My XP machine is very slow in opening files when double clicked. It is getting slower and slower. I have checked Control Panel\File Options\File Types and the "flashlight" searches for about the same amount of time it takes to open a file that is double clicked before it displays Registered File Types.

Anyone had this same problem?

XP Professional Service Pack 3
I am running Avast and routinely run Adaware and Spybot.

Ran Ccleaner no change.

1024 RAM and 8GB on C: drive. Programs run fine. Files opened within a program open immediately. Only double clicked files in Windows Explorer are slow (about 1 minute) opening.

Also right click to work with a file, cut, copy, or any of the operations available when a file is right clicked in a folder has the long time (1 minute or more)delay in opening.

Try turning "Indexing" off. See what happens then

Wow! Some good suggestions. Ran ShellExView but did not see anything unusual. Did turn off some ITunes stuff just for test but no change.

Indexing was on Manual. Set it to disabled anyway but still no change in the problem. In fact I think it is getting slower.

My worst fear is that Windows XP is dying. Really don't want to reinstall XP and go through that hassel.
Still looking for some answers.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I am learning new things from all of you.

k9, here is Hijack This.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:53:43 PM, on 6/21/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16674)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb07.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia\RemCtrl\ATIX10.exe
C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\InstantCDDVD\InstantWrite\iwctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia\MAIN\ATISched.EXE
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Shared Files\InstantCDDVD\PCLETray.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\PrintKey2000\Printkey2000.exe
C:\OPLIMIT\ocrawr32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVCOMSER\LVComSer.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\SkypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm11.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\LQCVFX\COCIManager.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = ftp=ftp:21;http=http:80;https=https:443
F3 - REG:win.ini: load=C:\OPLIMIT\ocraware.exe
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.0.1225.9868\swg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD04] "C:\Program Files\HP Photosmart 11\hphinstall\UniPatch\hphupd04.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon04] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb07.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\UpdaterUI.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\isuspm.exe" -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InCD] C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sony Ericsson PC Suite] "D:\BkVpCopy\Application Launcher\Application Launcher.exe" /startoptions
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.0\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCommunicationsManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechQuickCamRibbon] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\QuickCam\Quickcam.exe" /hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P17Helper] Rundll32 P17.dll,P17Helper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Name of App] C:\Program Files\SAMSUNG\FW LiveUpdate\FWManager.exe r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [UPSMON] C:\PROGRA~1\BELKIN~1\UPSMON.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ATI Remote Control] C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia\RemCtrl\ATIX10.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IW_Drop_Icon] C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\InstantCDDVD\InstantWrite\iwctrl.exe /DropDisc
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ATI Scheduler] C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia\MAIN\ATISched.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [InstantTray] C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Shared Files\InstantCDDVD\PCLETray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Creative Detector] "C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Detector\CTDetect.exe" /R
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NBJ] "C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero BackItUp\NBJ.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: AutorunsDisabled
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Printkey2000.lnk = C:\Program Files\PrintKey2000\Printkey2000.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra button: ATI TV - {44226DFF-747E-4edc-B30C-78752E50CD0C} - C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia\tv\EXPLBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search && Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.kinseywarrenphotography.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.msn.com
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://photo.walgreens.com/WalgreensActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {49232000-16E4-426C-A231-62846947304B} (SysData Class) - http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/rdqna.....ysinfo.cab
O16 - DPF: {4B9F2C37-C0CF-42BC-BB2D-DCFA8B25CABF} - http://zone.msn.com/bingame/ro.....oader1.cab
O16 - DPF: {67A5F8DC-1A4B-4D66-9F24-A704AD929EEE} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/.....eqlab2.cab
O16 - DPF: {CAA057EE-809B-48E4-BE9C-367C32486C0D} (Crystal Print Control 10.0) - https://www.classbsf.org/crystalreportviewers10/ActiveXControls/PrintControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} - http://zone.msn.com/bingame/di.....der_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/su2/CT...../CTPID.cab
O16 - DPF: {FA91DF8D-53AB-455D-AB20-F2F023E498D3} (RSClientPrint Class) - https://www.classbsf.org/Reserved.ReportViewerWebControl.axd?ReportSession=4pdtkkesmojb4f55ygwwjp21&ControlID=53a42925e1c8423798e8ad2a94e1f6e3&Culture=1033&UICulture=1033&ReportStack=1&OpType=PrintCab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Ahead Software AG - C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LVSrvLauncher - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\SrvLnch\SrvLnch.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Protection Against Spyware (PcScnSrv) - Unknown owner - (no file)
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPH11 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm11.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - NetGroup - Politecnico di Torino - C:\Program Files\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Real-time Service (Tmntsrv) - Trend Micro Inc. - (no file)
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Personal Firewall (TmPfw) - Trend Micro Inc. - (no file)
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Proxy Service (tmproxy) - Trend Micro Inc. - (no file)

--
End of file - 13314 bytes

You have way too many processes running. Try killing the processes that you are not using. Anyways, the process Rundll32.exe looks suspicious. Open your task manager, end the process and check if it reappears again. If it does then Rundll32.exe is the one creating the problem.

Please do check up what all programs are starting up. You have to remove unnecessary processes from starting up when windows boots up since they will only slow down your system.

Bryan,
Rundll32.exe should be running.
Your problem is a bit messy and takes about 8 hours to fix properly.
I STRONGLY recommend beginning with a CLEAN INSTALL from a XP-SP3 slipstream CD.
Search for "XP slipstream" on the net to find detailed How To's.
Then install only the drivers, programs and their updates you really need.
After this, you will have +/- about 300 registry errors which is normal in any registry so you will need a good Registry Cleaner such as jv16 power tools 2008, or XYZ, etc.. These types of good registry cleaner programs are NOT free.
If you do NOT wish to CLEAN INSTALL, you can try to UN-INSTALL some of the programs you really don't need.
Your Registry will still be a real mess but the un-install may speed up your machine some.
Go here http://www.sysinternals.com and download FREE program called Autoruns. This program will REALLY show you what is going on in your machine and help you fix start-up programs, BHOs, and the like.
To give you a simple very non tech answer of what stubs are, think of them as a pieces of code on a thread waiting to fire up the remaining code that will run a full program. They have to be refreshed just as all memory has to be refreshed continuously. Everything going on in your machine, whether hidden or not, is stealing CPU clock cycles and deteriorating machine performance. My E-mail address is on website in my profile.

Regards,
Rick P.

An experiment:

Task Manager: 42 processes running - performance screen PF Usage 362MB - Physical Mem Avail 596692 K
No Apps running. CPU Usage 3%

Task Manager: 28 Processes running - performance screen PF Usage 240MB - Physical Mem Avail 714912 K
No Apps running. CPU Usage 1%

Opened Windows Exoplorer.
Task Manager: 29 Processes running - performance screen PF Usage 312MB - Physical Mem Avail 704183 K
1 folder open. CPU Usage 1%

Double clicked 24KB .doc file. CPU Usage went to 7% immediately back to 1%. In application window the clicked file went to "Not Responding" for 65 seconds the CPU Usage jumped to 14% when the file opened then back to 1%. The Physical Mem Avail went to 701688 K.

With only System process and a couple of other necessary processes running the double clicked file still required over a minute to open.

With the full 42 processes running, all other functions of the computer run with good speed. exe files open lightning fast. I can edit and create movies from avi files and burn to DVD with ease and good burning speed. I just cannot double click a file from Windows Explorer and have it open in less than the minute.