Upgrade FAQs

Q: Can I upgrade to a web-based product that allows me to access QuickBooks when I'm on the road?

A: You can upgrade to QuickBooks Online Plus—a web-based subscription that gives you the flexibility to access business information from work, home or the road—even from your iPhone^TM. Learn more.

Q: Will my data from previous QuickBooks versions be transferred safely if I upgrade to QuickBooks 2010?

A: Yes, when you open QuickBooks 2010 the first time, the new software will find the older version of QuickBooks on your computer, and import your company file and preferences for you.

Q: Can I upgrade all older QuickBooks software versions to the latest version?

A: Yes. If you're a Windows user, you can upgrade from all older versions of QuickBooks to any version of QuickBooks 2010 for Windows. You can also convert data from some QuickBooks Mac editions to QuickBooks Windows editions. (Additional software may be required.)

Q: How long does it take to upgrade?

A: In most cases, it will take under an hour to upgrade your data.¹ Many files take even less time. All your existing preferences and data transfer safely and automatically at the same time.

Q: What if I plan to get a new computer with Windows Vista and Windows 7?

A: QuickBooks 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are compatible with Windows Vista as well as Windows XP. Our plan is that QuickBooks 2010 will be compatible with Windows 7. However, the final version of Windows 7 will release either at the same time as QuickBooks 2010 or after. We will continue to provide information on compatibility as we are able to test our product on newer versions of Windows 7.

For a full list of our system requirements and other compatible programs, please see our system requirements documentation.

Q: How do I upgrade my Pro 5 User or Premier 5 User Editions?

A: If you own a previous version of Pro 5 or Premier 5 and need more than 3 user access, you can easily purchase a Pro 3 User or Premier 3 User Edition 2010 and two separate single user licenses of your respective product.² If you own a previous version of Pro 5 and need more than 3 user access, you can easily purchase a Pro 3 User Edition 2010 and two separate Pro Edition 2010 single user licenses.

Similarly, if you own a previous version of Premier 5 and need more than 3 user access, you can easily purchase a Premier 3 User Edition 2010 and two separate Premier Edition 2010 single user licenses.

To purchase additional licenses from within your QuickBooks, go to the Help menu → Manage My License → Buy additional user license. You will see a web page that allows you to select "Add seats online" or "Add seats by phone".

Q: Why upgrade now?

A: You can upgrade your QuickBooks anytime! However, in addition to benefiting from the latest time saving QuickBooks features that make managing your business finances easier, there are other important reasons to upgrade now. Starting May 31, 2010 we will no longer be offering access to live technical support or add-on business services for QuickBooks 2007 (see www.quickbooks.com/discontinue for details).

Q: What if I want to install the software on a new computer?

A: Just install the 2010 software program on the new computer and move your company file to the new computer. All of your data will convert to the 2009 program when you open an existing company file for the first time with the new software.

Q: How do I update my existing company file?

A: You will be automatically prompted to update existing company files the first time you open them with the new QuickBooks program. Also, we recommend that you do not store QuickBooks company files in your Program Files folder. If you have existing company files in that folder, QuickBooks will help you move them.

Q: On which operating systems will QuickBooks 2010 run?

A: QuickBooks 2010 system requirements will run on Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003 Server, and the new Windows 2008 Server, but will not run on older versions of Windows operating systems, which includes Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/ME/NT 4.0 (SP6a).Our plan is that QuickBooks 2010 will be compatible with Windows 7. However, the final version of Windows 7 will release either at the same time as QuickBooks 2010 or after. We will continue to provide information on compatibility as we are able to test our product on newer versions of Windows 7.

Read the full description of system requirements for QuickBooks Pro Edition 2010.
Read the full description of system requirements for QuickBooks Premier Edition 2010.

Q: What are the technical requirements to download QuickBooks?

A: Our most satisfied customers meet three specific technical requirements before deciding to download QuickBooks:

• A high-speed Internet connection (DSL, cable modem, or higher) to accommodate the large file size. Customers with dial–up connections are highly encouraged to purchase a CD–ROM rather than downloading.
• For Windows: Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, to enable the QuickBooks Download Manager to properly manage the download for you.
• 2.5 GB free disk space for the installation. After installing QuickBooks, you can delete the installation program from your computer to free up disk space.

Q: How long does it take to download QuickBooks?

A: Below are download file sizes and typical download times for cable and DSL modems. Please note: actual download times will vary depending upon modem speed, Internet traffic, time of day, and other factors.

Product	Download File Size	Estimated Download Time (cable modem)	Estimated Download Time (DSL)
QuickBooks: Simple Start	290 MB	30 min	60 min
QuickBooks: Pro, or Premier	290 MB	30 min	60 min
QuickBooks: Enterprise Solutions	290 MB	30 min	60 min
QuickBooks Point of Sale	326 MB	30 min	60 min

Q: How can more than one person work on QuickBooks at the same time?
A: The multi-user mode³ in QuickBooks Pro and Premier allows multiple users to collaborate on the same company file at the same time. All users must be networked and must each have their own QuickBooks license.

Multi-user mode enables more than one person to work on a company file at the same time increasing collaboration and productivity. It improves accuracy because all users are working on the most up-to-date data.Additionally, it ensures data stays protected because individual user access levels can be set. To enable multi-user mode, go to the File menu in QuickBooks and choose "Multi-User Mode".
If you need 5 or more users accessing QuickBooks at the same time, please see our QuickBooks Online Edition or QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions products, or call us at 1-866-676-9668.

Q: When do I need an additional license?
A: Our standard license agreement requires separate QuickBooks licenses for each person who uses QuickBooks software. However, if you have both a laptop and desktop PC, and you're the only person using QuickBooks, you only need one license. You need to get additional licenses when additional people need to use QuickBooks on their computers. Complete details on our license agreement.

Q: What are some common situations in which businesses need to buy additional licenses?
A: The most common scenario is when more than one person in the business needs to use QuickBooks, even if only for certain specific tasks. For example, a business owner may want to have a copy of QuickBooks solely for running reports, doing payroll, and printing checks, but his office manager needs to use QuickBooks to enter sales orders and receipts. Accordingly, the business needs two licenses.

Q: What if I print out reports from my QuickBooks software for another person? Would I need to get an additional license for this person?
A: If another person is solely reviewing printed reports that you generate yourself in QuickBooks, then they don't need to get their own QuickBooks license. However, if they install and/or use QuickBooks, then they will need a separate license.

Q: Can I run QuickBooks both at the office and at home on a single-user license or do I need to purchase separate licenses for both computers? If so, how do I do that?
A: Under the single-user license, you can install QuickBooks on both your work and home computers, as long as you're the only person using QuickBooks on both computers. Also, only one person at a time can access the company file with one single-user license.

Q: How do I purchase additional licenses outside of what is available on the site?
A: You can configure your QuickBooks to suit however many users you need. If you have more than 3 users of Pro or Premier, we recommend that you call 1-866-379-6635 and order from one of our sales consultants. They will ensure that you are set up with the proper number of licenses and that you receive receive a discount for purchasing additional QuickBooks user licenses.

If you already have a copy of QuickBooks, you can also add additional licenses from within the product. To do so, go to the Help menu, click on "Manage My License" to purchase additional licenses. You will see a web page that allows you to select "Purchase additional licenses via phone" or "Purchase additional licenses via web". If you choose to purchase additional licenses by phone, you will be given a phone number to call and a representative can assist you in purchasing an additional license. If you choose to purchase additional seats over the Internet, you will be directed to the in-product e-Store to make your additional purchases.

Q: Is there a discount if I purchase an additional user or license?
A: Yes, you will save 10% off a single-user copy of Pro or Premier when you purchase an additional license. Currently, you cannot receive the discount by ordering from the QuickBooks.com Web site. To receive this discount, you need to order through one of our sales consultants by calling 1-866-379-6635.

Or, if you already have a copy of QuickBooks 2010, you can purchase additional licenses from within the product. Learn how to purchase additional licenses.

Q: Can I run multiple companies from one copy of QuickBooks?
A: Yes. You can run as many companies as you want from one copy of QuickBooks. Of course, you'll still need a separate license for each user of QuickBooks if you have multiple users.

Q: What is the maximum number of simultaneous users for a QuickBooks company file?
A: QuickBooks can accommodate up to 30 simultaneous users.³ QuickBooks Pro and Premier Editions are best suited for businesses with 1-4 users. (Note that one license is required for each user. A server does not count as a user if no one works on QuickBooks on the server itself). If your business has 5 or more users, please call us at 1-866-379-6635.

Q: Can I install a copy of QuickBooks on my network server? Do I need an additional license?
A: You do not need a separate license if you install QuickBooks on a server for other users to access, but no one directly uses QuickBooks on that server. By choosing the Server Installation during the Installation Interview, QuickBooks will install a version that is appropriate for server access but not for regular QuickBooks use.

If you install QuickBooks on your server, you still must have a license for every user of the program. Only certain configurations involving shared company data files are allowed.

Q: What if I have more questions about multiple users?
A: You can access additional help on multiple users in several different places:

• During the QuickBooks installation process
• In the materials included with your QuickBooks software
• On our support Web-site

Q: When should I consider QuickBooks Online Edition?
A: QuickBooks Online Edition is ideal if you would like to access your books from home, the office, or on the road—any place with an Internet connection. It also provides the flexibility for up to 25 people to work on your books at one time. You can also control what they see and how much they can do. Learn more about Online Edition.

Q: When should I consider QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions?
A: Move up to QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions when you're at the point where you need to handle larger amounts of data (resulting from having more customers, vendors, inventory, and transaction volume) and multiple users with ease. With Enterprise Solutions, you get twice the list capacity of QuickBooks Pro and Premier Editions, and you can scale up to 30 simultaneous users with 200 percent faster performance.³ The software also offers in-depth security features with different levels of access to more than 120 individual reports. And it includes 13 predefined user roles to make new user set-up fast and easy. Learn more about Enterprise Solutions.

Q: Where can I get help with QuickBooks?

A: With QuickBooks 2009, you can find fast answers and get expert help to all of your QuickBooks product questions.

From within QuickBooks 2010, you can search in-product help to find answers to common questions. You can also visit Live Community to ask questions and get answers from other QuickBooks users, accountants and experts. You can search and browse over 80,000 posts from community forum members.

To get instant answers to thousands of set-up and product questions, you can visit the QuickBooks Support Website

Or get live personalized help from trained QuickBooks experts plus free Online Backup, Data Recovery, and learning tools, by purchasing a QuickBooks Support Plan. You'll be able to contact us as often as you'd like. We're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer all your product questions.