I have the same problem - in the "open file" dialog box when clicking the "look in" drop down list or clicking a sub-directory on the left hand side takes ages to respond. All my other software works fine. There are several reports about files being slow to load due to bad context menu handlers but that is not the problem - it is navigating the directories that takes ages. The problem arises whether or not I am online, hooked up to my VPN or not Any ideas would be very welcome. (thinkpad X60, XP Pro, 1.5 gig memory, symantec AV, no HP printer )