Migrator Quit but QB Thinks it is Still Running

graham_s · ‎March 03, 2022

I am trying to use the Migrator to transfer QB 2018 to a new computer via a portable hard drive. I went to Utilities / Move QB to New Computer , created a one-time password, plugged in the portable drive and QB closed itself. Now when I try again it gives a System Error: Migrator Is Already Running.

I'm completely stuck and quite urgently need to move QB to the new computer. Has anyone else seen this?

MJoy_D · ‎March 03, 2022

It's our pleasure to help! Thank you for getting back to us and providing us with more details about the concern you're having, @graham_s.

I'm here to share additional information that can help you move QuickBooks Desktop to another computer.

Let's start by updating your Windows 10 version to the latest release to isolate this. Just make sure that your computer's operating system, hardware, software, and other requirements are compatible to run QuickBooks Desktop 2018.

Try to process the migration again. If you encounter the same error, you can manually move your QBDT 2018 to this new computer.

You can get the installer by going to this Downloads & Updates page. Once done, you can now install this to your new PC:

Locate the downloaded setup file on your computer.
Click to launch the setup.
Follow the prompts to finish installing your QBDT.

After that, activate your QBDT:

Go to the Help menu and select Activate QuickBooks.
Follow the prompts to finish installing your QBDT.

Check these articles for more information about installing your QuickBooks to this new PC and activating it:

To help you with moving this company file from your old PC to the new one, check out this article: Move your company files to another computer.

In case you'll encounter errors when installing your QuickBooks, refer to the following article on how to fix it: Fix QuickBooks Desktop install errors.

Let me know if you need further help in moving your QuickBooks Desktop to your new computer or anything by leaving a comment below. I'm always here ready to assist. Have a wonderful day!

View solution in original post

MarsStephanieL · ‎March 03, 2022

Hi there, @graham_s.

Thanks for taking the time to post here in the Community. I'd be happy to share some information and provide the steps in transferring your data from the old computer to the new one.

Transferring file to another computer should be done with caution by creating a backup file first in your local drive. Since you've already migrated it and had an error, any additional information about the error code will help me identify the exact workaround for you.

I'd also recommend speaking with an IT guy in your area to check further if this has been caused by the migrator you're using. They can also help you with the process of transferring the data to the new computer.

To guide you with the installation process, please check out these articles below:

These resources should help you move your QuickBooks to your new computer.

Keep me posted if there's anything else you need this upgrade concern by leaving a comment below. I'll be around to help you out. Take care!

graham_s · ‎March 03, 2022

Thank you for the very quick response. I was following the instructions on the third of your links which I'd already found. Here is what I did on my single-user copy of Quickbooks Desktop 2018:

1. Took a backup of QB company files

2. Went to Utilities / Move Quickbooks to a New Computer

3. Created a one-time password

4. Connected the portable hard drive when prompted for a USB drive

Then Quickbooks just closed itself.

I signed on to Quickbooks again, and tried to start the Migrator again. I got a System Error (no code I don't think) that said Migrator is Already Running.

So I'm stuck - the rest of QB seems OK but I have no idea now how to do the transfer.

MJoy_D · ‎March 03, 2022

It's our pleasure to help! Thank you for getting back to us and providing us with more details about the concern you're having, @graham_s.

I'm here to share additional information that can help you move QuickBooks Desktop to another computer.

Let's start by updating your Windows 10 version to the latest release to isolate this. Just make sure that your computer's operating system, hardware, software, and other requirements are compatible to run QuickBooks Desktop 2018.

Try to process the migration again. If you encounter the same error, you can manually move your QBDT 2018 to this new computer.

You can get the installer by going to this Downloads & Updates page. Once done, you can now install this to your new PC:

Locate the downloaded setup file on your computer.
Click to launch the setup.
Follow the prompts to finish installing your QBDT.

After that, activate your QBDT:

Go to the Help menu and select Activate QuickBooks.
Follow the prompts to finish installing your QBDT.

Check these articles for more information about installing your QuickBooks to this new PC and activating it:

To help you with moving this company file from your old PC to the new one, check out this article: Move your company files to another computer.

In case you'll encounter errors when installing your QuickBooks, refer to the following article on how to fix it: Fix QuickBooks Desktop install errors.

Let me know if you need further help in moving your QuickBooks Desktop to your new computer or anything by leaving a comment below. I'm always here ready to assist. Have a wonderful day!

graham_s · ‎March 04, 2022

Thank you very much. I'll try this out later today.

graham_s · ‎March 05, 2022

Thanks for the rapid and completely helpful response. We're up and running on the new computer.

xraynano · ‎April 04, 2022

You do realize there are many people having the same problem: they run QB Migrator, and it just dies (with the process still running but no activity) after the USB drive is inserted. THIS IS A BUG. But there does not seem to be any attempt to fix it. Rather, the immediate solution provided is to tell you to do a fresh install (which requires licensing information), and then using the last back up to reload your company information. Sure that will work. But then why bother having QB Migrator at all? Or at least, be up front on your QB Migrator page, indicate that it may fail, and in that case, proceed with the alternate instructions.

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Migrator Quit but QB Thinks it is Still Running