Windows 10: Windows explorer hangs in CPU-intensive loop when left-clicking or right-clicking an Excel file

Running Windows 10 version 1809.


I have a frequently-updated spreadsheet on my desktop (C:\Users\<me>\Desktop). When I double-click the desktop link Excel opens the spreadsheet. When I right-click the desktop link a context menu appears, and I can open the spreadsheet or copy it using that context menu.


I usually copy the updated spreadsheet to a separate drive for backup. In Windows explorer, if I right-click this backup version, Windows Explorer enters a loop using 6-7% of the CPU, per task manager, and task manager shows its status to be "Not responding". I have 16 processors, so that 6-7% represents a single processor in a tight loop. Excel doesn't come up, no matter how long I wait, but task manager shows that Excel/COM Surrogate (32 bit) is running, consuming 0% of the cpu. (When I successfully open Excel by double-clicking the desktop link to the spreadsheet, task manager shows two things active under Excel: Microsoft Excel (32 bit) and COM Surrogate (32 bit).)


I can kill the looping instance of explorer by clicking the "X". When I kill Explorer by clicking the "X", the Excel/COM Surrogate remains visible in task manager. ( If I kill Windows Explorer with task manager, it kills all instances of explorer, including my desktop, so I avoid that.)


It actually isn't the choice of folder that matters, because if I point Windows Explorer to the original file in C:\Users\<me>\Desktop\ and click on <spreadsheet>, it hangs explorer the same way.


If I start an instance of command prompt, I can CD either to the desktop folder or to the folder containing the copied spreadsheet, and launch Excel successfully using the command:
excel .\<spreadsheet>.

:)

 

Explorer hangs for a second when right clicking empty space

Are you talking windows explorer or internet explorer?

First thought, some sort of timeout problem. Explorer is trying to connect to something that isn't there or not responding.

Edit: I just saw this... so windows explorer:

I've seen similar behavior in Excel when a network printer (that was the default) wasn't available, Excel would hang for a second on just about every click. Solution was to change the default printer to PDF or something local. I'm only saying that because something analogous could be happening in your case.

Edit2:

Read this: Troubleshooting Right Click Issues Caused by Shell Extensions

 

right click crashes explorer

I'm thinking you have a program installed on your machine that integrates itself into Windows shell that is messed up. An example would be a program like imageburn or Catalyst control center that puts itself into the "right-click list". If you've installed any programs recently, try uninstalling them.

 

mouse right click will not open my file explorer in taskbar

Hello Carl,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

We regret the inconvenience caused to you. We will assist you to resolve this issue.

• What happens when you left clicking?
• When you say right click, do you actually mean left click?
• Which all troubleshooting steps have you already tried to resolve this issue?

Left clicking with mouse will open File explorer or any other programs. Whereas right click will give you context menu.

I suggest you to right-click on the File Explorer
on the task bar and select Unpin from Taskbar. Now in the search bar type
File Explorer and right click on it and select Pin it to Taskbar
and check if it helps.

Let us know the status of the issue. We will be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.