Right-click on desktop produces 3-4 second red spinner  

This just started today, and has continued all day, even after several reboots: Usually, if I right-click on the desktop, I get a pop-up menu instantly, with about ten items, from View down to Personalize. Today, I'm suddenly getting a noticeable delay when I right-click, with the red "Busy" spinner at the mouse cursor, before the menu appears. Any idea what could be causing this response-lag?

(Win 10 Pro 20H2, specs in My computer button, System 1.)

Hello Dr. Dan,

A slow opening context menu is often caused by a shell extension installed by a 3rd party app.

If you like, you can use the method in the tutorial below to troubleshoot and fix this.

Fix Slow or Freezing Right Click Context Menu in Windows

Hello back, Dr. Brink,

I had shexview already (always have it) and I disabled the obvious choice: The DeskTopContextMenu Class. There were two entries, and shexvw wouldn't let me disable just one or the other. Disabled, restarted Explorer, and Voila! No delay whatsoever when I right-clicked the desktop. Immediate response, just as it is on my System 2. Now the question is whether I should leave those entries disabled or not. Should I try enabling them again (with restart) and test? It doesn't seem logical to me that re-enabling them would leave the fix in. What say you? Okay to leave them disabled?

I'll hit Thanks when I hear from you again.

You could enable them again to test if wanted, but it will most likely cause the delay again. If so, you can just disable again to fix.

It will not hurt anything to leave them disabled other than the context menu items being removed.

Seems the only two of the ten that are missing are Graphics Properties and Graphics Options, and I haven't meddled with either of those in decades. Sayonara GP and GO. Stay home and stay safe.

I once wrote a dissertation. I think you've written a hundred or more dissertations online, and untold legions of computer users are deeply indebted to you for your work. Thanks again, my friend.

You're always most welcome.