Windows Explorer Slow

Thanks for the suggestion Mike, but no change as far as I can tell.  It was also behaving this way before I ever put Java on.

How do you start explorer? Do you rightclick the start button or do you use winkey+e, or...? Is there a difference in these two methods?

Thanks for the suggestion younghv, it didn't seem to make any difference though.  

Here are all the methods I've tried to start Windows Explorer.

My Computer - Immediate start
Windows+E - Immediate start
Item pinned to the  taskbar - the slow start I was complaining about
Right-click on Start button -  Immediate start, but it goes to library view

So it seems the only one that's having issues is the taskbar pinned item (or Start Menu Pinned).  I wonder if it has anything to do with the frequent list, or whatever changes Windows automatically makes when an item is pinned (though nothing else seems to have the same problem when pinned, even if it has a recent list).  No change when I clear the frequent list.  

And to boot, sometimes it crashes if I'm trying to open up multiple windows with the taskbar pinned item.  I'm starting to think it's a corrupted install.  I'll be upgrading my home machine tonight, I'll see if it behaves the same.

A quick word about your home system.
Create a separate partition of about 20-25 GB and do a separate install of Windows 7.
That will allow you to dual boot and you can eliminate the old OS when you're fully comfortable with the new.

Any reason you selected the 64 Bit OS?
My first Windows 7 (Beta) was the 64 Bit and I had a few problems.
Subsequent installs have been 32 Bit and they have worked flawlessly.

I'll see if I can find out more about this Windows Explorer problem.

I believe that 64-bit is the way things are going (finally) and have several high-end applications that utilize the architecture.  Most of my administrative tools come in 64-bit since they're designed for servers.   I ran Windows 7 64-Bit during the beta for several months both and home and work on a secondary partition with very little problems (Exchange 2003 Manager & a really old game) and have been happy with the performance vs the 32-bit installs I've tried.   The ability to add more than 4GB of addressed memory space is a plus too.

Thanks for your assistance.

What kind of item did you pin to the taskbar? Just a link to a folder?

Just the standard Windows Explorer.  Even if I try to pin just a specific folder, it automatically creates the Windows Explorer link and adds the folder to the pinned list for that item.

Well, I've done several other installs (32-bit and 64-bit, work and home) and I haven't had the same issue.  I've even tried doing it through the shortcut as McKnife suggested, no luck.  I've got to assume at this point that it is an issue with my installation or one of the installed programs interfering with it.  

It's not a big enough issue that I care to start over again, so I'll just be using Start+E and forget about pinning it.  Thank you for all the suggestions, I'll post a full solution if I ever happen upon it.