About one week ago the a problem showed up in one of my desktop computer. Details below:
(1) The first time I launch any application (Word, Excel, Firefox etc), it will take very long for it to start. That happens only in the first launch after I boot the computer. There goes an example: I boot the computer. Then, I launched Excel. It takes very long for it to start. Then, I close Excel. Few hours I open Excel again, it is going start normally (no slowness this time.)
(2) Just to make sure, the problem started about one week ago.
(3) I have already pinned down the problem to Avast. Reason: if I put the application in the exclusion list, then the problem disappears.
I am using Windows 7 (SP1, 64 bit) and Avast Free 17.5.2303 (build 17.5.3585.192).
Does anyone have a solution or even a clue/hint? Any help will be welcomed.