Can Quickbooks desktops pro for 2019 and 2020 be open at the same time?

Yes, @Annoyed10.

You can run two different versions of QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) on the same computer. Make sure you installed the QBDT 2019 version first before the 2020.

Otherwise, only the 2020 QBDT version will run on your computer. The key for this to work is to install the previous version first before the recent one.

Here's an article you can check for reference in installing multiple QBDT version on one computer: Install multiple QuickBooks Desktop versions on one computer.

 
You can also check this great resource that can help you learn more about the new features in QBDT 2020.

Don't hesitate to contact us anytime you have other concerns or questions, you can always count on us. We're always here ready to help. Have a great day!

Piggyback question...

We are currently using QBDT 16 and want to upgrade to 20. However, we do not want to transfer data from 16 to 20. We want to re-enter only the active data we use and re-enter it differently.  What we would like to do is purchase 20 (3 users) and re-enter certain data as we see fit. But still be able to to do day to day business in 16 until we have completed the process. After, we then want to update all users to use the 20 version. Is this possible?

@nutriwestmidatl 

You may utilize one of these 3rd party migration tools to create a new company file on QBD 2020.

https:// transactionpro.grsm.io/qbd

https:// partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

You can purchase the one time license of QBD 2020 thru a partner/reseller within this month to get a lower price. Make sure you secure a free upgrade option to QBD 2021.

For the time being, you may run QBD 2016 and 2020 at the same time on the same machine. But we would recommend to disable the automatic update feature on QBD 2020. We found some updates are not compatible to other QBD year version(s) and we had to reinstall it. 

The link does not seem to work. It's taking me to upload date in csv file?

We are just going to manually enter it ourselves?

We were going to purchase QBDT Pro 20 with a 3 user license through Intuit. 

Can't we just purchase the download/cd and switch off the automatic update on 20 and switch back and forth between versions?

Thank you for getting back to us, @nutriwestmidatl.

You'll have the option to run two different versions of QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) on the same computer at the same time. However, let's ensure that the company file you're using is separate.

To open your companies easier, click File from the top menu and select Open Previous Company. Navigate to the company file that you want and click Open.

Take a look at this article for more information: Create QuickBooks Desktop Company file: Overview.

Also, our Community site has additional guides that can come in handy, so be sure to check them out in your spare time: Get Started in QuickBooks Desktop.

Reach back out to me by commenting below if you have any questions concerning QuickBooks. I'm always here to help. 

Thank you for the reply! It's going to be the same company but different versions.  I have not purchased/downloaded 2020 yet because I wanted to make sure we could do what we wanted. We just want to basically start from scratch in the 20 version inputting only active items and accounts. But still be able to conduct day to day business in the interim. Then, when completed update all our PC's to only the 2020 version. 

Allow me to share additional information about this topic, @nutriwestmidatl.

Yes, you're able to install multiple QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) versions on one computer. However, you have some important details to know before installing multiple versions of QuickBooks. Here are the following:

• You can work in multiple versions of QuickBooks Desktop at the same time. If you're working in Premier 2019, you can also open Premier 2018. However, you can only open the same version (year) of Premier and Enterprise if you use the Accountant edition.
• QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier use the same install files. You can't install the same version (year) of Pro and Premier on the same computer. But you can install different versions. (i.e. Pro 2018 and Premier 2019).
• You can install the same version of QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier and Enterprise.
• You can only install one industry-specific edition of QuickBooks Desktop for each version. That means you can have either QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2018 Retail or Premier 2018 Contractor, but not both.

As mentioned above, you need to use a separate file when opening two or more versions of QuickBooks. Once you open a company file in a newer version or higher edition, it automatically upgrades to the most recent version or highest edition. After that, you'll no longer be able to open your company file in the original version. 

For more information about upgrading company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop, check out this  article.

Also, this link shares the details about installing multiple QBDT versions on one computer, you can read the topics from here as additional guides.

As you continue working with QuickBooks, you can also skim through the topics from our help articles in case you need references in the future.

Leave a comment below if you have any other questions. I'm always here to help. Keep safe!

Thank you, that does clarify things for me a bit. To confirm please...

We can work in multiple versions (years) of QB Pro Desktop BUT - they have to "live" on two separate files. Otherwise, if the two versions are not on different files, once the company file is opened in the higher edition it will automatically upgrade and we will no longer be able to open the company file in the original version. Yes?

So in summary, we may use both QB Pro 2016 and 20 as long as each version has it's own file. Then, once we complete our update in the 2020 version we can then get rid of 2016?

Thanks!!

You're welcome! It's our pleasure to help, .

You’re right. You can work on multiple versions of QuickBooks Desktop, but you have to use different company files. When you use the same company file it automatically upgrades to the most recent version or highest edition, and you won't be able to open the company file in the original version.

Yes, you can get rid of QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2016 after installing the most recent QuickBooks Desktop version. 

Here's a reference on how to install and reactivate your QuickBooks Desktop 2020: Install QuickBooks Desktop.

Also, here's a guide on how to upgrade your company file to keep using them: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

To know more on what's new in QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2020, see this link: QuickBooks Desktop Pro.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance with your company file. I'm always here to help. Keep safe!

Thank you very much for the clarification!

I have a separate question now, can we purge/ delete old and inactive info from the our database? Instead of inputting all of the  info  we want to into the newer version, can we just delete all the old info?

Thank you for all your help. 

May I assume under the Admin account we are able to purge all old data and inactive items no longer wanted? Would this be easier than reentering data into the new QB version?

Thanks!!! Just trying to make the most informed decision for us.  

Yes, you can definitely remove them, nutriwestmidatl6166.

With Condense Data utility, you'll be able to remove inactive transactions and improve QuickBooks performance. As part of the condense process, the program gives you the opportunity to get rid of old, closed transactions from the current, working version of the QuickBooks company file.

Here's how to do it:
 

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Select File from the top menu bar.
3. Go to Utilities, then select Condense Data.
4. Choose the Remove the transactions you select from your company file option. Then, select the appropriate transactions.
5. Click Next, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

To learn more about condensing, you can visit this article: Use the Condense Data utility.

With regard to your second question, yes, it would be more efficient than manually reentering the information. However, there are certain data that we're unable to remove or purge. Please refer to the article above to know more about the limitations of Condense Data utility.

Additionally, I encourage checking out our getting started guides to be guided in setting up your company in QuickBooks Desktop 2020.

If I can be of any additional assistance, please don't hesitate to insert a comment below. Have a pleasant day ahead.

First - I want to purchase and download QB Desktop Pro 2020. I am going to purchase it for 3 users, where can I do this? Online, I keep getting routed to QB Pro 2021 for a monthly rate. I want to purchase the  2020 software for the one time cost. Also, are there any current specials?

The second part of my question - We host QB on our server and then have a network to share it with our workstations. I would like to know, can I purchase QB Desktop Pro 20 and download it onto only my PC (for now), save it as a separate file and be able to switch back and forth between our 16 version and then the 20? And then, when I am ready share the 20 file with the server and then subsequently, the other workstations?

Also, we have one workstation that is still operating on Windows 7. I understand it's advised to be using version 8 or higher, but will it still work if we do not update it?

Allow me to step in and answer your follow-up questions, nutriwestmidatl6166.

For the first question, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support Team. They can provide you a one-time cost for the 2020 version since it's no longer available online.

Yes to your second question. You can download Pro 2020 on your PC and save it as a separate file. Just make sure to back up your 2016 company file since you won't be able to open it once upgraded to 2020.

To answer your last question, Microsoft no longer provides security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. For your data’s security, you need to upgrade your operating system to a supported version before installing QuickBooks Pro 2020.

Check out the System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and Enterprise Solutions 20.0 to know what your computer needs to run the software.

Stay in touch if you need anything else by clicking the Reply button below. I'm always around to help. Just tag my name, and I'll get back to you.

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@nutriwestmidatl6166 wrote:

First - I want to purchase and download QB Desktop Pro 2020. I am going to purchase it for 3 users, where can I do this? Online, I keep getting routed to QB Pro 2021 for a monthly rate. I want to purchase the  2020 software for the one time cost. Also, are there any current specials?

 

There is a new marketing policy for QBD 2020 version. Some partners/resellers are only allowed to offer it until next month. Send your private message to us if you don't find it locally. 

 

The second part of my question - We host QB on our server and then have a network to share it with our workstations. I would like to know, can I purchase QB Desktop Pro 20 and download it onto only my PC (for now), save it as a separate file and be able to switch back and forth between our 16 version and then the 20? And then, when I am ready share the 20 file with the server and then subsequently, the other workstations?

 

Once your company file is converted to QBD 2020, you are  unable to open it on QBD 2016. You have to purchase a 3rd party service to recover it.

 

Also, we have one workstation that is still operating on Windows 7. I understand it's advised to be using version 8 or higher, but will it still work if we do not update it?

 

QBD 2020 doesn't support Win 7. Consider installing the trial license of QBD 2020 to make sure.

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Thank you very much! I am going to contact QB Desktop Support to purchase Pro 2020. 

To confirm,

So I, can download the 20 version to my desktop in a separate file and be able to use it as I see fit, and then share with the other PC's when I am ready? I just need to backup my 16 version b/c once I open 20, I can longer use 16. But the other PC's can still use 16 until I share the 20 file with them, correct?

Allow me to chime in and provide answers to your questions, @nutriwestmidatl6166.

I'm happy to know that you're going to reach out with our support team to purchase QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Pro 2020. 

To confirm, yes, you're correct! You can download QBDT 2020 version on your desktop with a separate or a different file. This is because you cannot open the same file using an older QBDT version once it was accessed by a most recent QBDT version. That's why we recommend creating a backup copy of your company file for QBDT 2016 version. Then, share the file to the other computer once you're ready. 

For your second question, yes, the other PC can still use QBDT 2016. You can still open the file as long as it is not accessed using a newer version (QBDT 2020). 

Here's a wonderful article that you can read through to guide you in upgrading your company file so it works in newer versions of QBDT: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version. 

Please know that you're always welcome to post again if you have any other questions about opening your company file. I'm always here to help, @nutriwestmidatl6166. Wishing you and your business continued success. 

Awesome! Thank you very much! My only issue now is, I have tried getting in touch through the chat link and it's not working.  Should I just go through the Sales phone number?

Thanks for getting back to us, nutriwestmidatl6166.

When you say "the chat link and it's not working", are you getting an error or you're unable to open it? You can use the Contact QuickBooks Desktop support page and choose Start a QuickBooks Pro/Premier chat. 

You'll be routed to the chat support page. Please see the attached screenshot below for your visual guide.

You can also go to this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact as an alternative. Choose QuickBooks Desktop, then click Search for something else. Enter a brief discussion of your concern in the Tell us more about your question box, then click Search.

Scroll down and you'll see the Start a Message button. Once you're connected to our chat team, they will be the to assist you on how to purchase QuickBooks Desktop 2020.

Stay in touch on how this goes by commenting below. I'm always right here to help.