Windows 10: 3-second lag when launching programs

UPDATE: Well, I suffered with this for a number of months, but the recent major update (2015/11/11) seems to have fixed it,
so case closed.

Hi, I'm an ex programmer and I just upgraded from Windows 8.1 to 10. I have a desktop with an Intel i5, and a Gigabyte motherboard based on the Z77 chipset.

I'm experiencing a 3 second lag every time I launch a program.

I have a hard on/off switch on my DSL, but the lag happens whether I'm connected or not. I've checked Event Viewer --nothing weird. I've used the internals program you probably know, AutoRuns, and found nothing weird. I've done a full scan using Windows Defender. I run EMET. I've done a sfc /scannow. I've done a chkdsk /r /x on C:.

The lag happens regardless of weather the session has run the program once or multiple times.

Yes it happens right after a restart.

And the kicker is, the lag is not quite consistent. This morning there was a stretch where there was no lag at all, and I was ready to declare the case closed. But now it's back. There was another stretch this evening. I wish I could remember everything I did.

I'm really hesistant to try to use ProcMon, just because of the reams of output it produces. I don't have 2 free days to comb thru it all, and that's assuming I know what I'm looking for.

I might try to eliminate the 3rd party apps I run one by one to see if that helps, and reply here.

Any other advice?

:)

 

Windows 10 is very slow in opening any application and it is waiting for a long time even in opening the file explorer

Though it may not be the cause of your issue, be aware that Windows 10 has a well-known, longstanding problem with lag (3 seconds or so) when launching programs via keyboard accelerators. This also causes macros to hang.

The solution in most cases is to disable SUPERFETCH. Type "services" into the search box at the bottom-left of the screen. Then <enter>.

Scroll to Superfetch, double-click it and disable. Reboot. This will clear the background processes that are causing the lag.

The issue has been repeatedly reported to Microsoft, over several years. But, apparently, it cannot be solved or isn't being addressed.

 

Program launch LAG

There is a lag of approximately three seconds when launching programs
via Windows 10 shortcut keys. This is a longstanding, oft-reported issue that is alleged by some forum participants to have existed prior to Windows 10. There is no lag if programs are launched via a mouse.

The fault may also prevent some macros from completing, a serious detriment.

It is not caused by viruses, malware or missing system files (SFC). Resetting Windows, increasing virtual memory or a clean boot are not relevant.

The lag is related to suspended background processes - such as calculator - which are repeatedly initiated by the Superfetch service.

Disabling it solves the problem in most cases, but that shouldn't be required.

Please escalate this issue to developers/higher support levels. Perhaps one day they will take it seriously.