I have identified a very interesting problem with Microsoft Excel 2010 on a client's computer.
When opening an Excel file located on a shared folder or mapped network drive, Excel takes 2-3 minutes to open. There are about 1000 other Excel files in this folder. While Excel is "loading", I can actually see a progress bar moving along the top of Windows Explorer. When this progress bar completes, the files opens up in Excel. This is reproduceable 100% of the time, regardless if the file has already been just opened.
If I move one of the excel files into a network folder on the same remote machine (I simply created a folder inside of our excel folder named "Speed Test"), files open up instantly.
My best assumption is that Excel is actually scanning the entire folder before it will finish loading each file. How can I stop Excel from doing this? It is important to note that Excel is usually open, with the correct file showing, but completely unresponsive, until the progress bar has completed inside of Windows explorer.
I've attached a few screenshots of what it looks like.
Before clicking on the file
Excel opens prompty, but locks up while it is "loading"
If I go back and look at Windows Explorer while I'm waiting for Excel to respond, there is a progress bar. When the progress bar completes, Excel becomes responsive
Best Answer
Possibly this is Office File Validation helping you out. It may have been installed in an update to Windows. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2501584 Possibily the same issue as this SO question