Explorer Taking Very Long After Right Click or Click On Menu Bar

[NewW7User]

Right-clicking in an open folder to open the right-click menu or trying to open FILE dropdown menu take an inordinate amount of time to do either one - about 20-30 seconds. This happens with all folders, whether on the C-Disk or on a removable USB disk. Once I get either dropdown menu, it works normally for a while (a few minutes). But if there is a few minutes pause before I need either menu again, once again Windows waits before it responds.

It seems - but I am not at all certain - that this started after I installed a Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB for the C-Disk, though that may be a red herring.

 

[MrBrinjal]

Same for me, but the issue happens when I am trying to open a memory-consuming program, or when Windows boots up.
Can't find a solution, though

 

[NewW7User]

Thanks MrBrinjal. It's good to know it's not just me and something wrong that I'm doing.

 

[RolandJS]

I have the same set of problems, or very similar at least. I don't think it is anything we have done or are doing. I'm suspecting 3rd party utilities either hogging their monitoring and reporting, or, they are squabbling in the background over who does what.

 

[Alejandro85]

I've frequently experienced the same, even with a SSD, displaying menus in Explorer is notably slow.

Not a definitive answer, but here are a few things to review:
Check what shell extensions you have installed. Those that add items to the context menu can sometimes delay menu responsiveness.
Check for other programs running in the backgroud, that can cause a lot of disk activity.
Antiviruses can often cause delays in pretty much everything, including showing their options in Explorer.

 

[RolandJS]

Alejandro85, thanks for the reminders! I will over time look at those things.

 

[file3456]

I have never had this behavior. LOL Sorry.


There are two possible reasons:


1) The drive or drives are bad. First check the SMART data from the drive with CrystalDiskInfo. You just need the standard version. Download – Crystal Dew World


If SMART checks out then try Hard Disk Sentinel. Hard Disk Sentinel (standard): HDD health and temperature monitoring


In Hard Disk Sentinel try a non-destructive read test. DO NOT do a write test which will mess up your data. Only use that method on a drive via a SATA cable that you don't have important data on.


2) A possible process or service is interfering with explorer or the hard drive. Run Autoruns and see if you have stuff starting up that shouldn't. If you find something then use Revouninstaller to uninstall it. Careful with registry deletions. If the keys aren't related to the program or you just don't know then skip them.



Revo Uninstaller Free - Remove unwanted programs easily


Autoruns for Windows - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs


If you want me to have a look at your Autoruns entries, then go to File and save the ARN file. Zip the ARN file and upload here.



Another option is to run WhySoSlow. Resplendence Software - WhySoSlow


3) It could be the SATA controller. Do you have the RST (Rapid Storage Technology) driver installed for the hard drive? If so, uninstall it once and see if that changes anything.

 

[RolandJS]

Got it! Will reinstall WhySoSlow and run it...
I already have HardDisk Sentinel license version running always and reports once in the morning.
I've had the license version of HDS for a few years now.