A few months ago I installed Word 2007 on my Windows XP desktop. I had been using the previous version (2003) and had no problems. Using Word 2007 is extremely frustrating to use because every time I switch from one window to another, it hangs for around 15 to 30 seconds. It doesn't matter what the other window is. It can be a browser window or another Word document.

Occasionally, Word will stop responding altogether and every so often I even have to end the program because it won't respond even after 20 minutes.

Work takes longer than it should and it's really annoying.

Does anyone know why this happens and how I can fix it?

It would help to know something about your system specs like memory, processor speed etc.

Would help to know if you're experiencing anything like this with other programs that may be attributed to virii or such. Have you run an online scan? Kept your AV updated? etc.

Processor, Memory, etc.:
1.80 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Windows XP

It is only with Word that this problem occurs. And it only happens when I switch from one program's window to Word -- or from one Word document window to another. I doubt that the problem is virus related as I do have good virus protection, the AV is updated regularly, and scans are done frequently. I never had this problem with the old Word, but as soon as I installed the new version, it happens every time, without fail.

I don't know if my processor is just too slow or if there is some setting I know nothing about or what, but it sure is annoying.

After months of trying to figure out why Word 2007 hangs or stalls when I switch from another window or application to a Word window, I think I figured it out. I found the "options" section at the bottom of the menu that pops up after clicking on the Office Button. I looked at all of them and ended up noticing that I had some add-in that I knew nothing about. I disabled it and the hanging and stalling is gone.

Do you remember what the add in was? It may help someone else with the same issue. Good job!