Windows Image Acquisition
Stop the WIA service. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Administrative Tools.
3. Double-click Component Services.
4. Click Services.
5. In the Services (Local) list, right-click Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), and then click Stop.
I helped Lankan_man get it sorted. It was the Windows Image Acquisition that was slowing down his programs.

Below is the link to the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;819017