Windows 7: System has slowed considerable_apparent unlaunched 'searches' running

Today my system seems to be running with a will of it's own. If I right click on say any item in Documents...system freezes with a little blue circle circling endlessly. Have to kill task in Task Manager to free system again.

Also...as attached jpg shows...if I open Libraries...I get the top explorer bar with a green bar running across...and the little searches 'glass' revolving around the left column items...again...have to end task to get back to normal ?

Any idea's on what's causing this and how to get back to normal ?

TiminAz

Work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 starting with the hardware tests.

Keep us posted on results as there may be additional steps indicated.

Thanks...what a great all-inclusive list to keep handy! Seems tho my issue in the original post has been solved (I think)

Seems sometime in the last few days I 'activated' indexing on this PC. For some reason this proved to be the culprit explaining why I was having such sudden problems..

After disabling indexing and restarting...my right clicks are back to normal and no more forever-running green bar running across the top address line when accessing explorer/libraris..etc !!

However...since I love to tinker with the machines...I will save the link for your comprehensive 'trouble shooting' and start thru them on the next rainy/boring day

Thanks much....TiminAz

It isn't a good thing that you can't use indexing. All Windows 7 features should work instantaneously on adequate hardware with a perfect install as shown in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

That said, editing Visual Effects of animations, fading, sliding, dragging intact and selection rectangle can claw back performance on lower ram PC's, as shown in Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums