Hi there,
Sorry to hear you are getting delays when browsing the file system when using Word.
I use Word a lot to test the VMware Shared Folders.
I have currently been using Word from Office 2013 on Windows 8. I have not seen any delays like you are seeing.
I will look through the logs these are always extremely helpful.
Just to add, your list of tests is good to know you have been thorough in digging through possible options.
However, the VMware Shared Folders does *not* use the network stack at all. It has a VMware internal communication mechanism and does not need networking at all. So Item 4 in your list will not make any difference. Item 3 will not make any difference at all unless you have modified the registry setting somehow which will cause network server name resolutions to go to SMB before VMware Shared Folders.
You can verify the registry setting using regedit.
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\NetworkProvider\Order
Value Name: ProviderOder
Type: REG_SZ
The data should have vmhgfs as the first component of the list.
Item 5 will stop automatic updates of file system changes from your folders you are sharing from the host to the VM applications like Explorer Windows.
It should not have any effect on why your folder browsing is slow but it is good to eliminate it anyway.
Item 2 compressed folder support should only be for your local drives in your VM e.g. C drive. It is not going to effect remote drive connections like VMware Shared Folder connected drives.
I will get back to you when I have looked through the logs you kindly provided.
