When I was attempting to attach files to Microsoft Outlook 2007 the drop down to switch folders hangs forever as does clicking on folders. Sometimes it would hang so long that the window would show “Not Responding”. Eventually it would unlock and allow me to choose a folder only to hang again if I was drilling down even further. The same problem with very slow navigation when opening files would happen with Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Excel 2003, Microsoft Visio, and any other MS Office products.
I initially thought the issue was a problem with my laptop overheating or a possible issue with the pagefile on my laptop. It turns out the issue was the fact that I had configured some network drives to attach when I was on a remote companies network. Every time I was attempting to attach a file and was switching folders or directories it was having to wait to timeout the network drive that was not even attached.
This can be resolved by the following steps.
1. Right clicking My Network Places and selecting Disconnect Network Drives…
2. Click and any network drives that show in here that you do not connect to every time you boot your computer
3. Click OK to close Disconnect Network Drives
Test attaching a file to MS Outlook and navigate through your folders which should now be much quicker!
