I agree with you that this is very unlikely to be a SQLite fault. It's more likely a problem with what your C and D drives really are. Check for … * Folder and file protections. * Antivirus program checking that your program is allowed to access those files. * Antivirus programs scanning the database files every time they're accessed. * Automatic backup programs backing up the files every time they're accessed. Are your C or D folders actually on a server somewhere ? Have you tried plugging in a Flash drive or other external drive and putting the database on that ? Does it take more like 0.07 seconds or 5 seconds ?