2012 to 2021 direct upgrade or need to do it in stages?

I'm here to help you upgrade your QuickBooks Desktop from 2012-2021, @paul83.

As an insight, upgrading your company file from the 2012 version to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Pro 2021 is a big leap. The QBDT program has a 3-year life cycle. 

That means you have to convert your data file(s) in stages from 2012 to 2015 to 2018 to 2021. Then, restore the file in between. You need to find and install the trial license of QBD 2012 and 2015 before converting the file(s) to QBD 2021. 

You can refer to this article's Step 3 section for the step-by-step guide: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

In the meantime, I'm adding this article to help you get familiar with the program: QuickBooks Desktop user guides. It contains do-it-yourself articles, training, and pro advice links to name a few.

I'm just around to help if you need further assistance in converting your files, @paul83. Take care!

@paul83 

You may need the trial license of QBD 2015 and 2019 to upgrade the file. Contact us in private should you need those trial codes.

Hi @paul83,

Hope you’re doing great. I wanted to see how everything is going about the upgrading of your QuickBooks Desktop software concern you had yesterday. 

Was it resolved? Do you need any additional help or clarification? If you do, just let me know. I’d be happy to help you at any time.

Looking forward to your reply. Have a pleasant day ahead!

Is there a trial I can can use for 2015 to 2018? I don't need to purchase those on top of 2021 right?

Hey there, @paul83.

Thanks for following up with us. I'm happy to provide the trial links for 2015-2018. No purchase would be required to use them. 

I've included the list of trial links below, along with their License and Product numbers. 

Desktop 2018 Premier Trial:

http://dlm2.download.intuit.com/akdlm/SBD/QuickBooks/2018/US_R1/QuickBooksPremier2018.exe

License number: 2242-9013-2805-438

Product number: 587-405

Desktop 2017 Premier Trial
http://http-download.intuit.com/http.intuit/Downloads/2017/Latest/Setup_QuickBooksPremier2017.exe
License number: 6488-2251-3382-188

Product code: 766-119

Desktop 2016 Premier Trial
http://dlm2.download.intuit.com/akdlm/SBD/QuickBooks/2016/US_R1/QuickBooksPremier2016.exe
License Number: 622444428497989
Product Number: 645812

Validation Code: 237135

Desktop 2015 Premier Trial:
http://dlm2.download.intuit.com/akdlm/SBD/QuickBooks/2015/Latest/QuickBooksPremierSub2015.exe
License: 648822513382188
Product Code: 518507
Validation Code: 317107

Just as my colleague suggested above, you'll want to ensure that you gradually upgrade your file. You'll upgrade using the trial links to make the final update in 2021. Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns about this process. I'm happy to lend a hand. Take care and have a wonderful day ahead! 

Hi there.  Im in the process of upgrading Quickbooks 2012 to 2021 so on a new computer (Windows 10), I just tried downloading Quickbooks 2015 Premier Trial and using the license number and product code, but its coming back with an error of "You have entered incorrect License/Product numbers. Please check the numbers carefully".  I've double checked the number that you had listed and they match, so Im not sure why it isnt working. Do I need to install this on my PC that currently has Quickbooks 2012 (Windows 7 PC)?

Let me share some information, Cliff T. 

Currently, the trial version that we only offer and you can use is the new QuickBooks 2021. Also, you'll be unable to install it on a Windows 7 OS. You can check the system requirements for more information: System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2021.

I suggest reaching out to our Data Services team so they can help you with transferring your data. 

You're always welcome to post in the Community if you have other concern. Take care!

Thank you for this. Originally when I has asked the users if they wanted me to upgrade the QB file or start clean they said start clean but following up with them, they haven't even used the new company files and now they want to upgrade the old once. 

I'm going to use the trial keys to do do the upgrade in stages

Tori -  I just tried using the info to install 2015 and it said the key was invalid. Any suggestions?

Thanks for updating us, paul83.

To successfully upgrade QuickBooks 2012 to 2021, I'd recommend contacting our Technical Support Team. They're equipped with tools that can help you with the whole process.

Here's how to connect with them:

1. Select the Help menu.
2. Click QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Hit Contact us. 
4. Enter Upgrade from QuickBooks 2012 to 2021, in the Tell us more about your question box.
5. Tap Search.
6. Choose either Call us or Message us.

For more info about the process, see this article: Upgrade to newer versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, or Enterprise.

Additionally, I'm adding this article to help you get familiar with the program: QuickBooks Desktop user guides. This contains do-it-yourself articles, training, and pro advice links to guide you in using QuickBooks.

If you need further assistance upgrading QuickBooks, please post a reply below. I'm just a post away to help you.

@paul83 

We may share a proven trial code for QBD 2015 US Pro edition and QBD 2019 US Pro edition. Contact us in private for details.

How do we contact you in private, so we can get a trial for the 2018?

I am only going from 2015 to 2020, but assuming I need to go to 2018 first. Is that correct?

@TheRiver1 

Click the icon in the top right menu next to the US flag to send us a private message..

Hey Tori, I know it's been a while but I was hoping I could get the trial link for 2021? I'm in the process of upgrading some company files from 2012-2022, and I'll need one more step to get fully updated.

Also, I was unable to get the 2015 license code to work. Is there an updated trial license I could use?

Welcome to this conversation, @ImpactJohn. I'll be your QuickBooks guide today.

First off, ensure your computer meets the minimum requirements to install QuickBooks Desktop.

Then, check out this link to get a trial version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, you can verify whether the license number that you’ve entered is the same as listed in our system. You can get your license information by entering your business phone number on file through this link: Locate Your License.

For more insights, you can visit this article to learn more about Downloading a trial of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise. 

Visit us again if you have additional concerns. We're always around to assist you more.

Do you have 2015-2021 Enterprise so I can upgrade from 2012 to 2022?

@jreenstra 

Yes. Contact us in private for assistance.

I came here because I have 40+ QB 2012 company files to upgrade to the latest version.  It seems that the recurring advice is to contact support privately by clicking on the icon next to the country flag (top-right).  I do not see that "private contact" icon.  Please adviise.

@ambientminds 

Your profile is not allowed to send a private message at this time. Click my profile name and you will find our website address to send a direct message.

I have the same problem, I have been using Quick Books 2012 on my laptop, pc stopped working.  All of my data files are stored in Dropbox.  I've located a recent QB - QBW file and have loaded it into a folder on my new pc.  Signed up for QB On-line but can't migrate.  I downloaded the QB2015 file and tried to install but the license / product number on this thread for QB2015 does not work.  Douglas

Thanks for following the thread, mckannd. Let me step in and provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how we can upgrade your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) from 2015 to the recent version.

First, let's save the QBDT 2015 trial version in the local C drive. The C drive is the system's primary hard drive and is used to store the operating system, system files, and other applications and their associated files. To do that:

1. Locate the file you've downloaded.
2. Right-click on the file and select Copy.
3. Next, let's go to your My Computer to select the Local C Drive. 
4. Click Users, then Public.
5. Right-click on the screen and click Paste.

Once done, let's install the trial version of the QBDT 2023 and restore the file. Please refer to this article for the link to the trial version: Download a trial of QuickBooks Desktop.

Then, here's how to restore the company file:

1. Go to the File menu and click Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a backup copy, then click Next.
3. Click Local Backup, and click Next.
4. Browse your computer to locate the backup company file. It should have an extension of .qbb. 
5. Choose a folder to save your restored company file, then click Open.
6. When ready, please select Save. If you're prompted with any message about overwriting your data, choose the option which best fits your needs. 

Moreover, you mentioned being unable to migrate from QBDT to QuickBooks Online. Don't worry, I've got you an article with a list of common migration errors and suggested steps to fix them: Fix errors when you move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

To welcome you to QBO, I'll leave this reference as your guide in navigating the product: Learn about converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. It's a compilation of the most frequently asked questions about converting your account from QBDT to QBO. This way, it'll be easier for you to adjust when doing business tasks.

Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance if you have additional concerns about upgrading your QBDT. The Community is always ready to lend you a hand. Stay safe, and have a great day!

@mckannd 

You need the trial code for QBD 2015 to proceed.

Can I get trial link 2015.  I have 2018 and 2021.  I need to go from 2012 to 2021 or 2023 for client

@cth338mag 

Click on my profile name and you will find our website address to send an email. We can share the trial code later.