QuickBooks Running Slow? - Part 1

There are a number of reasons why your QuickBooks may be "running slow", but here is one reason for it - the hard drive where the QuickBooks data file resides needs to be cleaned up (or "defragged" in geek-speak).

Envision your paper filing cabinets - they get out of order and disorganized over time as you add more information to the cabinets and take information out. Your computer hard drive is no different - it gets disorganized too. If it does, it does not run with optimal speed and may be slowing you down.

The process of "defragging" is easy - on the computer where your QuickBooks data file is located, click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. A screen like this will appear:

Just click on the Defragment button and let your computer get to work cleaning itself up.

It is best if you run this defragmenting process overnight or while you are away from your computer for a while so it can have exclusive access to your hard drive.

Get More Great Tips from Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert - download his free QuickBooks guides today!

Comments

[F Horvath]

Before returning to previous version we'll try to install another hard-drive and have one of the companies moved there. I also reaad somewhere about the firewall to disconnect and it will increase the speed.
However, NORTON will NOT allow the "disable". I hesitate to reinstall QB because you need to re-register and that is NOT an easy process. When QB works it is GREAT but when it has problem it is a PAIN. 20+ years says it. Thanks for your input.
PS: I also reconfigured WINDOWS to run the programs faster and NOT the graphics. Also stopped the useless programs to run (msconfig).
But that's life in Alaska :))

[Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert]

F Horvath:

Have you ensured that all of your firewall ports are open and run the connectivity tests as outlined here:
http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Networking/Nettool.aspx

I have a Windows 7 computer with 4GB of RAM - it took about 6 seconds for the program to open.

You may want to uninstall and reinstall to ensure all is well with that too.

Something is definitely going on with your PC.

Scott Gregory

[F.Horvath]

RE-Slow 2013
The ZEST computer has 16 Gig memory. Now if that is too small then I don't know what, matybe back to manual bookkeeping. I have two corporations and switching between the two is just too long. With previous data file (145Meg each) it took NO TIME. Now the NEW data-base is 15Meg each and its just WAIT and WAIT.

[Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert]

F Horvath:

Thanks for posting your experiences with QuickBooks 2013.

If it is taking a long time to actually start QuickBooks (before you even get to your company data), I would suspect that there is some type of conflict and/or issue with your PC (possibly not enough memory, etc.)

You're right - the suggestions in this article really deal with the performance of the QuickBooks database, not the startup time of the program itself.

I'd do some more investigation on the PC before considering a rollback to 2011 (you'll have to rekey data at that point as well!)

Scott Gregory

[F Horvath]

We have started a NEW data base for our corporation and installed the QB Pro 2013. It is a DISASTER. SO slow that we consider going back 50 2011 version. It is NOT the Defrag, we defrag very frequently, Clean Disk too and with the NEW data base (only 15Meg) it takes minutes to start the program. It IS the QuickBooks Program that is the cause.

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I think this very normal that when any program runs slow it means that your hard drive needs to be cleaned up which was affecting your speed. Informative blog.

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Your computer hard drive is no different - it gets disorganized too. If it does, it does not run with optimal speed and may be slowing you down.