find the splash.dib on the sonar folder (splash screen) then re-name it for ex:(splashX.dib) and sonar will load faster... 
 it will skip the (splash screen)
 
 
just a head up... 
 
cheer
 
martin

Often the programmer use the splash screen to prevent that the user can too early work in the app.
Because the app loads a lot of librairies in the background and needs some time for background processes. Then the splash-screen dissapears when all background work is done.
Dangerous.
 

ahh ok thanks for the infos..

I disabled the splash screen ages ago when it first came out by simply checking a little box that gave that option, haven't seen it since. And for me Sonar opens instantly and I can then load a song using the file menu or quick list and that takes another 5 second. 
It would seem they took that little check box away in newer versions? 

Still there. Go to Prefs - Files - Advanced - Show start screen

soens
Still there. Go to Prefs - Files - Advanced - Show start screen

I may have misunderstood here, but I don't think the "splash" screen that is being referred to and the start screen are the same thing.
 
Plat is very slow to open for me too, I didn't realise quite how slow it had gotten compared to previous versions until I opened 8.5 recently to try and help someone in another thread. 

Noel posted on how SONAR loads a couple of years ago and rewire is in there. I had loaded a 32 to 64 rewire bridge and my load times had jumped from a couple seconds to over 40. There may be other apps that do similar, but that one in particular was menacing. I forget the details of that post, but it was informative.

Sooo...you said "then re-name it for ex:(splashX.dib) " 
does that mean rename it to ex:(splashx.dib)- exactly that way with parentheses?
and this won't hurt anything?

Just rename it splash.dib.old
 
done.
 
However, each new update loads a fresh splash.dib so you have to be vigilant.

Will try....thanks!