Update QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to the latest version

Learn how to update QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to the latest version.

When you’re ready to update QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to the latest version, it’s best that you do it after-hours or over the weekend. This way, you’ll have the least disruption to your normal work hours.

Note: Before you get started, check the system requirements for QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

• Make sure your company file is ready to update
• Install the latest version of Enterprise on the server
• Configure network and server settings
• Install the latest version of Enterprise on all your workstations

Step 1: Make sure your company file is ready to update

Before you install the newest version of Enterprise, make sure your company file doesn’t have any data damage.

1. Log in to QuickBooks as the Admin. The Admin account must have a password.
2. Go to the Company menu, then Users and select Edit the Admin user.
3. Remove special characters like ":" "&" and "/" from the company file name, then make sure the extension is .qbw.
4. Exit and restart QuickBooks.
5. Go to the Window menu, then select Close All.
6. Go to the File menu, then select Utilities.
7. Select Verify Data.

Once it’s done, you’ll see QuickBooks detected no problems with your data file. If you see any other message, follow the instructions to fix it, then verify the data again. Once QuickBooks detects no problems, you can install Enterprise.

Step 2: Install the latest version of Enterprise on the server

Before you get started, make sure to download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

1. Close all running programs, including anti-virus programs.
2. Double-click the Enterprise file you downloaded.
3. Select Server Install, then select Database Server and QuickBooks Application.
   1. If you have a server only install, it’s best to install the update over your previous version. You can also use the full program install instead.
   2. If you have the full program with the QuickBooks Database Manager on your computer, then you can install over the previous version. You can also keep both versions. One Database Manager will run the services for one or multiple versions installed.
4. Follow the onscreen prompts until the install is done. If you receive an error message during install and reboot your system and try the install again.
5. Open your company file in the new version of QuickBooks.
6. Sign in as the Admin. QuickBooks will back up your file before updating it. Once the company file updates, it’ll open.

(Optional) Once you’ve successfully installed your new version, you can uninstall old versions of QuickBooks from the server, including any database managers.

To do this:

1. Select the Windows Start button.
2. Select Settings, then select Control Panel.
3. Select Add or Remove Programs.
4. Locate the old version of QuickBooks, then select Uninstall/change and follow the onscreen prompts.

Step 3: Configure network and server settings

Here’s how to set your network up to work with QuickBooks in a multi-user environment.

1. Select the Windows Start button, then select Programs.
2. Select QuickBooks, then select QuickBooks Database Manager.
3. Select Scan Folders.
4. Add the folder where you store your company file.
5. Scan the folder. You’ll see your company file at the bottom of the window.
6. Close the Database Server Manager.

Step 4: Install the latest version of Enterprise on all your workstations

Uninstall previous versions of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

Before you get started with Enterprise, make sure all your workstations are using the same version. If a workstation is using an older version of Enterprise, you won’t be able to open the company file once it updates.

To uninstall all old versions of Enterprise from all workstations:

1. Select the Windows Start button, then select Settings.
2. Select Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs.
3. Locate the old version of QuickBooks, then select Uninstall/change and follow the onscreen prompts.

Download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

If you haven't already, download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to the workstation.

Install the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to workstations

1. Close all running programs, including anti-virus programs.
2. Double-click the Enterprise file you downloaded.
3. Select Server Install, then select Database Server and QuickBooks Application.
4. Select Express. If you select Select the Custom and Network, make sure to select I'll be using QuickBooks on this computer, but the company file will be located on a different computer.
5. Follow the onscreen prompts until the install is done.
6. Open your company file in the new version of QuickBooks.
7. Sign in as the Admin. QuickBooks will back up your file before updating it. Once the company file updates, it’ll open.