Ever sat there watching Photoshop crawl through a save or export, wondering if it crashed? Yeah… me too. You hit Save or Export As, and suddenly you’re stuck staring at that little progress bar creeping along like it’s in slow motion.

I remember one night, wrapping up a project for a client, thinking I’d be done in five minutes. Instead, I spent half an hour watching my computer wheeze through a layered PSD export. It wasn’t just frustrating, it threw off my whole workflow.

Here’s the good news: most of the time, it’s not your fault. Photoshop’s defaults aren’t always optimized for speed, and even a solid machine can feel sluggish if a few key settings aren’t right. In this guide, I’ll share the exact tweaks and habits I use to make saving and exporting lightning-fast, the same ones pros rely on every day. No vague advice. Just actionable, real-world fixes you can start using right now.

#1. Fix Slow Saving Issues in Photoshop

If Photoshop feels like it’s taking forever to save, you’re not imagining it. Saving a layered PSD can be brutal if your file is packed with dozens of layers, adjustment stacks, or massive smart objects. The good news? A few small tweaks can make a huge difference.

Here’s what I do when saving slows to a crawl:

• Clean up unnecessary layers.
  Hidden test layers? Random groups you don’t need? Get rid of them. Every extra layer adds weight to your file and slows down the save process.

• Purge your history states.
  Go to Edit → Purge → All before saving big files. Photoshop stores a history of every move you make, and that history eats up memory and disk space.

• Convert smart objects to raster when possible.
  Smart objects are great for flexibility, but they add size. If you don’t need to tweak that element again, rasterizing it will slim down your file.

• Save incremental versions.
  Instead of saving over a single massive file, create versioned saves (like project_v01.psd, project_v02.psd). This keeps each save lighter and less prone to glitches.

I used to ignore these steps and just assume saving slowly was “normal.” But trimming down a bloated PSD can easily cut save times in half.

If you're new to some of these techniques, the top Photoshop courses can help you master both speed and workflow best practices.

#2. Disable PSD and PSB Compression

One of the biggest culprits behind slow saving in Photoshop? File compression.

By default, Photoshop compresses your PSD and PSB files when saving. That’s great if you’re trying to keep file sizes small, but it’s terrible for speed, especially when you’re working with large, multi-layered projects.

Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → File Handling (on Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → File Handling).

2. Look for “Compression of PSD and PSB Files.”

3. Switch it from Always to Never.

After you toggle it off, your saves will run noticeably faster.

But here’s the trade-off, your files will get bigger. Sometimes a lot bigger. If you’re archiving work or need to email a file, you might want to toggle compression back on for that specific save. But for everyday work, especially when time matters, disabling compression keeps you moving without the lag.

I tested this on a 2 GB PSB file last week. With compression on, it took almost four minutes to save. With it off? Under a minute. That’s the difference between a quick coffee break and losing your flow.

#3. Use Quick Export for Instant Results

If you’re exporting the same type of asset over and over — say, PNGs for web or JPEGs for client previews — Quick Export is your best friend.

Instead of going through File → Export → Export As every single time, you can set up Quick Export to save your file in a couple of clicks. It’s faster, cleaner, and saves you from navigating through the same export dialog boxes again and again.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Export (on Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → Export).

2. Under Quick Export Format, pick your go-to format (PNG, JPEG, etc.).

3. Set your preferred export options — compression level, metadata, color profile.

4. Click OK to save.

Now, when you’re ready to export, just hit:
File → Export → Quick Export as PNG (or JPEG).

It’s perfect when you’re batch-exporting assets or iterating through revisions. For example, I recently exported 30 variations of a UI mockup in less than 5 minutes using Quick Export, something that would’ve easily doubled in time with the standard export workflow.

Quick caveat: If you need more granular control (custom sizes, different compression levels), stick to Export As for those cases. But for 90% of everyday work, Quick Export keeps things moving lightning-fast.

#4. Allocate More RAM to Photoshop

Photoshop loves RAM. The more complex your files get, high-res images, multiple smart objects, adjustment layers, the more memory it needs. If your exports or saves feel sluggish, there’s a good chance Photoshop just doesn’t have enough room to work.

Here’s how to fix it:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Performance (on Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → Performance).

2. Under Memory Usage, you’ll see how much RAM Photoshop is using by default, usually around 70%.

3. Bump it up gradually, aiming for 80–85% if you’re running big projects.

4. Leave some memory for your OS and other apps, especially if you multitask.

A little adjustment here can make a huge difference. On my setup, increasing memory allocation from 70% to 85% cut the export time for a 500 MB PSD from over two minutes to around a minute flat.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on the Efficiency Indicator (bottom-left corner of the Photoshop window). If it drops below 100%, it means Photoshop is running out of RAM and relying on the scratch disk instead, which is much slower.

Don’t max it out, though. Allocating 100% of your RAM can cause your system to freeze or crash, especially if you’re running multiple apps. Think of it as finding the sweet spot: fast performance without starving your computer.

#5. Optimize Scratch Disks with SSDs

When Photoshop runs out of RAM, it leans on your scratch disk, basically, your computer’s storage drive acting as temporary memory. If that disk is slow, like a standard HDD, your saves and exports will crawl.

Here’s how to speed things up:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → Scratch Disks (on Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → Scratch Disks).

2. Make sure your fastest drive, ideally an SSD or NVMe drive, is selected as the primary scratch disk.

3. Free up space. Keep at least 20% of the disk free to avoid bottlenecks.

I can’t overstate how much of a difference this makes. Switching from a traditional hard drive to an SSD cut my export times nearly in half on a 1 GB project. And if you’re on the go, a portable NVMe drive plugged into a USB-C port can work wonders too.

Pro tip: If you’re serious about performance, dedicate an external SSD just for Photoshop. It keeps your main drive uncluttered and ensures Photoshop always has fast storage to work with.

#6. Manage Large Files Better

If you’re dealing with huge PSDs or PSBs, think dozens of smart objects, 8K textures, or complex adjustment layers, it’s no surprise your saves and exports are slow. Photoshop has to crunch through every pixel of that file, and that takes time.

Here’s how to make those big files more manageable:

• Merge layers when you can.
  If you’re done tweaking certain groups, flatten them. Fewer layers mean a smaller file and faster saves.

• Clean up hidden or unused elements.
  Extra layers, hidden masks, or unused smart objects quietly add weight. Get rid of the clutter.

• Simplify smart objects.
  They’re great for non-destructive workflows, but they can also balloon file size. Rasterize what you no longer need to edit.

• Split large projects into parts.
  Working on a massive print file? Break it into smaller sections, export them separately, then stitch them together later if needed.

I once worked on a 3 GB PSB file that took nearly five minutes to export. By flattening unused layers and breaking the file into two smaller parts, I got that down to under 90 seconds per export without sacrificing quality.

If your workflow involves rendering videos or animations, exporting frame sequences instead of a single compressed video can also help speed things up while giving you more control over the final render.

#7. Update GPU Drivers and Enable GPU Acceleration

Sometimes it’s not Photoshop, it’s your GPU. An outdated graphics driver or disabled acceleration can make exports crawl, especially with large or complex files.

Here’s how to fix it:

1. Check and update your drivers

• Windows (NVIDIA or AMD):
  Go to your GPU’s control panel or visit NVIDIA or AMD to download the latest drivers.

• macOS:
  Updates are handled through system updates, so make sure your macOS is current.

2. Enable GPU acceleration in Photoshop

• Go to Edit → Preferences → Performance (on Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → Performance).

• Check the box for Use Graphics Processor.

• Click Advanced Settings, then choose Normal or Advanced for better performance.

3. Test it
Open a heavy file and try a quick export. If the speed improves, you know your GPU was the bottleneck.

On my setup, enabling GPU acceleration cut export times for layered PNGs by almost 40%. And if you’re running effects-heavy work, think smart filters, video exports, or animated frames, having that GPU support makes all the difference.

Pro tip: If your GPU is older, try using the Basic mode in the GPU settings. It’s less demanding and can still give you a noticeable boost without overloading your system.

If you want to dig deeper into how GPU settings impact performance, check out this guide on how to use GPU acceleration in Photoshop for faster workflows and smoother previews. Also, if you’re working on a setup that lacks a dedicated GPU, don’t worry — this guide to running Photoshop without a GPU walks through key tips to keep things smooth.

#8. Choose the Right File Format for Speed

Not all file formats are created equal, and picking the wrong one can slow your workflow to a crawl. If Photoshop feels slow during exports, your format choice might be part of the problem.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• JPEG

  • Fastest export option.

  • Best for web previews, social media, or client drafts.

  • Downsides: lossy compression, so not ideal for final production files.

• PNG

  • Great for images needing transparency.

  • Slower than JPEG because it’s lossless.

  • Use only when you really need that crisp transparency.

• TIFF

  • High-quality and versatile for print or archival work.

  • Heavy files = slow exports.

  • Use sparingly unless your workflow demands it.

• WebP

  • Modern format that balances quality and smaller file sizes.

  • Much faster than PNG for certain web workflows.

• PSD or PSB

  • Keeps all your layers intact.

  • Perfect for ongoing projects, but painfully slow for exporting or sharing. Use only when you need editability.

Here’s a personal example: I used to export everything as PNG by default. For a 50-image batch, that meant nearly 30 minutes of waiting. Switching to JPEG for review files brought that down to under 10 minutes, without anyone noticing the difference in quality.

Pro tip: Match the format to the job. Quick client previews? JPEG. Transparent web assets? PNG. Huge layered projects? Save the master PSD, but export flattened versions for speed.

#9. Monitor Photoshop’s Performance in Real-Time

Before you start tweaking random settings, it helps to know what’s actually slowing Photoshop down. Luckily, there’s a built-in way to see if the problem is your RAM, GPU, or scratch disk.

Here’s how to check:

• Look in the bottom-left corner of your Photoshop window.

• Click the small menu and switch to Efficiency.

• If the number stays at 100%, you’re fine.

• If it drops below 90% during saving or exporting, Photoshop is running out of RAM and leaning heavily on the scratch disk.

For deeper analysis, you can also use:

• Task Manager (Windows) – Check memory and disk usage.

• Activity Monitor (macOS) – Monitor RAM, CPU, and GPU load.

When I first checked mine, I realized my efficiency dropped to 60% every time I exported a large PSD, meaning RAM was maxed out. Upping my RAM allocation and cleaning up my scratch disk instantly sped things up.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on this indicator regularly. It’s the easiest way to confirm whether a performance tweak is actually helping, or if the slowdown is coming from somewhere else.

#10. Automate with Actions and Scripts

If you find yourself exporting the same way over and over, resizing, renaming, saving multiple formats, stop doing it manually. Photoshop Actions and scripts can save you hours, especially for batch exports.

Here’s how to set up an Action for exports:

1. Open your file and go to Window → Actions.

2. Click the New Action button, name it something simple like “JPEG Export,” and hit Record.

3. Run through your usual export process, resizing, flattening layers, exporting.

4. Stop the recording when you’re done.

Now, you can run that Action with one click, or even better, use File → Automate → Batch to apply it to a whole folder of files.

For heavy workloads, you can go further with scripting or third-party automation tools. I once had to export over 300 layered images for a web project. Using a custom Action with batch automation, I finished the whole process while I made coffee. Manually? It would’ve taken half a day.

Pro tip: If you’re not ready to write your own scripts, look up free Photoshop scripts online. There are tons out there for resizing, format conversion, and batch exporting.

Once you’ve streamlined your workflow, check out these inspiring Photoshop projects for a little motivation to test your new speed hacks on something creative.

#11. Reset Photoshop Preferences

Sometimes, no amount of tweaking fixes the lag. If Photoshop still feels painfully slow when saving or exporting, even after adjusting RAM, scratch disks, and compression, it could be a corrupted preferences file.

Resetting your preferences gives Photoshop a fresh start, often fixing mysterious slowdowns instantly.

Here’s how to reset preferences safely:

Option 1: Quick Reset

1. Close Photoshop.

2. Hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (Mac) while reopening Photoshop.

3. When prompted, click Yes to delete the current settings.

Option 2: Manual Reset

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → General (Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → General).

2. Click Reset Preferences on Quit.

3. Restart Photoshop.

Pro tip: Back up your custom brushes, actions, and presets before resetting. A fresh start is great, but losing your workflow tools is not.

I once spent hours troubleshooting why Photoshop took three minutes to export a single PNG. A quick preferences reset brought that export time back down to under 30 seconds.

Sometimes, what feels like a slowdown might actually be a symptom of deeper system issues — here's a breakdown of common crash reasons in Photoshop and how to fix them before they disrupt your work.

#12. Use Cloud Power for Heavy Projects

Sometimes, the problem isn’t Photoshop. It’s your hardware.

If you’re working on huge PSDs, 3D composites, or video renders, even a high-RAM laptop can start to choke. That’s when running Photoshop on a cloud computer can save you hours.

With a setup like Vagon Cloud Computer, you can tap into high-performance GPUs and tons of RAM right from your browser. I’ve exported 2 GB PSBs on a cloud setup in a fraction of the time it took on my MacBook Pro. And the best part? No need to buy or maintain expensive hardware, you spin up the power you need, when you need it.

This isn’t for every workflow. If you’re only exporting small batches of images, local tweaks from the earlier tips will do just fine. But if your projects are consistently pushing your machine to its limits, moving those heavy exports to the cloud can completely change your workflow.

And if you're on the go and wondering about using Photoshop on iPad, there are lightweight workflows that can keep things moving without needing a full desktop setup.

#13. Keep Photoshop Updated

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many slowdowns come from running an outdated version of Photoshop. Adobe regularly pushes updates that include performance improvements, export optimizations, and bug fixes.

Here’s how to make sure you’re up to date:

• Creative Cloud Desktop App → Go to Updates and check if there’s a new version of Photoshop.

• Review the release notes, you’ll often see improvements specifically for saving, exporting, or GPU acceleration.

A few months ago, an update fixed a bug that was making Quick Export painfully slow on Windows. Updating shaved a full minute off my export time for a large batch of PNGs.

If you’re worried about stability with new releases, keep the previous version installed until you’re sure the update plays nicely with your workflow. But in general, staying updated means staying fast.

And if you’re still finding Photoshop too sluggish for your setup, there are Photoshop alternatives worth exploring that offer leaner performance without the bloat.

Final Thoughts

Waiting on Photoshop to save or export is more than just annoying, it kills your workflow. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire setup to fix it. Small, targeted tweaks like adjusting RAM, disabling compression, or switching to an SSD can shave minutes off your exports every single day.

Of course, there’s a limit to what local tweaks can do. If your machine just can’t keep up, and you’re losing time on every project, it might be time to upgrade your hardware or tap into a cloud-powered setup like Vagon Cloud Computer. I’ve seen projects that used to take hours finish in a fraction of the time, all without buying a pricey new rig.

Try one or two of these tips today. Track your results. You’ll be surprised how quickly the lag disappears, and how much smoother your creative process feels when Photoshop isn’t holding you back.

FAQs

Q: Why is Photoshop taking so long to save?
Usually, it’s about file size and system resources. Big PSDs with hundreds of layers, adjustment layers, or linked smart objects take longer to process. If you’re on a slower HDD or running low on RAM, the delay gets worse.

• Purge your history (Edit → Purge → All).

• Close other programs eating up RAM.

• Save a flattened copy for quick edits.

• Use an SSD as your scratch disk.

Q: Why are my exports so slow?
Exports tend to lag when:

• Your scratch disk is slow (use an SSD or NVMe drive).

• You’re exporting large files or animations with complex effects.

• GPU acceleration is disabled or your drivers are outdated.

• You’re exporting to heavy formats like PNG or TIFF without optimization.

Try enabling Use Graphics Processor in Preferences → Performance and updating your GPU drivers for an instant boost.

Q: How do I disable compression of PSD and PSB files?
Compression is great for reducing file sizes, but it slows down saving, especially with big projects. To turn it off:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences → File Handling (Mac: Photoshop → Preferences → File Handling).

2. Find Compression of PSD and PSB Files.

3. Switch it from Always to Never.
   Your saves will be much faster, but files will take up more space.

Q: How do I speed up Photoshop video rendering or animated exports?

• Render frame sequences instead of compressed video first, it’s faster and gives you more control in post.

• Keep an eye on your scratch disk and RAM usage.

• Close unnecessary apps running in the background.

• Use a GPU-accelerated render setting if your workflow supports it.

Q: Why is Photoshop saving so slow on macOS?
macOS handles caching and storage differently than Windows, so slowdowns often point to disk I/O bottlenecks. Make sure:

• You’re saving to an internal SSD, not an external HDD.

• Spotlight indexing isn’t running in the background.

• Photoshop is updated to the latest version, Adobe patches macOS-specific performance bugs regularly.

Q: Should I always use JPEG for faster exports?
JPEGs export the fastest and are great for drafts, previews, or sharing, but they’re compressed. For final work, or when you need transparency, use PNG or WebP. For high-resolution prints or layered archives, stick to PSD or TIFF, but expect slower saves.

Q: Does adding more RAM really help?
Yes, but only up to a point. More RAM means Photoshop can hold more data in memory, reducing the need to write to the scratch disk. If you’re consistently seeing the Efficiency indicator drop below 90%, more RAM (or a better scratch disk setup) will make a noticeable difference.

Q: When should I consider a cloud computer like Vagon?
If you’re regularly:

• Saving or exporting multi-GB PSD or PSB files,

• Rendering large animations, or

• Running other heavy creative apps alongside Photoshop, then cloud power is worth it. Vagon gives you on-demand access to high-end GPUs and plenty of RAM, which can cut export times from minutes to seconds, no expensive hardware upgrades needed.

Q: Can resetting Photoshop preferences really fix performance issues?
Absolutely. Corrupted preferences can create random slowdowns. Just remember to back up your brushes, actions, and presets before resetting.