It's nice to see you here in the Community, @JL52.

Yes, you're right. You cannot restore unless the program is not installed on the computer. That said, you'll have to install QuickBooks first.             

To install and use QBDT on your second computer. Here's how:

1. Go to your new PC and install QuickBooks.
2. Complete the download information and click Search.
3. Click the Download button.
4. Once the download is complete, the installation will automatically start. If it doesn't, double-click the installer file to proceed.
5. Select Yes to All then hit Next.
6. Mark the Software License Agreement then click Next.
7. Enter the License and Product numbers, then hit Next.
8. Pick the type of installation you want.
9. Choose where you want to save QuickBooks.
10. Pick a new install location or select Next to install to the default directory.
11. Click Install.

I'm including some resource that walks a user through the install process:

• Download QuickBooks Desktop
• Install QuickBooks Desktop

Once done, go back to the old one and create a backup copy of your company file. Then, copy the backup file to your new one using a flash drive or other external device or through a network, if they're connected, and restore the backup on the new PC. For your reference, you can also check out this article for more information: Move your company files to another computer.

In the meantime, you can re-run the .bat file and see if the same thing happens. Please note that the duration of the migration will depend on the speed of your computer and internet, and the size of your company file. You can get the steps here: Move to or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop on another computer.

In case you'd like to run the program in a multi-user system, you'll need to make sure you have multiple licenses for each workstation. To learn more about this feature, please check out this article: Set up multi-user network.

Let me know if you have follow-up questions about the process. I'm right here to assist you further. Keep safe, @JL52.               

Ditto

NO that did not work.

I can click all I want on Move_quickbooks.bat in every conceivable way and the Windows Command window continues to ask for a move_quickbooks.exe. It wants an executable, understandably, and a .bat file is more or less a dumb object than a process.

So no, this did not work (cutting and pasting:

On the new computer:

1. Insert the USB flash drive.
2. Wait for the Move QuickBooks tool, or run Move_QuickBooks.bat file from your flash drive.
3. Enter the password you created, then select Let's go.
4. Wait for the process to complete.

You can get the steps here: Move to or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop in another computer

@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 you for following those steps, Beryl.

I'd love to assist you here promptly; however, I've seen that you've posted the same concern twice.

Please know that my colleague has already responded to your initial post. If you haven't already, you can check out this link: Migration tool to transfer quickbooks to new computer - move.quickbooks.bat file not working

See you in that thread. Have a great day. 

Here is the screenshot you requested. That is a pop up after I attempt to update the backed up file. I select the file (can send screenshots of that) and then "next" and then this pop up appears.

I do not want to update the software. I want to use only the software I have.

I downloaded it from Intuit as I don't have a CD player on the new computer.
Is that the issue?

Or can I do a migration anyway?

There is no screenshot

Sorry. Here it is. I also put the wrong screenshot in other responses.

I posted often seeking a forum question with someone with an answer. Sorry to be a pest

You can update your company file to the last Release version for QB Desktop 2018 (not upgrade). Why did you refuse?