ArcMap Hangs when opening after install

Does ArcMap hangs when opening?

Sometimes after upgrading ArcGIS on a Windows system the program will hang when the user first tries to open the program. This is typical when the user makes a significant upgrade (like from ArcGIS 8.3 to ArcGIS 9.0 or 9.1).

Solution:

Rename the user profile created by ESRI. This is typically locate in C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\ESRI (where username of course is your username)

You may also have to modify your folder settings to "view hidden folders". In a Windows Explorer Window Select Tools > Folder Options...

So rename C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\ESRI to
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\ESRI_old.

ArcMap/Catalog/Globe/Reader/etc. should open fine now,
-AK