Install QuickBooks Desktop

This article provides instructions to install and set up QuickBooks Desktop (Pro, Premier, or Enterprise). The primary method is to run the QuickBooks.exe file you downloaded and follow the on-screen prompts, choosing between an Express or Custom install.

Prerequisites

Before starting, you need to download QuickBooks Desktop and have your product and license number ready. You can get these from the Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) or the download site. Save the download file somewhere you can easily find it, like your Windows desktop.

Find your product and license number

Follow this link to Find QuickBooks Desktop license info. 

Check system requirements

• QuickBooks Desktop 2024
• QuickBooks Desktop 2023
• QuickBooks Desktop 2022

Back up your data

If you are upgrading or moving your books, create a backup of your data before you install. The IRS requires that 10 years of records be kept, so make sure to keep either your previous accounting system or print-outs of your books.

Step 1: Choose your installation type

Open the QuickBooks.exe file and follow the prompts. The installer will ask you to choose between two main installation types.

• Express install: This option saves all preferences and installs over your previous version of QuickBooks. This is best if you will use QuickBooks on only one computer.
• Custom and Network Options: This option lets you install the new version in a different location, keep prior versions, and set up network sharing. This is for multi-user, multi-computer, or server-based setups.

Step 2: Perform an Install 

Explore the benefits of moving to QuickBooks Online including automatic updates for the latest version of QuickBooks, tracking and sending invoices on the go and mobile alerts. Learn more about QuickBooks Online.

Express install (Standalone computer)

Use these steps to install on one computer for the first time or to reinstall on a single computer.

Note: If you need to install or move QuickBooks Desktop to another computer, we'll show you how you can do it with the migrator tool.

1. Ensure you have an active internet connection.
2. Open the file QuickBooks.exe.
3. Select Express install.
4. Select Next.
5. Select Install.
6. When the installation finishes, select Open QuickBooks.

Custom and network install (Multi-user network)

Use these steps to install QuickBooks on workstations that access data on a server, or on a dedicated server that hosts your company files. This can also be a Terminal server.

Note: If you want to use a Linux server, check out Install QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise on a Linux server for more info.

1. Ensure you have an active internet connection.
2. Open the file QuickBooks.exe.
3. Select Custom and Network Options and then Next.
4. Select the option that describes your setup:
   • I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer: Select this to install on a workstation.
   • I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer AND I’ll be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network: Select this to install on a server (or workstation) that will both run QuickBooks and host the files. This is also the option for a Terminal Server.
   • I will NOT be using QuickBooks on this computer. I will be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network: Select this to install only the QuickBooks Database Manager on a server that will only host files.
5. Select Next.
6. If you want to change the installation location, select Change the install location and Browse to choose a new folder, such as your Programs folder.
7. Select Next to start the install.
8. When it finishes, select Open QuickBooks.

Step 3: Set up network sharing and company files

Understand network setup options

QuickBooks Desktop can be set up in several ways for network access. If you need help with your network setup, contact an IT professional.

• Client-Server network: A central server hosts the company files. QuickBooks Desktop is installed on each workstation (client), which accesses the file on the server.
• Peer-to-Peer network: There is no dedicated server. The QuickBooks Database Manager and QuickBooks Desktop are installed on one workstation to share the file. Other workstations install only QuickBooks Desktop to access the file over the network.
• Remote Hosting Services: This can be a Local Terminal Server or QuickBooks Desktop with Hosting.
  • Local Terminal Server: A central server on your local network hosts QuickBooks Desktop and the company files. Users connect remotely to run QuickBooks and do not need it installed on their workstations.
  • QuickBooks Desktop with Hosting: Intuit uses Rightworks to power hosted versions. For pricing info, check out QuickBooks Desktop With Hosting Pricing.

Check out How to host a QuickBooks Desktop company file for more info.

Test your network bandwidth (Network install only)

Your network requires a bandwidth of 40 Mbps or higher. Contact your network administrator to learn how to improve your network speed.

1. Find a large data file (150 MB or larger). Note the file size in megabytes (MB).
2. Copy the test file from the shared folder to the computer.
3. Note the time it takes (in seconds) to copy.
4. Use this formula to determine your network bandwidth: File size (in MB) x 8 / copy time. (Example: 150 MB x 8 / 25 seconds = 48 Mbps).

Next steps

Activate and update QuickBooks

After you install, QuickBooks will ask you to activate and update it. If you need help, here's how to activate QuickBooks Desktop.

Open or create your company file

You need to set up a folder to create or store your company file. You will need admin rights to the server and workstations to create shared folders.

Note: You can work with an authorized ProAdvisor, or QuickBooks Solutions Provider to set up your company file, add users, and fine-tune their access.

For a single computer (no network)

You can either create a new file or update an existing one.

Create a new company file

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Select Create A New Company, or go to File and select New Company.
3. Select Express Start.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Update an existing company file

Update your company files to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop

For a network with multiple computers

1. Set up a shared folder on your server to hold your company files.
2. Install QuickBooks on all workstations (see "How to perform a Custom and Network install" above).
3. Set up multi-user hosting by turning on multi-user mode on the server:
   • Start QuickBooks Desktop on the server.
   • Go to File, then select Utilities.
   • Make sure you see Stop Hosting Multi-User Access (this means it's on).
   • If you only installed the QuickBooks Database Server Manager, you must scan your company files.
4. Configure firewall and internet security settings.
5. Map a network drive to the shared folder on your server.
6. Open QuickBooks.

Once you download QuickBooks Desktop, select how you want to set up QuickBooks to see the install steps.

Note: If you’re upgrading or moving your books to QuickBooks Desktop, make a backup of your data before you install. Make sure to keep either your previous accounting system or print outs of your books. The IRS requires that 10 years of records be kept.

After you install, QuickBooks will ask you to activate and update it. If you need help, here's how to activate QuickBooks Desktop.

Note: You can work with an authorized ProAdvisor, or QuickBooks Solutions Provider to set up your company file, add users, and fine-tune their access.