How to I find the version of a qbb backup file?

You cannot restore it unless you have the exact version of quickbooks that created the backup, and you have absolutely no way of determining (from even the Properties) what version of quickbooks created the backup.

So you are out of luck.

And then even if you can figure out what version of quickbooks was used to create the backup, you will have to buy the older version and it probably is not available, even from Intuit.

Sound crazy? You are right.

It is unbelievable to me that Intuit has not addressed these compatibility issues. In my view the Quickbooks software product should bear a large warning on the label disclosing each version of Quickbooks is completely incompatible with all of the others.

Hi, @James10.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm here to let you know that your opinion and feedback are greatly appreciated.

Indeed, knowing the exact version of QuickBooks that created the backup will surely make it easier to restore the file. If you want to see this information added in the future, I recommend sending us your insight and opinion by going to the Help menu at the top and selecting Send Feedback Online.

This way our Product Developers would know what you liked and what we can improve to make it better. Rest assured, I'll do the same thing on my end.

We really do update a lot, so let us know. We may be able to see this in a later release.

Should you need help, feel free to post here in the Community. I’m always here to help. Wishing you the best!

You don't need the same Year QB as the data file is from.

"And then even if you can figure out what version of quickbooks was used to create the backup, you will have to buy the older version and it probably is not available, even from Intuit."

You need the same year or newer, because the program will Restore, and also Update if need be.

And any Pro or Premier File can be restored using either Pro or Premier. Enterprise restores any file, but it also Upgrades it to Enterprise, so there is no going back to Pro/Premier.

And if the file is really old, you might need to update in interim jumps, because Intuit has a 3-year lifecycle for the program. Intuit would update an older file to QB 2019 for you, for instance.

This is a False Notice: "In my view the Quickbooks software product should bear a large warning on the label disclosing each version of Quickbooks is completely incompatible with all of the others."

That's never been true.

Yes, I have just learnt that all QB versions are not compatible with each other. This is what I learnt from QB sales agent. These agents, supposedly licensed, can solve all compatibility problems for every conversion and restoration at a fee to be provided by specific quotation on every request. Users need ongoing technical support service. You cannot do it yourself. I wish that QB would reply that I was mistaken and that in fact there was a way to get this done by users themselves. This very extraordinary feature was not found in all other brands in the market. For all other products, you can safely assume that a later version must be able to read data of an earlier version, with handy and automated conversion of backup file.

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@James10 wrote:

You cannot restore it unless you have the exact version of quickbooks that created the backup, and you have absolutely no way of determining (from even the Properties) what version of quickbooks created the backup.

 

So you are out of luck.

 

And then even if you can figure out what version of quickbooks was used to create the backup, you will have to buy the older version and it probably is not available, even from Intuit.

 

Sound crazy? You are right.

 

It is unbelievable to me that Intuit has not addressed these compatibility issues. In my view the Quickbooks software product should bear a large warning on the label disclosing each version of Quickbooks is completely incompatible with all of the others.

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Yes, I have just learnt that all QB versions are not compatible with each other. This is what I learnt from QB sales agent. These agents, supposedly licensed, can solve all compatibility problems for every conversion and restoration at a fee to be provided by specific quotation on every request. Users need ongoing technical support service. You cannot do it yourself. I wish that QB would reply that I was mistaken and that in fact there was a way to get this done by users themselves. This very extraordinary feature was not found in all other brands in the market. For all other products, you can safely assume that a later version must be able to read data of an earlier version, with handy and automated conversion of backup file.

Sorry, but this is not your QB agent in Hong Kong told me. They said I could not simply convert the data of QB Pro 2016 to QB Pro 2019 on my own. I have to pay a them a fee (by quotation) to do it so that I can load the data to QB Pro 2019. I had the same experience a few years ago. Therefore, for so many years I just visited the products and left it with frustration.

Hello there, davidli.

You can restore a backup of your company file. The data will be converted from older version to a later one. QuickBooks would update an older data for you. Also, please refer to the answer which our AllStar @qbteachmt provided above. It could definitely clear up your concern. 

In addition, you can also refer to these articles:

• Restore a Backup of Your Company File.
• Update Your Company File with a Later Version of QuickBooks.

Don't hesitate to get back to me if you need anything else. 

While it is true that you can upgrade from an older version to a newer, you may have trouble if you are trying to leap from a much older program to a current version.

In my experience, I have had to upgrade the program from 2007 to 2012 and then from 2012 to 2017 (this was a couple of years ago).

I hope this helps.

Linda Waters CPA

https://lindalwaterscpa.com/

Hello LindaLWatersCPA,

I'm glad to see you here in the Community. Allow me to help provide additional information regarding upgrading company files in QuickBooks Desktop.

Before performing the upgrade, I also recommend securing a backup copy of your company file from the older version. Once you convert a file to a later version, you can no longer open it in an earlier version of QuickBooks.

Just in case you need to use a trial version of QuickBooks for a test run, you also check out the support article I'm adding down below:

QuickBooks Desktop trial links.

It's also important to know about the company file compatibility to avoid issues and errors upon the upgrade. For more insights, I'm adding an article for additional reference on this:

Company file compatibility with QuickBooks Desktop when upgrading.

Thanks for dropping in and have a wonderful rest of your week. The Community is always up to lend a hand.

you can always upgrade to a higher version - watch out for anyone saying ABSOLUTE cannot be done.  If you have a 2017 desktop backup you can restore it to a 2017 or higher version and it does not matter if it is pro or enterprise.

The QB Sales agent provided you incorrect info.  While the average every day user might have issues a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (in desktop) can help you.

David:

None of what you stated is true. You can upgrade yourself with any newer version of QB. Before the 3 year rule was correct but not anymore. I have been doing this since QB 2005 through now QB 2020. If you like I will do it at a fraction of the cost, because it costs me nothing. Just to be clear, lets say you own QB 2019 you can convert any QB file, lets say you have a QB 2013 file (Any, QBB, QBW, QBA, etc..) you can just open the file with the QB 2019 and the program will let you know you need to upgrade to use the file with 2019 and that you will no longer be able to use this file with QB 2013. In the case of a QBA you can send accountants changes only to the QB year or the prior (If you have 2019 and the file sent to you is 18 or 19 you can send changes back to them no problem). This is why you back up before doing this in case something goes bad during the upgrade. Once you tell QB that this OK the program will update automatically. Hope this helps, again I am available for a nominal fee as it costs me $0. 

David:

None of what you stated is true. You can upgrade yourself with any newer version of QB. Before the 3 year rule was correct but not anymore. I have been doing this since QB 2005 through now QB 2020. If you like I will do it at a fraction of the cost, because it costs me nothing. Just to be clear, lets say you own QB 2019 you can convert any QB file, lets say you have a QB 2013 file (Any, QBB, QBW, QBA, etc..) you can just open the file with the QB 2019 and the program will let you know you need to upgrade to use the file with 2019 and that you will no longer be able to use this file with QB 2013. In the case of a QBA you can send accountants changes only to the QB year or the prior (If you have 2019 and the file sent to you is 18 or 19 you can send changes back to them no problem). This is why you back up before doing this in case something goes bad during the upgrade. Once you tell QB that this OK the program will update automatically. Hope this helps, again I am available for a nominal fee as it costs me $0. 

Not if you use QB's Accountant version.  Using this version you can open any QB's backup below the one you have and update the file to work with the version you are using.

Around 8 years ago all you had to do was hover over the backup filename in Windows Explorer and you would see the version used to create the file.

So why was that functionality taken away?  And why would we need to submit feedback now to get Intuit to restore that functionality which effects every accountant at one point or another when working with client files.

Seems counter "intuit"ive to me.

ive had to factory restore my computer. I've downloaded the qb desktop version that I have a key for and installed it. When I go to find file, or restore file, its saying the file version has been updated and I will need to restore original file or update qb to version of file. My business partner has the other software on his computer and he says that qb updates periodically. The file i'm trying to use is what he has sent from the original computer which has been updating? I've downloaded the file doctor which said no issues were found with my file. Also have ran qb tool hub and done same. Still every time i try to open qb, find file, the file it finds says wrong version. If i choose restore file, I'm assuming its only finding the newer file i've saved from my business partner, and saying wrong version as well! Have gone through troubleshoot steps to check for qb updates (through help, options, select all, update...etc) still when reopening qb i dont get the option to load updates, so I still get the same result.  Please help!

@troyt 

Which QBD year version do you have?

Thanks for joining in on the thread, troyt.

This error usually occurs if the company file copy was created on a version lower than the one you're currently using. For example, your client uses QuickBooks Desktop 2018 while you'reusing the 2019 or higher version. You might find this link helpful regarding the company file compatibility: Company file compatibility with QuickBooks Desktop when upgrading.

Here are also another reference when dealing with company files:

• Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop
• Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file
• Restore a backup of your company file

Keep us posted if you need additional assistance in restoring the company file.