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Temporary Decline 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
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition

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 are degraded. For example, streaming audio over Windows Media Player becomes 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. CPU usage 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:
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click Display, and then click the Appearance tab.
On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
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.