A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to execute the operational instructions to perform various operations and functions. The computing device determines a performance level that is based on updating of an index node that is associated with distributed storage within the DSN of a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that is associated with a data object. When the computing device determines to modify an index node update time period based on the performance level that is based on the updating of the index node, the computing device further determines whether to shorten or lengthen the index node update time period and selectively/adaptively performs such shorten or lengthen operations based on such determination.