Odd Outlook 2007 problem

[Thump553]

I've noticed this problem for a while, but it seems to have gotten much worse recently (perhaps tied to recent "upgrade" to IE 8). When i click on a URL in an email it takes forever-from five minutes to as long as a half hour) for a new tab to open in IE from the link.

The emails are from very trusted sources -usually companies announcing SEC filings-and it's important to me to see the info ASAP. This happens to me from multiple sources and at all times of the day.

My system:

Win XP-fully updated (Silverlight installed but won't update for some reason)
Office 2007-fully updated
McAfee suite
IE 8 is the only browser installed on this machine
no router, direct connect to DSL modem
computer not under any particular stress or heavy load

Any ideas? A google search lead nowhere, nor did Outlook's help section.

 

[RebateMonger]

Offhand, I don't know the cause.

Do you have SP2 for Office installed?

Have you tried temporarily disabling McAfee?

 

[Thump553]

Both Windows XP and Office are fully up to date. I haven't disabled McAfee, but I've had McAfee installed on this computer for 1+ years.

The delay has been becoming noticeable for the last few weeks, but especially since I installed IE 8. Today I had new tabs opening up more than an hour after I clicked on the link in my email.