Delay dilemma in Excel and Word solved

Q When I go to open files in Excel or Word, I get a long delay with a message stating that it is ‘Initializing the root folders to display’. Eventually the folders show, but there can then be additional delays in displaying other folders. What is causing this behaviour and how can I cure it? I’m using Windows XP Pro, with all current updates, and Office 2003.

JL Walton

A The usual cause of this is Windows trying to find a mapped network drive that isn’t currently available. The cure is to right-click on the desktop icon for ‘My Computer’, then choose ‘Disconnect Network Drive…’ This will open a dialogue box in which you can pick a mapped drive and disconnect it.

Alternatively you can open My Computer and you should see any mapped drives ­ and their current status. You can then right-click on a mapped drive ­ even if it is shown as already ‘disconnected’ and disconnect it. Either method should clear the problem.