cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
LeMarque
Level 1

Moving accounts to a new PC

My wife's ( a bookkeeper using Accountant 2019) is getting a new PC. Win10 from Win7

 

Currently she stores her files under something like c:\hername\qbclients\companyname

 

Plan is to backup all companies and restore to the new PC. But I recall that somehow QB wants the same file structure or it will say it can't find the file; or some such thing, after restoring.

 

So, what to do if we want the new machine to have a structure like:

c:\clients\clientname ?

 

Thanks for any help

5 Comments 5
Charies_M
Moderator

Moving accounts to a new PC

I'm glad you came here, LeMarque.

 

You can change your company file's location stored in your new computer by following the steps below:

  1. Go to the location where your file is currently saved.
  2. Right click your company file (with green icon before the name or .qbw at the end of the name) then choose Copy.
  3. Go to another location (e.g desktop or new folder/ location where you want to save it) paste the company file.
  4. Open QuickBooks and click on Open or restore an existing company then select Open a company file. Click on Next.
  5. On the next window, locate your file (with green icon before the name or .qbw at the end of the name) using the location where you paste the file.
  6. Once you found it, highlight then click on Open button.
  7. It will now show up the log in screen.

If you wish to create a backup of you company file, here's an article that you can refer for the detailed steps: Create backup of the QuickBooks Desktop company file.

 

I'm always here to help you with any QuickBooks questions. You have a wonderful day ahead!

LeMarque
Level 1

Moving accounts to a new PC

Thanks

So if I understand you correctly, (again, moving everything to a different PC) I don't need to backup the client companies? I can just copy the *.qbw  files to say a thumb drive; then paste them to the new directory structure on the new PC?

 

And then "Open or restore an existing company" and QB won't balk about its location being different?

And she does payroll for most clients. And all I need to do here is copy the Tax Forms folder over to the same new directory?

 

Charies_M
Moderator

Moving accounts to a new PC

I appreciate the prompt response, LeMarque.

 

Yes, you can just copy the .qbw files and paste them to the new directory structure. However, I suggest you secure a backup of your company file to safeguard your data in case restoring won't be successful.

 

For a complete details on how to move company files to a new computer, here's an article or you: Move your company files to another computer.

 

Also, the answer to your last question is yes. You can use the same new directory where the bookkeeper can perform payroll task.

 

Let me know if you have additional questions. I'm always here to help. Wish you all the best.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Moving accounts to a new PC

@LeMarque ,

1. I would recommend not to store your data in C drive. You may create a specific drive for your QuickBooks data.

 

2. Copy the original QBW files to the new drive (e.g Q drive)

q:\clients\clientfile-1.qbw

q:\clients\clientfile-2.qbw

q:\clients\clientfile-3.qbw

 

or

 

q:\nameoftheclient1\clientfile-1.qbw

q:\nameoftheclient2\clientfile-2.qbw

q:\nameoftheclient3\clientfile-3.qbw

 

3. Open/restore the file on Accountant 2020. In each folder you should get:

a. QBB of the old file (i.e 2019 version)

b. The converted QBW file

 

Just my 2 cents.

LeMarque
Level 1

Moving accounts to a new PC

Thanks Fiat_Lux

 

Just one drive in her new laptop and I don't have time to add a second. But we use Acronis and backup to the cloud automagically.

Need to get in touch?

Contact us