make sure your anti virus is not scanning files in the Thunderbird profile "on access"

See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=profiles-tb#w_where-is-my-profile-stored

I did the exclusion in Windows Defender as stated in the link. However, the computer will still hang for about 30 seconds after selecting the "Delete" function for a message. For clarification I am running Windows 10pro. I am a new user to Thunderbird and this is really the only hiccup I have noticed.

what mail provider?

I have three providers. Outlook.com Goggle.com Embarqmail.com (Centrylink.net)

The best I can tell, I get the "not responding" on all three I am running Windows 10 Pro.

Try to start Windows in safe mode with networking enabled. - Win10 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/change-startup-settings-in-windows-10#v1h=tab01

Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode. - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode

Does the problem go away?