Is there anybody who understands the Windows 7 system and some of its problems? I'm having a tough time with Control Panel because it takes a REALLY long time to load, and it should load for a second. I may have to uninstall some programs and/or delete some documents.

Documents usually won't make much difference. They're all pretty small in size.

Programs, however, can really gobble up memory, especially if they are graphics-heavy. Go into My Computer and then check the properties on the OS drive (probably C:). How much free space does your hard drive have?

http://www.google.com/search?aq=0&oq=how+much+free+space+should+be&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=how+much+free+space+should+be+on+hard+drive

At least 428 GB.

Free space? Not total space? If that's free space, that should be plenty.

You should wait for MathMate or another tutor with more experience with this type of thing. Since I never put those graphics-heavy programs on my computers, I don't have the problem!!

I think I would open up task manager, and see what is occupying CPU resources.

How much memory do you have?

Here are some resource requirements, briefly:
1+ GHz processor (not a problem these days)
1+ GB memory
Add 1 GB if you run XP emulation.

(See officially from Microsoft:
(Broken Link Removed)

You have plenty of disk.

If everything is OK, go with what M. Pursley suggested: check if the CPU is busy somewhere.

Do you have a problem on boot-up, or whenever control panel is called for?
On boot up, the CPU may be busy setting up network and a whole lot of other things.

Was the disk (flashing red light) running when waiting for control-panel?
If so, it may be thirsty for memory.

If you are handy with opening the hood, you can try swapping the two memory boards. If things change, it may be a hardware problem.

Finally, if you still have problems, post your config/specs.
If you are using a high/medium-end graphics card, do not let Windows 7 search for drivers, install the custom graphics drivers instead.

Yes, there are many people who understand the Windows 7 system and can help with troubleshooting its problems. In your case, the Control Panel taking a long time to load could be due to several reasons such as outdated drivers, conflicting software, or system resource issues. To resolve the issue, you can try the following steps:

1. Update Drivers: Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause performance issues. Make sure you have the latest drivers for your hardware components such as graphics card, sound card, etc. You can go to the manufacturer's website or use Windows Update to check for driver updates.

2. Scan for Malware: Malware and viruses can also slow down system performance. Run a thorough scan using a reliable antivirus software to detect and remove any potential threats.

3. Check for Conflicting Software: Some programs may conflict with each other, causing performance issues. You can try disabling or uninstalling any recently installed software to see if it resolves the problem.

4. Clean up Disk Space: A cluttered hard drive with limited free space can slow down system performance. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility to remove unnecessary files and free up disk space.

5. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs: If you have programs installed that you no longer use, consider uninstalling them to free up system resources.

6. Disable Startup Programs: Some applications automatically launch during the system startup, consuming system resources. Open the Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, and disable any programs that you don't need to start automatically.

7. Perform a System Checkup: Windows 7 has a built-in System Maintenance tool that can help identify and fix common system problems. You can access this tool by going to Control Panel > System and Security > Troubleshooting > Check for performance issues.

If these steps don't resolve the Control Panel loading issue, you may consider consulting with an IT professional or seeking help from online support forums specific to Windows 7 for further assistance.