Member Avatar for Cup of Squirrel

I've been having this problem since about....yesterday.

Whenevr I open a link in a new window using either the right click-->open in new window or ctrl+shift, or when I open a new window anyway, I find that the window opens, with the white background (and the toolbar is seethrough, like what happens when your pc slows down ;D) is very slow. The status bar shows "done" at first, then the URL it is loading. My cursor turns into the "link hand" and I cannot do anything except move my mouse.

This only occurs for about 3-5 seconds but it does get VERY annoying. Any ideas?

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Dani AI

Generated

OP described a short (3–15s) freeze when opening links in a new IE6 window; a later reply from noted a McAfee anti‑spyware component fixed the same symptom. Below is a compact, practical troubleshooting summary that expands on those observations and gives repeatable checks and fixes.

Most likely causes and a quick test

  • Common culprits: browser add‑ons / BHOs, security software that hooks/script‑scans web pages, or shell/context‑menu extensions.
  • Quick test: launch Internet Explorer without add‑ons using iexplore.exe -extoff. If the delay disappears, use Tools → Manage Add‑ons to disable items one at a time to find the offender. See Microsoft guidance on running IE with no add‑ons and managing add‑ons (Microsoft Learn). (learn.microsoft.com)

If security software is implicated

  • Some McAfee products use a ScriptScan/ScriptProxy component that intercepts JavaScript/VBScript before execution; that interception can cause multi‑second CPU spikes and slow page/window rendering. McAfee docs and independent notes describe this behavior and recommend disabling ScriptScan or adding URL exclusions rather than uninstalling outright. (ibm.com)

Shell/context‑menu handlers and network resources

  • Context‑menu (Explorer shell) extensions often block UI actions while they initialize; use NirSoft’s ShellExView to hide/disable non‑Microsoft extensions and retest.
  • Also check for disconnected mapped drives or unavailable network printers—Windows will wait on network I/O and produce similar short freezes. (Old MSKB hotfixes and notes explain long delays when network shares are queried.) (nirsoft.net)

Action checklist (in roughly recommended order)

  1. Run iexplore.exe -extoff and test.
  2. If fixed, disable add‑ons via Manage Add‑ons.
  3. Temporarily disable or configure your AV/antispyware ScriptScan/WebAdvisor (or add URL exclusions) — consult vendor docs first.
  4. Use ShellExView to disable non‑Microsoft shell extensions.
  5. Disconnect any stale mapped drives/printers and clear Temporary Internet Files.
  6. If nothing helps, reset Internet Explorer settings (Advanced → Reset) as a last resort. See Microsoft’s reset instructions. (support.microsoft.com)

Caution: uninstalling protective software can remove needed defenses—disable or reconfigure the offending component first and, in managed environments, coordinate with IT. Many users eventually moved to alternate browsers (Firefox, Chrome) which aren’t affected by IE‑specific add‑ons or ScriptScan hooks; that remains a valid workaround when immediate fixes are impractical.

Member Avatar for jc170866bis

I had the same problem (10-15 seconds delay to open a new IE window) : this was caused by Mcafee Antispyware.

I uninstalled it and the problem disapeared.

Member Avatar for Cup of Squirrel

10 months late buddy D: Firefox has gone final since

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