QuickBooksHelpIntuit

QuickBooks Desktop no longer supports Windows 7

by Intuit• Updated 6 months ago

Get answers to commonly asked questions if you use Windows 7.

As of January 14, 2020, Microsoft no longer provides security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. This means that computers running on Windows 7 are more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. To avoid these risks, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 10.

At Intuit, the security of our customer's data is a top priority. To help customers secure their personal information, like their Social Insurance number and bank account information, we recommend that Windows 7 users upgrade to Windows 10 before installing their product.

Frequently asked questions

Here are helpful answers to frequently asked questions if you use Windows 7.

What are the minimum system requirements for QuickBooks Desktop?

Learn about the minimum system requirements for QuickBooks Desktop.

What does this mean for older versions of QuickBooks Desktop (2019 and earlier)?

You can still use older versions of QuickBooks Desktop. However, upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 helps to protect your QuickBooks Desktop data, including your customers' and employees' sensitive information.

If I upgrade my operating system, will it work with my other installed software?

Other software should work with an upgraded operating system. Check the system requirements for each one to see if it supports your new operating system.

What’s the difference between desktop software and online software?

Desktop software is an application installed on the computer itself that runs via the operating system. Online software is stored on the web and runs through an internet browser.

Where can I get help with my operating system?

Visit Microsoft’s Windows 7 site if you need help updating Windows on your PC.

The system requirements for newer versions of Windows are the same as Windows 7. You can confirm if your computer will support Windows 10 by reviewing Microsoft’s system requirements.

What if my computer is never online? I only update QuickBooks using patches downloaded on another computer?

While it's possible to use QuickBooks in an offline mode, our system requirements for all current versions of QuickBooks call for an online connection. We can't guarantee full QuickBooks performance without an internet connection.

Do all of these answers also apply to Windows Server 2008?

Yes. Windows Server 2008 is the server version of Windows 7. QuickBooks 2020 supports the latest Windows Server version, which is Windows Server 2019. We recommend that you upgrade to Windows 10 since the older versions of Windows no longer receive security updates.

I see mention of possible software functionality issues for Windows 7/Server 2008. I also use older versions of Windows. Should I be worried?

Older versions of Windows are already out of date and are also no longer receiving security updates. If you're using an older version of Windows, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to Windows 10.

My older version of QuickBooks doesn’t indicate that it will run on Windows 10/Server 2016. Do I need to also upgrade QuickBooks?

We haven’t tested the older versions of QuickBooks with Windows 10. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of QuickBooks to ensure compatibility.

Do I need to uninstall QuickBooks before upgrading the operating system?

You don’t need to uninstall QuickBooks before you start. We do recommend that you back up your company files using an external drive.

Sign in now for personalized help

See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.