Amuze - I run Enterprise desktop 2022 and have had this problem for some time.  As I noted above I only solved it when I installed a dedicated computer to run our UPS Worldship on (it requires SQL Server) and took the SQL Server COMPLETELY off my computer.  I discovered I had SQL Server 2012 and 2014 installed in both Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories on my C drive.  I thought about trying SQL Server 2019 to see if the compatibility issue affects that version but after some research into SQL Server I decided I did not know enough to install and configure SQL Server correctly with any confidence so I opted for the simple stand alone computer.  After removing all SQL Server items on my computer Quickbooks immediately cleaned up and acted perfectly (for any version of QB).  Since that was the ONLY thing I did I have to conclude that it is 100% certain that it is the interface between Quickbooks and SQL Server that causes the problem.   I did look extensively for another software program that would replace QB for us but I could not determine if any of them actually would offer the good features of QB without additional steps/work.  Many of them are what I call "module based" programs where each function is a module you work in and then have to post the results into a general ledger or control module.  The old DAC Easy program worked this way and my limited exposure to Peachtree was based on this concept.  I have loved the simplicity of QB since I bought my first installation some 20 or 25 years ago.  It is inexcusable that they have not solved this problem in the time they have known about it.  If I could find a program that truly has the good features of QB I would probably switch to it as I have paid a small fortune for my version along with the payroll and support fees (into it about $6000 now).  I would gladly pay that for a new system with better support since I had to solve this problem on my own.  Please do let us know if you find a system that truly takes the place of Quickbooks.