tried this   the migration tool is not working

says quickbookss Migration fail unexpectedly

@shannonMel98 

The migration tool is not reliable. Use the manual way instead.

Thanks for joining the thread, Shannon. Let me help you successfully migrating your files.

As using the migration tool isn't working for you, I recommend manually moving your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). 

Before beginning the installation process, please ensure to have your product key and license info ready, as this information is necessary for the installation. You can locate this info from the Product Information window.

Here's how:

1. Open the QBDT.
2. Press the F2 key on your keyboard.
3. Look for your product name, license, and product number in the Product Information window.

After that, you can proceed to the installation process. 

1. Install QuickBooks Desktop on the new computer. 
2. On your original computer, create a backup company file.
3. Restore the backup on your new computer.
4. Then download the latest tax table after moving your company file.

You can also refer to this article for more details and information: Move or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to another computer.

Just in case you need help with moving your files manually, check out this link as your guide: Move your company files to another computer.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have further questions about migrating your QBDT files. The Community is always available to help. Take care. 

Here is the major problem using the QB migration tool. I also got the failed message.

Went back to the original machine and could not open QB because of licensing problems.

Apparently as soon as you load the transfer tool onto the thumb drive the machine is no longer licensed to run QB. 

Total mess. No quickbooks on either machine.

Spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to fix this disaster.

Don't use the migration tool!

My password does not want to work and I have downloaded 4 times from one computer to another making different passwords each time. What can I do?

@aprilhbryant 

Why don't you take the "regular"way? Open your company file on the old machine and secure the backup file. Install QB on the new machine and restore the backup file.

Thanks for joining the Community and getting involved in this thread, aprilhbryant.

As mentioned by On Beta, you can move your company file to another computer without affecting the product license. With this process, a one-time password won't be required.

Here's how it works:
 

1. Before you begin, confirm QuickBooks is installed on your new computer.
2. Create a backup company file on your original computer.
3. When you save the backup file, give it a unique name so it's easy to identify. This also helps prevent accidental overwrites.
4. Save your file somewhere it can easily be located, like the Windows desktop folder.
5. Move your backup to the new computer. You can either put it on a flash drive or another external device. There's also an option to share it if your computer is on the same network.
6. Restore your backup on the new computer and be sure it has a unique file name.
7. If you use payroll services, be sure to download your latest tax table after moving the file.

You'll be able to learn more about moving company files to different computers in our Move your company files to another computer article.

I'll be here to help if there's any additional questions. Have a lovely Thursday!

I tried this and it gives error message “migration failed unexpectedly “ 

What do I do now? 

Encountering migration issues with QuickBooks Desktop can be time-consuming, 20309. Let me help you resolve the migration issue you're experiencing within QuickBooks Desktop.

If you are trying to use the QuickBooks Migrator Tool to move QuickBooks files from one computer to another, 64-bit QuickBooks files can only be migrated between 64-bit systems.

However, if you use a USB containing files from 64-bit QuickBooks Desktop 2022 or 2023 on a 32-bit Windows system, the migrator tool may stop unexpectedly. You need to organize a computer connected to the internet and a USB flash drive with enough free space to hold your QuickBooks files.

Furthermore, here are some things you can do to ensure a successful migration:

See to it the computer you are migrating to meets the minimum requirements for QuickBooks migration. Check the compatibility of the QuickBooks version with the operating system and verify that your computer has enough free disk space for the migration process. 

Next, ensure you are using the latest version of QuickBooks for a seamless migration. 

1. Open QuickBooks and go to the Help menu.
2. Select Update QuickBooks and then Update Now.
3. Click Get Updates to start the update process.

If the issue continues, use the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to help you resolve any data damage within your company file.

Here's how:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Download the most recent version (1.6.0.3) of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Once done, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

Next, you can initiate or use QuickBooks PDF & printer Repair Tool. Feel free to visit this page to see the instructions from step # 2: Fix PDF and Print problems with QuickBooks Desktop.

Through these steps, you can avoid unexpected migration failure and successfully move your QuickBooks files to a new computer.

I'm also adding this page for the step-by-step process of moving QuickBooks to another computer: Move or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to another. 

Additionally, it would be best to create a backup copy of your company file before the migration process. If changes occur, having a backup copy lets you restore it.

If you need further assistance with your data migration in QuickBooks Desktop, we are still here to help. Please let me know in the comment section. Have a great day.

2025. Nope didn't work.

1. I backed up QB on old computer, put the qbw file onto a portable drive

2. Using license and product key, downloaded QB DesktopPro 2018 to new computer. (I hvae the software in CD form but no CD drive on new computer.)

3. Tried to restore from backup file and QB pops up that I must update the software. I do NOT want to update the software. I want to use the 2018 version I have.

FYI, I tried migration instructions but ran into a wall as I followed all directions which led me to the step of double clicking on the .bat file wherein nothing happened other than that my windows command window opened with an error requesting cannot find Move_quickbooks.exe. Which, of course, doesn't exist.

Helpp

@Beryl 

QB pops up that I must update the software.

Can you share the screenshot? Click the camera icon on the menu to insert the image here.

I appreciate your efforts in working to resolve the issue you encountered with the .bat file, @Beryl.
 
I see that you've posted the same concern here in the Community, and one of my colleagues already replied to your query about it. You can reply to her through this link and follow the recommended process: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/install/re-migration-tool-to-transfer-quickbooks-t...
 
Our top priority is to assist you with any QuickBooks-related concerns. Just let us know by posting a new question or replying to a thread if you need further help.

The other response was not helpful.

No matter how I approach this, including restoring from a backup, I am asked to update the software and I do not in any way want to do that.

How do I get a working migration tool?

I appreciate all the things you've done so far, Beryl. You have already invested significant time migrating your file to the new computer. Let's ensure you can install your QuickBooks on the latest one.

If you're using Windows 11, the best way to transfer your QuickBooks data or files is to install them manually on the other computer.

It's a good start that you have your license and product key. Now, we can proceed with downloading the installer by following these steps:

1. From the Downloads & Updates page, select your country, product, and version.
2. Click Search, then hit Download.
    

Please know that to install your product on a different computer, you will need to register it first. Here's how you can do that:

1. Head to the Help and select Register QuickBooks to start the process.
2. Once you input your information, Intuit will check the registration status of your QuickBooks copy and record the details for the other computer.

If you're using Windows 10, please check pending system updates before using the migration tool. This process helps prevent compatibility issues. 

Moreover, check out this reference for the limitations and reminders regarding transferring data between different locations, systems, or computers: Company file compatibility with QuickBooks Desktop.

For future reference, I'm adding these helpful resources for managing your QuickBooks Desktop and company files:

• Fix issues when QuickBooks has stopped working
• Host your company data in multi-user mode

Following the steps above, you can set up QuickBooks on your new computer. We're still here to assist if you encounter any challenges with the process.

I have done this and the new computer keeps telling me that "QB migration failed unexpectedly" Any ideas on this?

I can provide an alternative way to transfer your QuickBooks to another computer, Andrew.

When moving QuickBooks to another computer, please note that if your USB contains files from the 64-bit versions of QuickBooks Desktop 2022 or 2023, the migration tool may not work properly on a 32-bit Windows system. You can only transfer these 64-bit files between 64-bit systems.

If the tool doesn't open after you try to run it, please check for updates to your Windows 10, as this may resolve the issue.

On the other hand, if you have already used the QuickBooks Migrator Tool, updated your QuickBooks to the latest version, and followed all the provided steps, but are still encountering the same error message, I recommend manually moving or reinstalling QuickBooks without using the Migrator Tool.

To proceed with the manual move or reinstall, please follow these steps:

1. Have your product and license information available.
2. Uninstall the existing QuickBooks application before attempting a reinstall.
3. On the computer where you want QuickBooks Desktop installed, download the installation files or insert the CD.
4. Install QuickBooks Desktop as you normally would.

After installation, you will need to register QuickBooks. Here's how:

1. Go to Help and select Register QuickBooks.
2. After you enter your information, Intuit will detect the registration status of your copy of QuickBooks and record the information for the new computer.

For detailed information about manually moving or reinstalling QuickBooks, please refer to the How to Manually Move or Reinstall QuickBooks section of this article: Move or Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to Another Computer.

Additionally, the QuickBooks installation does not move your company files, which must be copied to the new location separately. For more information about moving your company file, please read this: Move Your Company File from Your Old Computer to Your New Computer.

Don't hesitate to return to this thread if you have any further questions about migrating or moving QuickBooks to another computer. We're here to help, just a tap away!

@Andrew 5 

The migration tool is not reliable. You have to install QB on the new machine with the standard procedure and restore the backup file manually.