How to set up QuickBooks Desktop to work from home

Learn how to use your QuickBooks Desktop from home and your office.

If you’re transitioning to working from home during this time, we’ll show you how to set up your QuickBooks company file so you can access it from home or the office

Option 1: Move or Install QuickBooks to another computer

We’ve made it easy for you to move or reinstall your QuickBooks to another computer. If you prefer to install QuickBooks on your home computer versus the office, check out these helpful resources.

• Move or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to another computer using the Migrator Tool
• Move your company files to another computer
• Install QuickBooks Desktop

Option 2: Set up or open a company file from a remote server

To access your QuickBooks Desktop product and data file stored at a different location, you’ll need a hosting service. You can store your QuickBooks product and data file(s) on a service provider's servers. This allows you to use your QuickBooks securely, anywhere and anytime. As long as you have access to the internet, you can use a remote desktop connection.

Check out these helpful resources for hosting your data file.

• What hosting providers are authorized by Intuit?

Option 3: Set up or open a company file from a remote computer

To access your QuickBooks Desktop data file stored at a different location, you’ll need a designated client computer. You can install your QuickBooks product on more than one computer (home and office) but only one computer can access the data file(s) at one time.

Check out these helpful resources on how to access your data file remotely.

• Open a company file located on a remote computer
• Install QuickBooks Desktop Database Server Manager
• How do I map a network drive in Windows?
• Recommended networks for QuickBooks

Option 4: Switch your QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

You can make a switch to QuickBooks Online. You’ll be able to access your data file from any device with internet access.