Temporary Decrease in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in Windows Explorer

The information in this article applies to:

           Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

           Microsoft Windows XP Professional

           Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1

           Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1

           Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1a

           Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1a

SYMPTOMS

In Windows Explorer, when you right-click a file or folder, you may experience any of the following behavior:

           Any file copy operation that is occurring at that time may appear to stop responding.

           Network connection speed may significantly decrease.

           All streaming input/output operations such as listening to music on Windows Media Player may become distorted.

CAUSE

When you right-click a file or folder in Windows Explorer, the CPU usage goes to 100 percent while the shortcut menu is displayed. It returns to the correct level when the shortcut menu is closed.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1

Turn off the transition effects for menus and ToolTips. To do this, follow these steps:

1.                   Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2.                   In Control Panel, double-click Display.

3.                   In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab.

4.                   On the Appearance tab, click Effects.

5.                   In the Effects dialog box, click to clear the Use the following transition effect for menus and tooltips check box, and then click OK two times.

Method 2

Click the folder or file that you want (select it) before you right-click it to display the shortcut menu.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.