The process for obtaining a validation code depends on the source of your purchase, Brotherstrade.If you purchased QuickBooks Desktop online, check your email inbox for a receipt or confirmation message containing the validation code, along with your license number and product number. If you purchased a physical copy, check the printing on the packaging or installation documents within the box. For advanced users, the validation code can be accessed in the registry. You can locate it as follows: Open the File Explorer (Windows Key + E). Navigate to: C:\ProgramData\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks. Find the QBRegistration.dat file. Open it with Notepad (right-click, Open with > Notepad). Search for "License Number" (Ctrl+F) to find the validation code. It's also important to know that if you’re trying to activate a version of QuickBooks that is no longer supported or older than 3 years, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer version, as Intuit does not provide validation codes for discontinued products. If you cannot locate your validation code or experience activation issues, you can contact our QuickBooks Desktop Phone Support team and provide them with your product information. They can offer other options tailored to your situation. If you need further assistance or have more QuickBooks concerns, please leave a reply below. The Community team is always available to help.

Question

How can I get a validation code to register my quickbooks

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
July 23, 2025
2 replies
210 views

No text available

QuickBooks Desktop

Nicole_N

QuickBooks Team

The process for obtaining a validation code depends on the source of your purchase, Brotherstrade.

If you purchased QuickBooks Desktop online, check your email inbox for a receipt or confirmation message containing the validation code, along with your license number and product number. If you purchased a physical copy, check the printing on the packaging or installation documents within the box.

For advanced users, the validation code can be accessed in the registry. You can locate it as follows:

Open the File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
Navigate to: C:\ProgramData\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks.
Find the QBRegistration.dat file.
Open it with Notepad (right-click, Open with > Notepad).
Search for "License Number" (Ctrl+F) to find the validation code.

It's also important to know that if you’re trying to activate a version of QuickBooks that is no longer supported or older than 3 years, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer version, as Intuit does not provide validation codes for discontinued products.

If you cannot locate your validation code or experience activation issues, you can contact our QuickBooks Desktop Phone Support team and provide them with your product information. They can offer other options tailored to your situation.

If you need further assistance or have more QuickBooks concerns, please leave a reply below. The Community team is always available to help.

S

Shiva512

This is incorrect. The validation code is not contained in QBRegistration.dat

The license number, sure. But you can more easily find that by just tapping F2?

The validation code is generated by Quickbooks using the license number and product number. It is essential to actually use the software (to activate it).

Certainly folks on the "quickbooks team" know this? It's been repeated here so many times.

Validation Code is not license number, it's not obtainable in CAMPS.