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sheriwcorbin
Level 1

Setting up a primary and secondary quickbooks program

I am trying to set up another quickbooks program so i can have more than one company open at a time on my desktop. I have a second quickbooks progam that i bought for a laptop but im not using it. how do i set up a second quickbooks program to have it sinc with my primary? does it do it automatically or do i need to do something specific to tell it to work with my existing program?

2 Comments 2
Pabz_L
QuickBooks Team

Setting up a primary and secondary quickbooks program

Welcome to the Community, @sheriwcorbin.

 

For you to open more than one company file at the same time, you’ll need to set up a multiuser. The multi-user mode in QuickBooks allows you to install and use the same company file at the same time over a server network. 

This way you can sync and access your company file from your primary computer to secondary computer.

 

To sync files between two computers, you must connect both to the same network and make sure you've set the correct installation options for each computer.

 

Here’s how.

 

  1. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooks.exe) or insert the CD to install QuickBooks.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions. Accept the software license agreement and then select Next.
  3. Enter your Product and License numbers. Then select Next.
  4. Select I'll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer, AND I'll be storing.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the install.

 

Once done, you may now set up windows access permissions to share company files.

 

  1. Open the Windows Start menu and open File Explorer.
  2. Locate and right-click the folder containing your company files.
  3. Select Properties then Sharing and then Share Add.
  4. Select the corresponding QBDataServiceUserXX for your version.
  5. Set the permission level of both users to Full Control and select Share.

 

Please use this article to continue with the process for steps 3, 5, 6, and 7 to finish setting up a multi-user mode. Set up and install a multi-user network.

 

If you get an issue or error with a multi-user set up, you can use this article to perform some troubleshooting steps. You can download the QuickBooks Tool hub to fix common errors in QuickBooks Desktop. Troubleshoot multi-user issues for QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you need further assistance, please let me know. Take care!

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Setting up a primary and secondary quickbooks program

@sheriwcorbin 

Do you need to open more than one company file on the same screen at the same time? You can do that as long as they are not the same year versions. Keep in mind:

1. You are unable to install QB 2020 Pro and QB 2020 Premier on the same machine

2. You are able to install QB 2020 Pro and QB 2020 Enterprise on the same machine

3. You are able to install QB 2019 Pro and QB 2020 Premier on the same machine

 

 

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