Right-click on files is slow to show context menu

[katriel]

When I right-click on a filename in Everything, it takes 3-10 seconds for the context menu to display. In contrast, when I right-click on a file in Windows Explorer, the context menu usually displays in less than 1 second.

Everything Version 1.4.1.1009 (x64)
Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2

[void]

This issue can occur if you launch Everything as administrator.

Please make sure Everything is installed correctly and running as a standard user:

• In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
• Click the General tab on the left.
• Check Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything.
• Uncheck Run as administrator.
• Check Everything Service. (Please make sure this is tick-checked and not square-checked)
• Click OK.
• Exit Everything (right click the Everything tray icon and click Exit).
• Restart Everything.

Does the issue persist?

[katriel]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately, I can't easily change any of the settings under Options > General. I'm on a work computer where I don't have administrator privileges. I've installed Everything without IT's permission, using the portable exe. I'll see if I can get them to approve Everything, and if so I can try your suggested fix.

FYI, this problem occurs when none of the options under General are checked.

[katriel]

Update: I've been able to install an Everything with IT's approval. Then, I changed all the settings as instructed above. I don't notice any change in speed when right-clicking on files, unfortunately.

[void]

There might be a slow shell extension.

Please try disabling context menu shell extensions and see if the issue persists:

Copy and paste the following into your Everything search box:

/context_menu_shell_extensions=0

Press ENTER in your Everything search box.
If successful, context_menu_shell_extensions=0 is shown in the status bar for a few seconds.

[katriel]

Thank you! With context menu shell extensions disabled, right click is instantaneous.

If possible, I'd love to get one specific context menu item back: the OneDrive "copy link" option. A quick Google didn't reveal a good way to disable other shell extensions that might be the source of the slowness, at least not without installing special software for this purpose. Any ideas?

[void]

There's no verb for the OneDrive "copy link" context menu item.
I couldn't find a way to invoke this item without the context menu..

Please try NirSoft ShellExView to disable non-Microsoft shell extensions.

[katriel]

Huge thanks! I can't install NirSoft ShellExViewer on my work machine, but it's a very good tool to know about for personal use.

Also, I just learned that there is a distinction between the "fast context menu" and the "classic context menu." The classic context menu is the slow one. I thought right-clicking in Windows Explorer was faster than in Everything, because Windows Explorer opens the fast context menu (which includes the OneDrive actions), while Everything opens the classic context menu.

Is it possible to configure Everything to open the fast context menu on right click? If not, would you please consider this a feature suggestion to allow that?

[therube]

I can't install NirSoft

Nirsoft has both .exe installers & .zip's.

So if you can unzip (or unzip elsewhere & copy the .exe to your computer...).
(Now, if your work end doesn't allow the utility to run at all, the .exe, or to make changes to the Windows Registry), that's a different matter.)

[void]

Is it possible to configure Everything to open the fast context menu on right click? If not, would you please consider this a feature suggestion to allow that?

Not possible yet, sorry.
It is on my TODO list.

[Jolly]

Maybe theres a way to log if one of the right click handlers is being especially slow so you can disable that one?

[void]

Everything uses the OS call CDefFolderMenu_Create2 to generate the context menu.

The OS loads your context menu shell extensions. (not Everything)

[anmac1789]

I am having similar problems as well but i have custom commands using copyfilenames pro from extabits in the context menu so that's maybe why opening the context menu is a bit slow...