[Pc_Support] XP Slows After Right-Clicking Desktop

[Tim McDonough]

I have an XP Pro system that slows to a crawl after I right-click the 
desktop. The system functions without a hitch otherwise.

Once I right click the cursor is in the hour glass shape anytime the 
mouse is over the desktop. If application programs were already 
running they can still be accessed and they seem to respond normally 
as long as no additional windows need to be opened or resized. I 
cannot launch a new application.

If the PC is left untouched it never returns to normal or opens the 
desktop right-click menu. At least not within 30 minutes or so which 
is the longest I've waited before hitting the reset switch.

When in this condition the Task Manager (launched before I right 
click) shows only a couple of percent of CPU usage.

Of course I would love to repair this without spending hours reloading 
Windows and all my applications. Any suggestions?

Tim