Learn how to install and setup QuickBooks Desktop (Pro, Premier, or Enterprise).
If you haven’t already, you can download QuickBooks Desktop from the Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) or the download site. Save the file somewhere you can find it (like your Windows desktop). Have your product and license number handy.
There are 3 ways you can setup workstations and servers on your network. Choose the option that works best for your company.
Note: If you use a Linux server to host your files, check out the Install Linux Database Manager to get more detailed info.
Client-Server network
In this setup you have a central server where you share your company files. You need to install QuickBooks Desktop on each workstation, or client. Clients access the company file on the server.
Peer-to-Peer network
A peer-to-peer network is similar to a client-server network, with one exception, there isn’t a server. You’ll install the QuickBooks Database Manager and QuickBooks Desktop on a workstation to share and access the file in QuickBooks. You’ll install QuickBooks Desktop only on the other workstations to access the company file over the network.
Remote Hosting Services
Remote hosting can be setup in one of two ways:
Local Terminal Server: A terminal server is a central server on your local network that your users can access remotely. You’ll install QuickBooks Desktop and store your company files on this server. Your users connect to the server remotely to run QuickBooks Desktop and access your files. You don’t need to install QuickBooks Desktop on workstations.
Your network needs to have a bandwidth of 40 Mbps or higher. Contact your network administrator to learn how to improve your network speed.
To test your network speed:
Find a large data file (150 MB or larger) for testing.
Note the size of your test file in megabytes (MB).
Copy your test file from the shared folder to the computer.
Note the time it takes (in seconds) to copy.
Use this formula to determine your network bandwidth: File size (in MB) x 8 / copy time For example 150 MB x 8 / 25 seconds = 48 Mb per second (Mbps)
Step 2: Install QuickBooks Desktop
To watch more how-to videos, visit our video section.
Once you download QuickBooks Desktop, select how you want to set up QuickBooks to see the install steps.
Note: If you’re upgrading or moving your books to QuickBooks Desktop, make a backup of your data before you install. Make sure to keep either your previous accounting system or print outs of your books. The IRS requires that 10 years of records be kept.
Note: If you need to install or move QuickBooks Desktop to another computer, we'll show you how you can do it with the migrator tool.
Make sure you have an active internet connection.
Open the file QuickBooks.exe.
Select
Express install - This will save all the preferences and install over your previous version of QuickBooks. You’ll need to use custom install to reinstall your previous version to access it.
Custom and Network Options - This lets you install the new version in a different location and keep prior versions installed. Your prior version preferences are not added to the new version.
Use these steps to install QuickBooks on either a dedicated server or computers that access the data on a server. This can also be a Terminal server or a server that hosts both QuickBooks and your company file.
I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer to install on a workstation.
I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer AND I’ll be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network to install QuickBooks on a server and host files on the same computer. Use this option to install on a Terminal Server.
I will NOT be using QuickBooks on this computer. I will be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network to install only the QuickBooks Database Manger on a server to host files.
Select Next.
Select Next to start the install.
If you want to change the installation location, select Change the install location then Browse to decide where to put your QuickBooks folder. Most people put it in their Programs folder.
When it finishes, select Open QuickBooks.
If you need help with your network setup contact an IT professional. After you install, QuickBooks will ask you to activate and update it. If you need help, here's how to activate QuickBooks Desktop.
Next, you’ll need to setup a folder to create or store your company file in. If your data is shared from a server, you’ll need to setup a shared folder. You’ll need admin rights to the server where your company file(s) are stored and to the workstations to create shared folders.