Can QB remember the way I left a workspace window the last time I used it? Huge workflow efficiency problem for me; occurs in Pro 2012, Pro 2013, & Pro 2016.

"Maybe it is occurring when my computer has to restart at night for updates, "

You would not leave QB running all the time, though. When you change a Preference, that is saved in a .ini file (initialization).

"or when we connect to it remotely??"

Remotely doesn't mean you control everything about the Local computer. It depends on your connectivity tools, but the Preference setting and that .ini file is saved to the Local computer and for the Signed in User. So, sometimes, you are working in a connectivity that does not result in either a Saved .ini or an applied .ini.

Example:

Your local computer has the program and file, and you log in as Admin. I remote in and log in as User1. I do not get your screen settings. And I cannot Save them or change them or set mine, if the system cannot write a .ini file for me to that local computer. Remember that my computer doesn't even have to have QB installed, so there is no local .ini file for me.

"If I knew which preference file or registry key these settings were saved in"

Open that program. Use F2, then F3. Use the Open File tab. Here they all are.

"I could copy it out to my desktop and overwrite them when it gets screwed up..."

Be Careful. There is a lot more in .ini files than "I want this window on the left."

I have the same issue - none of the traditional ways to save a desktop work. If you close the file it reopens as the default.

There must be a fix, it seems to be a common problem.

Thanks for joining the thread, K9CrossTrain.

Let’s sort out why the changes made to your desktop don’t work.

To identify if this is a program-related issue, repairing an existing QuickBooks installation helps resolve errors you run into while using it. Make sure your QuickBooks is not running in the background.

Before doing so, make sure to create a backup copy of your company file to avoid accidental loss. Once done, you can start with the repair process.

Here’s how:  

1. Press the Start button on your keyboard, then select Control Panel.
2. Choose Programs and Features.
3. Select QuickBooks in the list of programs and click on Uninstall a program.
4. In the QuickBooks installation window, click Next and select the Repair radio button.
5. Click on Finish and restart your computer.
6. Then, open QuickBooks and download the latest release updates.

Here's a link with detailed information on how to fix QuickBooks Desktop.

Let me know if you get the chance to try all these suggestions and what the results are. I'll be right here with you.

I  have done everything you said to do many times before, but decided to go ahead and play the game.  I don't understand why Keep Previously Saved Desktop doesn't work and it always defaults to Don't Save Desktop.  It has done this on every version of QB I have owned.  I had hoped buying the newest version would fix this but no.  I have to go in, click on View and ask for Open Window list every time I open QB.  Then, I have to go into the Chart of Accounts and open the windows I need for the day.  This is very frustrating.  Can't someone fix this???  

I followed all of the directions and it still doesn't work.  My files still close and I have to go in and manually open them every time I start QB.  I know it works on other computers because I don't have this problem with my clients, just my own personal version.   I just bought the new 2020 desktop version and hoped for the best and got the worst.  When I shut down QB reverts back to not saving the desktop.  This should be a simple fix.  

Hi RaeJaegirl,

Thank you for following the steps mentioned by my colleagues in the previous replies. At this point, it would be best if you can reach out to our Support to see your setup. They can use a screen-sharing tool to check this further.

Here's their schedule:

• 6:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Friday
• 6:00 AM-3:00 PM Saturday

Here's how to reach them:

1. Click on Help and choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Click Contact Us at the bottom.
3. Enter a summary of the scenario and click Let's talk.
4. Choose Chat or Talk to a specialist.

Please let me know if you need more help with your display preference.

I've read your solution to saving the desktop. I migrated over to a new MAC and I've always been able to save the current desktop. I'm using the same software as my old computer and could save the desktop but the desktop isn't saving now. I don't see any preferences option under edit in the MAC version. Can you help me?

Hello there, @Fern2.

I understand that there isn't a Preferences option for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, what we can do is to verify and rebuild your company data.

Here's how:

1. From the File menu, highlight Utilities.
2. Select Verify data.

Once done, rebuild your company data. I'll guide you how:

1. From the File menu, highlight Utilities.
2. Select Rebuild data.

You can also contact our Technical Support team if you've already tried the steps I provided above and you still have the same issue.

To connect with a representative:

1. Go to this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. Select QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
3. Click Company File.
4. Scroll down a little bit and click Get Phone Number.

Additional details on what you can expect when you try to verify and rebuild data are in this article: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop. It has the common reasons why you'd want to do a verify and rebuild data along with what to expect during the verification process.

Let me know how it goes by dropping a comment below. I'm more than happy to help. Take care!

The rebuild did it. Thanks!

Hi this is LRW, I followed the procedure above and check "Save Current Desktop" then OK but when I clase and reopen Preferences "Keep previously saved desktop" is checked. 

Thanks for posting the Community space, @LRW41.

Once you click the Save Current Desktop button the setup should remain as is. Since you experience this kind of behavior, you can follow the steps shared by my Maybelle_S on how to perform the verify rebuild tool. 

This will help us identify the common data issues within your company file. Once finished, you'd want to restart your device to ensure that all components are updated.

However, if you tried the verify rebuild and the issue persists, I recommend contacting our Customer Care Team. They can further investigate this and help you resolved this.

Let me guide you on how. 

1. Go to Help from the top menu. 
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help. 
3. Choose Contact Us in the Have a Question? window. 
4. Give a brief description of your concern.
5. Click Continue.
6. Choose Start a message to connect with a live agent. 

Just a heads up, we have limited staffing, and we have reduced our support hours to 6 AM-6 PM PT Monday-Friday. We will resume normal hours as soon as possible.  

Also, in case you need tips and related articles in the future, visit our QuickBooks Community help website for reference: QBDT Self-help.

 Keep in touch with me on what the results are. I'll be around whenever you need further assistance. Take care.

Thanks for trying to help but the rebuild did not resolve the issue. I will just live with it.

They way I got it to stick was...

Put in Hierarchial mode...Customize Columns... Add a variable to the columns....Save..

The mode stuck for me after this... Maybe someone else can verify?