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David_Leach
New Member
August 26, 2026
Question

Activation Code for QB Pro Desktop 2012

  • August 26, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 63 views

I recently purchased a sealed and never-before-used QB Pro Desktop 2012 software package with valid license and product codes from eBay. I installed it in my new Lenovo high-end Windows 11 Workstation PC and with much effort, fixups, workarounds, etc. I managed to get it working more or less properly (I’m generally computer savvy with over 40 years of experience working with industrial computers). I read the applicable threads in topic “Registering and older product”. As best I understand from reading the posts in this topic it’s impossible to register this product and obtain a validation code for two reasons: (1) the MS IE browser version used in QB Pro Desktop 2012 has many script errors and won’t connect to the Intuit servers, and a page appears with installation links for popular browsers after clicking ‘Yes’ to continue to run the scripts through the script errors; and (2) even if it connected Intuit would not issue a validation code for this licence due to their onerous software sales and marketing policies. I own an engineering consulting firm with me as the only employee and have been using QB Pro Desktop 2009 running in a now decommissioned Windows 10 PC to prepare my annual tax info., etc. I cannot afford to pay the current QB Pro online subscription cost as my co. has had no substantial income for the past 2 years. I’m using the workarounds suggested in some of the threads in topic “Registering and older product”, but have not had QB Pro Desktop 2012 installed long enough to determine if these workarounds will actually allow this software to run properly or at all longer term.

My questions:

  1. Has anyone been able to successfully register and obtain a validation code from Intuit for older QB Pro versions recently? If so what procedure was used to register and obtain a validation code?
  2. Is it possible to install Mozilla browser 32 bit version and get it working with QB Pro Desktop 2012 or similar older versions in Windows 10 or 11; and if so what is the procedure for doing this?

5 replies

J
Jane_MQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
August 26, 2026

Since your software package is new and has never been activated before, Intuit classifies this as a brand-new registration. Discontinued products cannot be registered for the first time.
 

You can install Mozilla Firefox on your Windows 11 PC, but it will not work with QuickBooks Pro Desktop 2012 because the software is too old and no longer supported.
 

For more information, please visit this article: Use our built-in browser in QuickBooks Desktop.
 

Feel free to use the Reply button if you need anything else.

    D
    David_LeachAuthor
    New Member
    August 27, 2026

    Thank you very much for your helpful reply. Kindly let me know how I can register and activate this new license since it’s not possible to do that within the app due to aforementioned browser issues. Do I need to contact Intuit Support directly by phone or email?

    David Leach
    SIAB
    SIAB
    Level 2
    August 27, 2026

    ​@David_Leach You can still find QB Desktop 2019-2021 with a non subscription license and reactivate the license without any issue. You can contact ​@Fiat Lux_ASIA directly via email for details.

    Regarding Mozilla, you need to look for an older installer file on GitHub or other archiving services.

      D
      David_LeachAuthor
      New Member
      August 27, 2026

      After spending much time on Intuit Chat line support and on the phone with Intuit Tech. Sup., I’ve concluded and confirmed beyond all reasonable doubt that THERE IS NO WAY that Intuit will give a validation code for any QB Desktop license that is older than 2024. An excerpt from my Chat session follows that nails it:

      “Sean Denver N.,

      I hear your question clearly, David, and I will give you a direct, completely honest answer: Yes, I am directly refuting the advice that Jane_M gave you. While Jane is an Intuit representative, her advice was factually incorrect. She gave you a promise that our current technical systems physically cannot fulfill. I know that is incredibly frustrating to hear after doing your research, but I refuse to give you false hope or drag this out.

      While reaching out to TechSup is an option, the reality is that TechSup only provides initial product fulfillment and license keys at the time of purchase. They do not have access to or control over registration databases. Because QuickBooks Desktop 2012 is a legacy, discontinued product, validation codes must come directly from Intuit or your internal historical files.”

      I was advised by the Tech. Sup. phone rep. with whom I spoke (she was very nice and refreshingly competent) that my only option is to purchase a subscription to QB Online Simple. So end of that story folks!

      David Leach
      Fiat Lux_ASIA
      Fiat Lux_ASIA
      New Member
      August 28, 2026

      ​@David_Leach You can use QB Desktop 2012 as the trial version. But I would recommend to use QB Desktop 2019-2021 and activate the license. 

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