QuickBooks File Manager

Hello there, @JeffChr.

You can control your Password Settings by going to the Password Vault in your QuickBooks File Manager. This is where your username and password are saved for any Company File that you have. All you have to do is go to Password Vault  > Change Password Vault. After adjusting the login information, sign out and log back in. Your Settings will adjust and remove the notification. I recommend changing your password regularly to prevent any breaching.

If the issue persists, please don't hesitate and reach back out to me. Have a beautiful day!

Thank you for the reply. I should have mentioned that I did that already, several times. Nevertheless, every time I open FM, it asks me to change again because my password has expired. I am thinking of investigating an uninstall, re-install fix.

Greeting, @JeffChr.

Let's repair your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) to get this fixed right away. Let me guide you how.

Before we start, I recommend to back up your company file first to ensure the safety of your data in case you run into problems.

Once done:

1. Restart your computer. 
2. Open the Windows Start menu and select Control Panel.
3. Click Programs and Features then select Uninstall a Program.
4. Select QuickBooks from the list of Programs, then Uninstall/Change.
5. Click Continue, or Next.
6. Select Repair, then Next.
7. Once done, click Finish.

Here's an article you can read for more details: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

Also, I encourage you to check our Account management page in case you want to learn some tips and best practices in managing your QBDT.

If ever you need anything else, you can always get back to us anytime. Keeping you in working order is our top priority. Have a great day and stay healthy.

Did uninstalling reinstalling QBD 2020 fix your problem?  I am having the same issue.

I have followed the instructions for a repair of QuickBooks desktop, but the File Manager problem of repeatedly asking for establishing a new password upon every start up still persists. Please provide additional support or acknowledgement that this issue is being looked into. Thank you.

Hi there, Rediesel,

I'm here to help you today. The issue ma be due to an incorrect password or damaged Windows user permission.

To fix this, you can perform these recommended solutions shown below:

Step 1: Create Windows users and give them administrator rights.

Step 2: Enable Hidden Admin in Windows

1. Open the command prompt in Administrator mode.
       * Right-click the Windows Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
       * If you get a User Account Control window that asks for permission, select Yes.
2. On the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes.
3. Wait for the confirmation that the command was successful then log out.
4. The login screen will now show the Administrator account.

Step 3: Try a different computer.

If the same issue persist, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support Team. They can remove the password so you can continue working on your file. Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), support  is currently limited to chat only. 

Here's how to contact our support team:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Enter your concern, then select Continue.
5. Choose Start messaging to connect with a support expert.

Keep me posted if there's anything else you need. I'm always around here in the Community to help.

This frequent password reset on File Manager has been an issue for several years.  I stopped using File Manager because of it.  I had hopped that it was fixed by version 2020... but no.  Why not?  How can Intuit know about a flaw in their program, and do nothing to fix it?  Or at lease have support that knows about several year long issue and how to fix it????? Frustrating.  It is like they do not value our time.

we are having issues when the file manager is signed on the the accounts are added and all set up. when we click to sign on it requires to enter user name and password all the time. how can we fix that? 

Thanks for joining in on the thread, LindaKP1023.

With QuickBooks File Manager, you can mange your passwords through the Password Vault. This is also the possible reason why it requires you to enter the username and password. It is aligned with what Ashley H said in her response: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/install/re-quickbooks-file-manager/01/516145/highl....

You can use this link on how you can manage your Password Vault: Learn the basics about QuickBooks File Manager.

I'd also recommend keeping your QuickBooks release version up to date to get rid of any minor issues.

If the same thing happens, you can contact our Technical Support Team by following the steps provided MaryLandT. Or you can follow this link.

Let us know how this goes so we can also review it on our end. Have a great day!

This application does not work.  It requires a password change every time  I sign on.  I call tech support and got nowhere.  Tech support was useless.

Has there been any progress on this issue? I have uninstalled and reinstalled QuickBooks. I've deleted the local app data. Nothing seems to shake off the Change Password Vault Password popup.

Hi @CurtisP,

I'll take care of your query about QuickBooks File Manager. 

The workaround we can provide for this specific issue in question was provided by my colleague @MaryLandT above. It consists of creating a new Windows user, enabling the hidden Admin account, and using a different computer altogether. 

If the issue persists, I suggest contacting our Technical Support team for assistance. They can investigate as to why you keep getting this error message from the QuickBooks File Manager. 

Here's how:

1. On your QuickBooks homepage, go to the Help menu.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Tap the Contact us button.

I also suggest viewing this article: Learn the basics about QuickBooks File Manager. It lists the different ways on how you can open the app, as well as list the features available for it. 

I'll be around in case you need further help. Drop a comment below, and I'll get back to you. 

The fix is to get a new computer or start over with an entirely new user? That is the most ridiculous response I have ever heard. It sounds like it is time to start looking into alternatives that actually maintain their products.

I upgraded mine to 2021 and it still does it.  I had to get a new computer when QuickBooks wouldn't open anymore on it.  This is ridiculous not to have a program work in it's latest version.

following on support over 2 hours, they don't even have a clue what password vault is

You are correct that the new 2021 version is just as bad as the prior versions.  A complete password reset is required every time the program is entered.

I am also having this issue! I was on support for hours with no end in sight! I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling, I tried that BS QuickBooks file doctor software that didn't work either. Someone at QuickBooks needs to address this problem!

Hi there, 

I'd like to verify if you got a specific error or issue you got when accessing your QuickBooks File Manager so I can walk you through from there. Before we perform other troubleshooting steps, let's ensure to update your QuickBooks to the latest release. This makes sure you have the most recent fixes and security updates.

Then, you can access your File Manager in either of these ways: 

• In your company file, click the Accountant menu, select QuickBooks File Manager.
• From the Windows Start menu, go to Programs > QuickBooks > File Manager. Ensure that you access the latest QuickBooks File Manager installed.

You can use this article for more details: Learn the basics about QuickBooks File Manager.

Let me know if you have other questions. Take care!

It's possible that Intuit finally addressed this issue in a recent update to quickbooks.  This problem has persisted for me across more than one version of QB/file manager, and across more than one computer with completely new Windows installs.   My workaround has been to keep the vault open just about all the time, and leave the computer password locked when I am not at the desk.

This week after updated quickbooks, it started working!  Unfortunately it lost all the client passwords that were stored in the vault.  Small price to pay.

Are you using 2020 or 2021?

I'm using 2020, and just about to dive in to trying to resolve this after avoiding it for several months.

Thanks!

I have tried all of the different fixes and nothing works.  I was hoping that File Manager would make it easier for logging into the many clients I have but that is definitely not the case.  I will continue to use my password software that is not a part of QuickBooks.  It is much more reliable and so much easier and less frustrating.  Great idea but very bad execution by QuickBooks on this one.  

I am having this problem too and have had this problem for several years.  Can you please escalate this issue and get a patch issued?

Logging into your QuickBooks File Manager is our top priority, Chris1980.

Generally, ensure that you're using the updated version of QuickBooks every time you log into the File Manager so you'll not encounter issues. You'll want to make sure to update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. To set up automatic updates, go through the steps provided below: 

1. Go to the Help menu and select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to the Update Now tab. You can select the Reset Update checkbox to clear all previous update downloads.
3. Select Get Updates to start the download.
4. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.
5. When prompted, accept the option to install the new release.

However, if you're still experiencing issues, it's best to reach out to our support team so they can take a look at this. They have also the tools to pull up your account in a secure environment. 

In most cases, I've added this article where you can get tools if you'll want to fix any errors that you may encounter: Fix Common Problems And Errors With QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

Please get back to us if you need anything else with File Manager. The Community is always here to help. 

We have been given the same advice about the password problem with File Manager for years:  make sure you have the latest release, make sure it is updated, etc., etc.  None of this has ever worked.  File Manager still asks to change the password every time it is opened.  I just upgraded to File Manager 2022 and it still doesn't work.