diff --git a/qt/aqt/addons.py b/qt/aqt/addons.py
index 489405542..facf5262b 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/addons.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/addons.py
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ and have been disabled: %(found)s"
         log = []
         errs = []
 
-        self.mw.progress.start(immediate=True, parent=parent)
+        self.mw.progress.start(parent=parent)
         try:
             for path in paths:
                 base = os.path.basename(path)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
index ce0d5c486..91773f14c 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ where id > ?""",
                 (_("Are you sure you wish to delete %s?") % deck["name"]) + extra
             )
         ):
-            self.mw.progress.start(immediate=True)
+            self.mw.progress.start()
             self.mw.col.decks.rem(did, True)
             self.mw.progress.finish()
             self.show()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/exporting.py b/qt/aqt/exporting.py
index 782e4d383..c6716462d 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/exporting.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/exporting.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ class ExportDialog(QDialog):
                 future.result()
                 self.on_export_finished()
 
-            self.mw.progress.start(immediate=True)
+            self.mw.progress.start()
             hooks.media_files_did_export.append(exported_media)
 
             self.mw.taskman.run_in_background(do_export, on_done)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/importing.py b/qt/aqt/importing.py
index dc3a3bc40..ce217287a 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/importing.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/importing.py
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ you can enter it here. Use \\t to represent tab."""
             self.importer.model["did"] = did
             self.mw.col.models.save(self.importer.model, updateReqs=False)
         self.mw.col.decks.select(did)
-        self.mw.progress.start(immediate=True)
+        self.mw.progress.start()
         self.mw.checkpoint(_("Import"))
 
         def on_done(future: Future):
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index 681accbd9..adbdcade7 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ close the profile or restart Anki."""
             label = _("Closing...")
         else:
             label = _("Backing Up...")
-        self.progress.start(label=label, immediate=True)
+        self.progress.start(label=label)
         corrupt = False
         try:
             self.maybeOptimize()
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ from the profile screen."
         # have two weeks passed?
         if (intTime() - self.pm.profile["lastOptimize"]) < 86400 * 14:
             return
-        self.progress.start(label=_("Optimizing..."), immediate=True)
+        self.progress.start(label=_("Optimizing..."))
         self.col.optimize()
         self.pm.profile["lastOptimize"] = intTime()
         self.pm.save()
@@ -902,14 +902,17 @@ title="%s" %s>%s</button>""" % (
         self.media_syncer.start()
 
     def can_auto_sync(self) -> bool:
-        return (self.pm.auto_syncing_enabled()
+        return (
+            self.pm.auto_syncing_enabled()
             and self.pm.sync_auth()
             and not self.safeMode
-            and not self.restoringBackup)
+            and not self.restoringBackup
+        )
 
     # legacy
     def _sync(self):
         pass
+
     onSync = on_sync_button_clicked
 
     # Tools
diff --git a/qt/aqt/progress.py b/qt/aqt/progress.py
index a6ed79629..0bf80ee91 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/progress.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/progress.py
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ class ProgressManager:
     # Creating progress dialogs
     ##########################################################################
 
-    # note: immediate is no longer used
     def start(
         self, max=0, min=0, label=None, parent=None, immediate=False
     ) -> Optional[ProgressDialog]:
@@ -83,7 +82,7 @@ class ProgressManager:
         self._updating = False
         self._show_timer = QTimer(self.mw)
         self._show_timer.setSingleShot(True)
-        self._show_timer.start(600)
+        self._show_timer.start(immediate and 100 or 600)
         qconnect(self._show_timer.timeout, self._on_show_timer)
         return self._win
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/stats.py b/qt/aqt/stats.py
index 646d42fd5..0ad23deeb 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/stats.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/stats.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class DeckStats(QDialog):
         self.refresh()
 
     def refresh(self):
-        self.mw.progress.start(immediate=True, parent=self)
+        self.mw.progress.start(parent=self)
         stats = self.mw.col.stats()
         stats.wholeCollection = self.wholeCollection
         self.report = stats.report(type=self.period)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/sync.py b/qt/aqt/sync.py
index d3900425a..331aeab03 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/sync.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/sync.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from aqt.utils import askUser, askUserDialog, showText, showWarning, tr
 # fixme: catch auth error in other routines, clear sync auth
 # fixme: sync progress
 # fixme: curDeck marking collection modified
-# fixme: show progress immediately
+
 
 class FullSyncChoice(enum.Enum):
     CANCEL = 0
@@ -47,7 +47,9 @@ def get_sync_status(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, callback: Callable[[SyncOutput], None])
     def on_future_done(fut):
         callback(fut.result())
 
-    mw.taskman.run_in_background(lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_status(auth), on_future_done)
+    mw.taskman.run_in_background(
+        lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_status(auth), on_future_done
+    )
 
 
 def sync_collection(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
@@ -84,6 +86,7 @@ def sync_collection(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
         lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_collection(auth),
         on_future_done,
         label=tr(TR.SYNC_CHECKING),
+        immediate=True,
     )
 
 
@@ -180,6 +183,7 @@ def full_upload(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
         label=tr(TR.SYNC_UPLOADING_TO_ANKIWEB),
     )
 
+
 def sync_login(
     mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_success: Callable[[], None], username="", password=""
 ) -> None:
diff --git a/qt/aqt/taskman.py b/qt/aqt/taskman.py
index 9b9fe4221..b0493a1ab 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/taskman.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/taskman.py
@@ -67,8 +67,9 @@ class TaskManager(QObject):
         on_done: Optional[Callable[[Future], None]] = None,
         parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
         label: Optional[str] = None,
+        immediate: Bool = False,
     ):
-        self.mw.progress.start(parent=parent, label=label)
+        self.mw.progress.start(parent=parent, label=label, immediate=immediate)
 
         def wrapped_done(fut):
             self.mw.progress.finish()