Word doc file attachments in Outlook 2003 open very slowly.

[Guest]

I have used Office 2003 on the same Windows XP PC for over two years with
Outlook for email (Word as email editor). Recently, when I receive emails
with either Word doc files or Excel xls files as attachments and try to open
them, they take 20 or 30 seconds to open (they used to open nearly
instantly). Also, when I receive an email with a web page link and try to
open it, Outlook hangs up then closes. Is there a fix for this problem?

I have always used Norton Antivirus (and tried disabling autoprotect -
didn't help).

 

[William Lefkovics [MVP]]

Fully patched?
Office 2003 sp2 and Windows XP sp2?

 

[Guest]

Yes, I installed the Office 2003 sp2 yesterday and Windows XP sp2 some time
ago (I have automatic windows update notifications and stay current).

Observation: I tried de-fragmenting my hard drive (even though it was 0%
fragmented -it takes 3 to 4 hours to run). I then started Outlook 2003 and
opened an email with a Word doc attachment, the doc file opened with only a
slight delay. I then opened a second email with a Word doc attachment, the
doc file took 20 to 30 seconds to open. When the files are saved and opened
directly from Word, there is no delay.

thanks, Jefferson

 

[William Lefkovics [MVP]]

I have automatic windows update notifications and stay current

Excellent.

I would test also without antivirus running to eliminate that as the
culprit.
Hopefully someone else will contribute farther.