Windows 10: Keyboard shortcuts slow to execute

This annoyance is still evident in Windows 11 22H2, perhaps because it's deeply embedded in the code or of very low priority, Many years ago, it was referred to MS high level support.When assigned shortcut keys are used to launch a program there is a delay - usually about three to four seconds. When the same program is mouse-clicked, it launches immediately. The delay can negatively affect macro execution.Here's a related thread, one of several, that details the issue... https://tinyurl.com/2hvs4ou8The one and only fix is to STOP and DISABLE SysMain in the Services list. To see that list,

:)

 

Custom keyboard shortcuts slow to execute

Nyima, thanks for suggesting some methods to fix this problem.

Unfortunately, none of them worked for me.

I recommend you try to replicate the problem on your own device:

Create a keyboard shortcut to an app or folder in Windows 10.

Windows help & learning

Then try the shortcut you just created.

Note how long it takes.

Then use a built-in short such as CTRL SHIFT ESC (Task Manager)

Note how long it takes.

Compare the times.

As I wrote earlier in this thread, in Windows 8 custom keyboard shortcuts used to take a long time, and then keyboard shortcuts became very fast after a Windows 8 patch.

Then I updated to Windows 10 and now the shortcut delay is back.

I have two Windows 10 devices and the keyboard shortcut delay is on both of them.

It is something inherent to Windows 10.

Since non-custom shortcut keys (E.g. CTRL SHIFT ESC, Windows Key E, etc., Windows Key 1, etc.) are nearly instantaneous I compromised on this problem for now by putting the links I commonly use on the taskbar using this technique:

Pin Any Item to the Windows 7 Taskbar

The first link on your taskbar corresponds to the shortcut Windows Key 1, etc.

Compromising in this manner means I have to relearn all my shortcuts, annoying, but at least these taskbar shortcuts have no delays, unlike the custom shortcut keys.

 

Custom keyboard shortcuts slow to execute

I have the same delay of about 2-3 seconds with keyboard shortcuts. I upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 build 10240. To Windows Notepad I assigned the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+K.

The problem is the process called 'ApplicationFrameHost.exe'. If I close it in the Task Manager (Details) then all the shortcuts work
immediately. The ApplicationFrameHost process is used for the new Windows 10 apps like Calculater. If you start Calculater (also a shortcut) it starts directly.

But after a while (e.g an hour) shortcuts get slow again. Closing 'ApplicationFrameHost.exe' again takes away the delay.

Please Microsoft, fix this bug.

 

Custom keyboard shortcuts slow to execute

I have the same delay of about 2-3 seconds with keyboard shortcuts. I upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 build 10240. To Windows Notepad I assigned the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+K.

The problem is the process called 'ApplicationFrameHost.exe'. If I close it in the Task Manager (Details) then all the shortcuts work
immediately. The ApplicationFrameHost process is used for the new Windows 10 apps like Calculater. If you start Calculater (also a shortcut) it starts directly. But after a while (e.g an hour) shortcuts get slow again. Closing 'ApplicationFrameHost.exe'
again takes away the delay.

Please Microsoft, fix this bug.