If it's the fonts loading step, there is a trick indicated here on GC (by Ofnuts?).

No time at the moment to search.
maybe this one https://www.gimp-forum.net/Thread-Windo ... workaround

Hi sallyanne. You should installed the plugin from ofnuts, "addoncollectionmanager 3.0". I have a lot of Fonts, Paint brushes, scripts... and my gimp download fast. You'll be able to manage and install only the stuffs as you need them and not all at once. A member from here GC (Molly) explained very well how to set up your gimp directory using this plugin. Here is the link viewtopic.php?f=23&t=13277&p=200891&hilit=addonCollectionManager+3.0#p200891

I have a relatively new gimp with only a few brushes/pattern and font's that I transferred over from the 2.8. I don't actually see it loading fonts at all now - when I get new ones I usually download them to my computer's fonts. [In fact my personal font folder is empty] When loading it gets to the arkane path shape maker (loads but doesn't work in my gimp) and seems to slow down. I also have very few scripts.

I am pretty frustrated with this 2.10.6 business right now. It seems I finally get rid of one problem only to have another. Loading the program halfway through I get a black screen which you have to hit any key to continue or it won't load. Also when I try to add additional plug-in folders to Preferences They only stay there until I close the program. Next time I load the program they have all disappeared from edit/preferences. At times, it does not keep my theme or icon choices either. I need to get rid of this. I have limited Gimp time, and when I do get to Gimp, most of my time is spent fixing something so I can use the program.

Sorry about all the issues you are experiencing, Pat. Again, I would try the delete gimprc file trick and see what happens. Anyway, again, ever since I deleted the pluginsrc file, I've not had an issue with the GIMP.

Pat, if you are still using Samj's pack, try to link your plug-ins folders in Gimp/Edit/Preference and not inside the Preferences folder of the pack.
My Gimp/Edit/Preferences/Folders/Plug-ins

My Samj'sPack folder/Preferences/

I am linking them from Edit/Preferences. I did not know of any other way to do it. I see what you mean. You keep your plug-in folders outside of the 2.10.6/Preference/plug-ins folder.

Thank you for your suggestion. I will give this a try and let you know how it goes. I have tried deleting the pluginrc and gimprc which did not help.

Edit: I tried moving them to another folder which seem to work OK. I turned off my computer while I had to do other things. When I restarted my computer, all of the folders had disappeared again from the Edit/Preferences/Plugins folder. I really do not under this, never had trouble with this before.