Explorer pauses when right clicking on file

[Doug]

If I'm connected to the Internet (maybe just have NIC
connected), and I right click on a file, explorer pauses
(hangs) for several seconds - sometimes more, sometimes
less, maybe as much as a minute.

Observations:
* Doesn't seem to do it if file has no extension.
* Same behavior when opening the file (double-clicking).
* No delay if drag file to it's program instead of double
clicking.
* Network icon in system tray shows activity.
* Takes extra long time if connected to Virtual Private
Network (VPN)

It appears to be timing out trying to access the Internet
for something. But why would explorer acces the Internet
just because I right-click on a file?

Any ideas?

Thanks
Doug

 

[Kaylene aka Taurarian]

Not sure if this is relevant

Problem:
Right clicking on a file in Windows Explorer causes 100% CPU utilization on
Windows XP. This only happens on files that have not been selected first with a
left mouse click. This problem is reproducible on Pentium 3 and Pentium 4
machines of varying speed, does not happen on Pentium 2 systems.

Workaround:
Go to: Control Panel > Display > Appearance Tab > Effects Button and *disable*
(uncheck) the transition effects....

 

[Guest]

Thanks It sure sounds similar. But, it didn't help :
( The
interesting thing is that it isn't high CPU usage. It
appears to be hanging waiting for a network event. But,
for the life of me, I can't figure out why file explorer
would access the network just because I right-click on a
file. I ran AdAware and Spybot but they report all is
well.

 

[Kaylene aka Taurarian]

Certainly an interesting one, hope you find the solution and post back in case
others experience the same problem.

 

[Peter Hutchison]

If I'm connected to the Internet (maybe just have NIC
connected), and I right click on a file, explorer pauses
(hangs) for several seconds - sometimes more, sometimes
less, maybe as much as a minute.

Observations:
* Doesn't seem to do it if file has no extension.
* Same behavior when opening the file (double-clicking).
* No delay if drag file to it's program instead of double
clicking.
* Network icon in system tray shows activity.
* Takes extra long time if connected to Virtual Private
Network (VPN)

It appears to be timing out trying to access the Internet
for something. But why would explorer acces the Internet
just because I right-click on a file?

Any ideas?

I know of a built in delay before you can load the Start menu after
booting up. I'm not sure if this also applies to pop up menus as well.

You can reduce the delay by modifying the following registry value at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\MenuShowDelay and change value
of 400 to a slighly lower figure eg 300.

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/

 

[Guest]

Doug or anyone else

I too have been experiencing the problem that Doug reports, namely, "Explorer pauses when right clicking on file". I experience this everytime I connect to a network. If my computer is off a network, Windows explorer works as it normally should. Have been struggling to find a solution for 3 months.