Member Avatar for Billy70

Originally Posted on Viruses & Nasties with the title:
High cpu in win explorer, task mng - HJ Log
- with no response so I thought I'd try my luck here.

I started having alot of virus warnings from Avast - so many so that I reinstalled via ghost.
Now windows explorer is extremely slow when transferring files. It runs the cpu up to 100 -

I also have 3 mapped network drives, all to one other computer. I recently removed a drive from the other computer.
When I tried to delete the mapped drive I found there is no option under Tools. There's just Synchronize and Folder Options.

I'm guessing Explorer is slow because it's trying to find the missing drive.

I tried the 'net use y: /delete' - no luck.
Also the right click for the menu doesn't work on the task bar. Searched long with no luck for some registry or system settings.

I have admin rights so I don't think it's a group policy thing.

Any help is appreciated.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by jbennet

Dani AI

Generated

Good troubleshooting so far, — the fact that A43 could manage the mappings while Explorer still stuttered is a useful clue: the mappings themselves were not gone, but Explorer (and the local disk/driver stack) was causing the performance and UI oddities. That pattern (fast bursts, then multi-second stalls with CPU spikes) usually points at a disk/transfer problem rather than a purely network/menu policy issue. ’s suggestion about policy is worth checking if menu items are missing, and ’s patience reminder is sound.

To verify and recover the drive-transfer side:

  • Open Device Manager -> IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers -> double-click each channel -> Advanced Settings -> check "Transfer Mode" for the device. If it’s stuck at PIO, uninstall the affected IDE channel and reboot so Windows redetects the device and attempts DMA again.
  • Run a surface/health check and repair (schedule from an elevated prompt if needed):
    chkdsk C: /r
  • Test the drive with the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool, swap the cable/port, and update chipset/IDE controller drivers.

To remove a stubborn mapped drive when UI and usual commands fail, delete the per-user mapping key (backup the registry first):

  1. Run regedit and export HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network (File -> Export).
  2. Delete the subkey matching the drive letter (for example, Z).

Example .reg to delete drive Z (save and import only after backing up):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network\Z]

Log off or reboot after the change.

Other useful checks: look for disk/controller errors in Event Viewer, disable non-Microsoft shell extensions (ShellExView) to rule out explorer plugins, and confirm no Group Policy under User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections is hiding map/disconnect commands. Always back up data and the registry before making changes.

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Member Avatar for Billy70

I also disabled the .AVI plug in as it would cause explorer to hang in directories with a lot of movie files.

Member Avatar for Billy70

I managed to restore the right click on the task bar with a registry tweak. Now I don't have to ctrl-alt-del to bring up task manager.

Still no access to add or remove Mapped Drives.

The 2 mapped drives are still accessible - just the 1 that I physically removed is disconnected (obviously).

Doesn't anyone have any insight on how I can re enable mapping/disconnecting?

Member Avatar for Billy70

Another Update:
Watching the transfer rate by moving files with WHEREISIT? (Catalog Program) I see that 10-20MB is transfered in 1/2 a sec then it stalls for 2-3 seconds, then another 10-20MB.

All the while the CPU is spiking to 100.

If no one is able to help first hand could someone direct me to a forum that can?

please & thanks

Member Avatar for caperjack

i have no idea what to tell you is wrong ,but will tell you this about this post ,4hrs old and your post and log in the other section ,it was only done 16 hrs ago ,the people helping over there are few ,and work for free ,and it is the weekend !!patience is your best virtue, if someone knows how to deal with your problem they will come by and help !good luck

Member Avatar for jbennet

can you not right click the mapped drive and choose disconnect?

Member Avatar for Billy70

there is no option to disconnect from right click nor from the tools menu.

I've tried the 'net use y: /delete' - no luck.

Work Around - I installed A43 Explorer alternative and now have the ability to connect/disconnect to mapped drives.

Unfortunately - It wasn't the problem.

Fortunately - I've narrowed it down to the harddrive.
Transfer rate on this drive is 10X slower and uses 100 resources.

Thanks to everyone who spends time trying to help. Much appreciated even though no solution came for my problem - rather a workaround.

Workaround - Use an alternative Explorer.

Member Avatar for jbennet

sounds more like local security policy settings are disabling the disconnection

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