(Windows 11) >1 minute persistent delay in launching most applications through start menu, run, file explorer, and shortcuts

When trying to launch all user applications and most system applications, there is a problematic delay before the executable file is ran. The applications in which there isn't a delay are ones which have a headless service already running in the background. Examples include Windows Settings, Windows Security (albeit the content panes are delayed in their startup), File Explorer, and Powershell.

The methods to launch apps that are accompanied with delay include the following: The Start Menu, double clicking an executable/shortcut file from the File Explorer GUI, Win key + R followed by typing the associated name (ex. services.msc), double clicking a executable/shortcut on the desktop.

The ways I've found in which I can launch apps without the delay: Using Powershell/Terminal to start an executable (whether by direct reference or through an entry in the path variable) and through certain apps' launching an unrelated app. An example of the latter method would be using Chrome and an application URI (ex. opening a new tab, searching calculator:// and pressing allow).

This is not an issue with computing power, storage (empty space or drive) issues, memory, or not having the latest device firmware for my laptop.

Running a Framework 13 laptop with an Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 165H and integrated Intel(R) Arc(TM) Graphics with an ssd that is 351GB/600GB filled as well as 32 GB of 5600 MT/S ram.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Launching with clean boot and attempting to launch applications (at any step of the process, still having delay)
• SFC /scannow
• DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
• DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
• chkdsk /f /r /x
• Windows Memory Diagnostic
• Reinstalling Windows via ISO media
• Disabling/enabling most permutations of Windows Security settings
• Running with no startup applications (already standard for me besides 1password)
• Disabling all services except for Microsoft ones
• The new Quick Machine Recovery thing (fails, saying something along the lines of it cannot restore startup health)
• Windows Update Troubleshooter (fails, saying the troubleshooter cannot launch)
• Testing using a new local secondary Windows administrator user account
• Resetting BIOS settings to default
• Resetting DCOM settings

It has been like this for half a month now and my patience is very much waning. I saw another q&a post that reported similar issues but their resolution was done in private.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Full MS info copy & paste.

OS Name	Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Version	10.0.26100 Build 26OS Name	Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Version	10.0.26100 Build 26100
Other OS Description 	Not Available
OS Manufacturer	Microsoft Corporation
System Name	FRAMEWORK
System Manufacturer	Framework
System Model	Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)
System Type	x64-based PC
System SKU	FRANPJCP08
Processor	Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 7 165H, 3800 Mhz, 16 Core(s), 22 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date	INSYDE Corp. 03.05, 5/23/2025
SMBIOS Version	3.6
Embedded Controller Version	255.255
BIOS Mode	UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer	Framework
BaseBoard Product	FRANMECP06
BaseBoard Version	A6
Platform Role	Mobile
Secure Boot State	Off
PCR7 Configuration	Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory	C:\WINDOWS
System Directory	C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device	\Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale	United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer	Version = "10.0.26100.1"
User Name	framework\Primary
Time Zone	Pacific Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)	32.0 GB
Total Physical Memory	31.4 GB
Available Physical Memory	22.5 GB
Total Virtual Memory	33.4 GB
Available Virtual Memory	25.0 GB
Page File Space	2.00 GB
Page File	C:\pagefile.sys
Kernel DMA Protection	On
Virtualization-based security	Not enabled
App Control for Business policy	Enforced
App Control for Business user mode policy	Off
Automatic Device Encryption Support	Elevation Required to View
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions	Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions	Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware	No
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection	Yes