XP Windows Explorer Not Responding

[1184jap]

I have a problem with XP. If I am in Windows Explorer and I right click on on a file WE justs ends up not responding. I have to go to Task Manager to release it. Any ideas.

[PrntRhd]

We need additional information, did you install/download something immediately before this occurred?
What version of XP, SP2?
All legit applications on the PC?

[1184jap]

I am using XP SP2. I dont know when exactly when it happened. I dont use the feature a lot. I notice that sometimes it is working OK.

[Sylvander]

"I right click on on a file WE just ends up not responding"
Sounds like Windows Explorer is attempting to construct the "Context Menu" by accessing various registry settings, but it is unable to complete the task [it's impossible] because the registry settings are not as they need to be.
Do you have any means to make the software jump back to the way it was when all was well? [And still match the present hardware]
You could restore a previous registry alone provided the hardware and Windows and installed programs have not changed since then.
Restoring a good working image of the Windows partition [that still matches the hardware] would be ideal.

"I notice that sometimes it is working OK"
Does the problem only show when you right-click on files with a certain extension?

[1184jap]

I dont use WE very much except if I want to send a file in an email.I have not done that for a while. I normally use Total Commander for working with files. Over the last while there has been many Windows Updates so it is very diffcult to say when it happened. Is there any program I could run before I open WE that might show why WE is not not happy. It does not seem to matter what extension is on the file.

[Sylvander]

1. "Is there any program I could run before I open WE that might show why WE is not not happy"
I've already told you why I think WE isn't able to construct the context menus and therefore "is not happy".
(a) As for programs that could show why...
RegMon for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/Regmon.mspx) would show/record all the registry accesses, but it is so complicated to use that you would probably be unable to extract any useful info from the list of accesses.
(b) A registry scanning/fixing program might find/fix the problems, but I would be wary that it might do more harm than good; messing with the registry is dangerous.
(c) Since you haven't answered my previous question I'll assume you have no means to make the registry [and associated files] "jump back".

(d) Perhaps an XP Repair Re-installation (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) would straighten things up whilst leaving your data files untouched.