Usually circle, rectangle, Windows copy etc load instantly. For some time they have taken 5(+-) seconds. Not long until you are using them often. Once used they are fast until you load a different command then the next time slow again. On a network. Do not open files over the network. They are all local as far as I know.

Will try disconnecting the network, firewall, anti-virus.

Anyone had this and found a cure?

Probably not the same as your case but I have had this problem when my wireless network was "lost" and the Microsoft util that searches for a connection kept interrupting VX (the biggest app being run at the time). I wonder if VX is struggling to find the dongle? That activity could be of interest to your Anti Spyware/Anti Virus apps.