Migration to New Computer and QuickBook Pro 2013 Upgrade to 2021

Hey there, Dave Y. 

Thanks for reaching out to the Community for support. I can share some information about the QuickBooks migration and walk you through the steps on how to upgrade your QuickBooks to 2021.

QuickBooks Desktop has a 3-year lifecycle, and upgrading it from 2013 to 2021 is a big jump. To avoid data issues due to some feature or version differences, you can create a backup copy of your file. Then, then restore it to QBDT 2015/2016 to 2018/2019, then last QuickBooks 2021.

To create a backup of your file, I recommend checking out this article: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file. 

And, here's how to restore it:

1. In QuickBooks, go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a backup copy and then Next.
3. Select Local Backup and then Next.
4. Browse your computer for your backup company file. It should look like this: [Your company name].qbb.
5. Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file. Then select Open.

For more tips about upgrading QuickBooks Desktop to a newer version, you can open these links:

• Upgrade to newer versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, or Enterprise
• Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop

Moreover, you can review this link to see the current pricing of our QuickBooks Desktop products. 

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns. I'll be happy to help you out. You can count on us here in the Community to guide you every step of the way. Take care and have a good one!

@Dave Y 

You may need to upgrade your file on QBD 2015 and 2019 respectively prior to opening it on QBD 2021. Contact us in private and we may share the trial codes. Then you may purchase QBD 2021 Pro with a one time license to run on your new machine.

I have the same situation.  Do I need registration numbers because I do not have it, the old computer crashed and I only have a backup file

Glad to see you here in the QuickBooks Support forum, @enetgap.

When you reinstall QuickBooks, you will need the license and product numbers. You can get this if you press F2 if the old QuickBooks is still accessible in the old location. Also, don't worry, there are other ways you can find your installation numbers.

For purchases made from authorized retail stores, you can see your license and product numbers in the original product packaging. Take a look at the scratch-off sticker located next to the UPC code. Here's how it looks like:

You can also look it up online if the your product was registered before. Visit your account management portal (CAMPS) to get your product and license number. For other options, see this article: Find QuickBooks Desktop and Point of Sale product and license info.

However, if you're unable to find it using the options given above, you can contact our Support Team for it. Account specific concerns is best handled by our Live Help representatives to secure any confidential information that we can't display in this public forum. 

To contact us: 

1. Open QuickBooks and click the Help menu.
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. On the pop-up screen select Contact us.
   
4. Click the Search for Something else button then type your concern in the Ask us anything box.
5. Hit Search then scroll down to get your contact options.

Refer to this article to learn more about our contact options and support availability: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support

Thanks for reaching out to us today. This forum is always open for your QuickBooks concerns and I am also here to help. Have a nice week ahead!

@enetgap 

Utilize the trial license as I mentioned earlier to upgrade your file and migrate to QB Online.

Yeah, same deal here....running 2013 version now and want to upgrade to the 2021 desktop version.  I don't see the "free trial" of 2015 or 2018 that I can use to upgrade my way into the 2021 version.

Thank you for joining the conversation, ROGO58.

The trial license is only available for QB Desktop Enterprise 2022 and QB for Mac 2022. Trials for older versions are removed from the Download page. However, you can find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor near your and inquire if they still have the older versions. Or, you can contact our Support team so they can assist help you convert.

Let me know if you have any other concerns about migration. Take care and have a good one.

@ROGO58 

Contact me in private and we can share the trial codes.