Forum Discussion
The New option in the Windows 10 desktop context menu is slow to respond
When I right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select New, the submenu takes 2–3 seconds to appear, and the desktop freezes briefly during that time.
I’ve tried clearing the right-click menu extensions and restarting File Explorer, but the problem persists. It becomes even more noticeable after installing a large number of programs.
3 Replies
Windows scans for available drives when building the "New" menu, and slow network or disconnected drives can cause hangs.
People have had success fixing this by uninstalling certain apps that come with Windows. The main culprit was often the Kodi app from the Microsoft Store, but other apps like Groove Music, Sketch, Photos, and Wallet have also been linked to the issue. If you have any of these or other UWP apps you don't use, try uninstalling them to see if it helps.
Hi ArthurPark, that delay is often caused by a bad or slow ShellNew entry, not just normal right-click extensions. I’d check the file types registered under the New menu and look for old programs that left templates or handlers behind, then test in a clean boot to see whether a third-party app is still hooking Explorer.
