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QuickBooks Desktop no longer supports Windows 7

by Intuit• Updated 2 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 security number and bank account information, we recommend that Windows 7 users upgrade to Windows 10 before installing their product.

Note: If you need to reinstall or move QuickBooks Desktop to another computer, we’ll show you how using the migrator tool.

Frequently asked questions

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

Do I need to upgrade if I have QuickBooks Desktop Plus?

Yes, Microsoft’s decision to no longer provide security updates or support to PCs running Windows 7 also impacts QuickBooks Desktop Plus products.

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.

Do I need to upgrade if I have Windows Server 2008?

Yes, after January 14, 2020, Microsoft no longer provides security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008.

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 business is subscribed to Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESUs)?

Extended Security Updates allow you to receive important security updates for Windows 7 from Microsoft for up to three more years. These can help you keep your system secure, even after Windows 7’s end of life. However, our notification systems can't distinguish between customers who receive Extended Security Updates and customers who don't. Because of this, you'll still see the same notices and prompts as other Windows 7 users.

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.

I use a hosted version of QuickBooks, what should I do?

Most hosting providers will upgrade their systems to move to Windows 10 or to newer versions of Windows Server. If you’re not sure what version your hosting provider is using or what their plans are for upgrading to Windows 10, you should contact them for more info.

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 or a backup service such as Intuit Data Protect before you begin the upgrade.

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