Right click on desktop (context menu) is slow

I went to http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm and used Method 1. By deleting the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\NvCplDesktopContext key from the registry the problem went completely away. Of course, this changed the desktop right click menu as well. 

A few notes.

1. Make sure you backup the registry or at least the keys you are changing before you make any changes to the registry. I backed up HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers (using Export from the registry editor) and saved it on my desktop. I then started deleting context handlers until the problem went away. I then restored all of the deleted registry keys and deleted just the one that was causing problems.
2. Method 1 describes several different types of registry keys that may need to be deleted to handle different kinds of problems. Since my problem was with right clicking on the desktop, I deleted keys in HKCR\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.
3. I tried Method 2 first (it's easier). However, Method 2 simply failed. I disabled every shell extension in the system with no results. Later when I knew exactly what shell extension was causing the problem, I disabled just that one. Nothing happened. Sadly, ShellExView is an amazing tool, but didn't work in my case.
4. Note that the NirSoft WhatIsHang tool failed in this case as well. For whatever reason, it never detected any hanging applications or tools even when right click took 30 seconds.

Hope this helps...

GOT IT!

I don't know what it is exactly yet, but I downloaded a thing called autoruns.exe and ran it (as admin).

It showed me all of the context menu options out there. My problem was either Norton 360, WinZip or Corel Photo draw. After they were disabled, it worked GREAT.

Next I will re enable these one at a time and find the offender and get that software reloaded/updated or just junk it.

This software also showed some of the old junk I was still running, like gadgets for WinZip, Groove and other stuff I haven't touched for years. I highly recommend a good clean up!

UPDATE--- The verdict is IN! It was the context menu handler for my Seagate Replica drive. It is disabled and I am running GREAT again!

I'm having the same exact issue on Windows 8.1.. Brand new computer too..

There is definitely an issue some place.

Thanks for taking this on!

It has been a problem for a while and I can't put an exact date on it. I have uninstalled and reinstalled all of my third party stuff (a long overdue clean up); to no avail.

Clean boot has the same issue. So do all of the other accounts.

The SFC scan reports that it is clean.

I have checked the registry context menu entries and rebuilt my indexes. The Recycle Bin and system icons on the desktop right click just fine, all of the others taks 5 - 10 minutes to come up. There is nothing in the event viewer. If I try to do anything else on the computer, the explorer will crash and restart.

Any ideas other than starting fresh?

Hi MarkBaumbach,

Thank you for choosing Windows 8 and for providing us an opportunity to assist you.

I understand that right click on desktop is slow. I will try to help you with this.

1)      Have you made any changes prior to the issue?

Step 1: Boot the computer in Safe mode with Networking and check if the issue persists. Follow the article to start the computer in safe mode.

Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

Step 2: Perform a clean boot and check for the issue.

Putting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

Clean boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow the “Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state” in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.

Step 3: Try to perform a system file checker (SFC) scan.

System File Checker Tool will try to help you in fixing all the corrupted files and folders in the computer.

a. Type “cmd” on the Start screen.

b. Right-click on it and select “Run as administrator”.

c. Type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Please post back if you are still experiencing the issue. I will be glad to provide you with the additional options available that you can utilize to get the issue resolved.