what?

I read the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 819101 titled "Temporary
Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in
Windows Explorer" (
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819101 ) which
seems to describe the exact problem I am seeing. But, the suggestions in
that Microsoft KB article didn't work and the cause wasn't explained. All
Microsoft says is "Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem". That's
not helpful.

Does anyone know how to stop these horrid WinXP rightclick hangs?