Need to downgrade an updated QB (2020) file to work with older version (2018)

I admire you for taking the time in telling us about your concern, @capnomo.

The process of upgrading your company file in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) is irreversible. Thus, it isn't possible to downgrade your file.

As a way around, you can look for a third-party app that lets you revert your 2020 file back to the 2018 file. Simply hover to the App Center in your QBDT or visit our Apps for QuickBooks Desktop page for reference. 

Moving forward, you'll want to create a backup copy of your company file before you upgrade it to a newer version of QBDT. This way, you can still access your file in your older version of QBDT.

Furthermore, I'm attaching this article that you can utilize in case you need to import some data to your QBDT: Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop.

You can always count on me if you need more help with your company files or with QBDT. Keep me posted by tagging me in your reply. Keep safe and have a good one!

@capnomo 

You may have 2 options:

1. If you prefer to use QBD 2018 Enterprise, you will have to migrate your data with a 3rd party tool.

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbd

2. If you are concerned about the subscription license, you can still purchase a one-time license for QBD 2021 Pro/Premier. You can purchase a 3rd party service to downgrade your Enterprise file. Contact us in private for details.

Thanks @JasroV ! I now realize that I cannot downgrade my file to be readable by 2018 but I do have 2018 backup except it is from last year just before upgrading to 2020. I now have installed 2018 and restored the file from last year but now I'm missing all last year's transactions. Is there a way to export last year's transactions from the 2020 file and import them into the 2018 file? The link you included talks about import/export of customers and vendors but not the transactions.

Thanks!

Hi there, capnomo.

I'd be glad to provide some information about importing data from QuickBooks Desktop 2020 to QuickBooks 2018.
 

Downgrading company file is unavailable with QuickBooks. Although we can open QuickBooks 2018 to QuickBooks 2020 version, not the other way around. 

Also, I agree with Fiat Lux - ASIA's suggestion to look for third-party applications in our marketplace to incorporate with QuickBooks that can help you import or downgrade the file. Here's where you can check for a supported app that can successfully integrate with QuickBooks Desktop: Apps for QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, I've included an article that'll help you learn more about the new and improved features the latest version offers. This helps you manage the features that can benefit your business: What’s New in QuickBooks Desktop 2022.

You can always get back to me in this thread if you have other follow-up questions or concerns about importing process. I’ll be around ready to help you. Stay safe!

@LeizylM  I am sorry but your answer has nothing to do with what I said in my post, did you read my post or is this an automated answer?

Hi @capnomo, I'll help share details about your transactions.

Yes, you can generate a report showing a list of 2020 transactions directly from your bank account website. Then, import the file to the 2018 restored back up copy of your company data.

Use this link to read and learn more about downloading transactions from your bank: Import Web Connect (.qbo) File of Bank Transactions in QuickBooks Desktop.

You may also read this article in case an error message prompt occur while importing your transactions: How to Fix (.qbo) File Import Issues in QuickBooks Desktop?

I've got you covered if you have question about your bank account and transactions in QuickBooks. Use the Reply option below and leave a comment. Take care always!

What's a one time license for 2021?

---

@ECSailingPVS 
Contact us in private for assistance. We can help to provide a legit one time license for QBD 2021 Pro/Premier/Accountant edition .

Hello @ECSailingPVS,

Thank you for posting here in the Community. Allow me to step in and share some information about QuickBooks Desktop.

Fiat Lux - ASIA is referring to a one-time purchase of the desktop product. You'll need to purchase or have an existing 2021 version of QuickBooks to have a license key. You can use this during the installation of the program.

For additional reference, I've attached a link about the discontinuation policy, as well as some answers to frequently asked questions regarding the older QuickBooks versions: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

Drop me a comment below if you have any other questions about the Desktop version or if you need additional guidance. I'll be happy to help you some more.

Surely we cannot be the only business that does not have internet access all the time -- I don't mind renewing my software, I just need the internet/log in requirement removed. 

When we are sailing, the only internet access we have is satellite and its expensive. I use it  for weather and to send out emails. Its cruel of Quickbooks to require internet access just to update my books... I can log in the first time, but then it warns me that I have to log in soon to keep using the desktop software! At some point, it just refuses to start at all ---which makes me have to stack up my expenses, taxes, and payments on post it notes to wait until I have good internet to update my books!  Craziness! ITS AWFUL!!  And it slows down my little laptop!

Maybe I could just log in once a year or once a quarter?

I do use online payroll -- love it, but I only need to log in a couple of times a year and it works really well for us.

I don't need the internet often or help online very often for bookkeeping -- so is it possible to have the log in requirement turned off?

I hear your sentiments, @ECSailingPVS. I’ll chime in and provide some insights to help you sort out this issue with QuickBooks Desktop.

At this moment, the option to turn off log in requirement is unavailable. That said, you’ll need to ensure your system fulfills all the requirements for the best experience.

Additionally, I’ll share with you this article to check out for more troubleshooting steps. This includes optimizing your ever to minimize performance issues of your QBDT.

Furthermore, I'm adding these handy resources that can guide you on managing your company files along the way:

• Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file.
• Restore a backup of your company file.
  
  

Please let me know if you need clarification about system requirements for QBDT, or there's anything else I can do for you. I'll be standing by for your response. Have a great day and stay safe.

Thanks for the reply.  Please note that I have been using QBs for almost 20 years and am fully equipped to manage company files, back it up and do recoveries all by myself.  (Not sure what kind of desktop user does not have that capability or skill -- enterprise or multi user, sure, but us stand alone users are pretty good at these things.)

I understand that there is a marketing change or some kind of software direction that is changing, but why screw up software that I purchased in 2019? When I purchased it, logging in was not required. I feel that this is a breach of contract based on the conditions of purchase. I would not mind updating. but I know that I cannot be truly stand alone if I do. 

The email was screwed up in 2020 with an update... so I had to create a work around for that.

I used to accept payments through the Intuit Payment network, but now that is screwed up as well because of this new direction. That means, as a stand alone desktop user, as of jan 2022 I cannot process e checks or credit cards using 2019 Pro... and I cannot move on to 2021 because of the online requirements.  I'm literally stuck... and Intuit lost my merchant account business. 

I guess my $500k a year merchant account is not important enough to maintain the functionality.  That's okay - Bank of America set up merchant account quickly as these features were becoming unsupported in Quickbooks. The last question for me is when do I just let go of Quickbooks desktop because I cannot use what I have and I cannot use the new version. 

If you find a work around for logging in or always being connected to a server, I would be glad to stay with Quickbooks... but even if you did, how would I know about the option? You would have to tell me somehow... I'm sure it would be difficult to find that option on my own, even if it were released in an update.  Really sad. 

(Note: Cricut tried to do something similar and got a lot of angry users. Cricut users are tight, though, and have lots of user groups and thus were able to unite in their displeasure with the decision to be only subscription based. Cricut listened to their users and decided to allow any user before 2020 to continue on without a subscription or logging in to use their software. Seems like the most fair solution, since that was the terms at time of purchase... and Cricut got more loyal users because of it.)

I'm right there with you ECSailingPVS. I hate the direction of QuickBooks. I'm about ready to return to my ledger I used before moving to QuickBooks in 2001.

@CRracer712 

You can still purchase the one time license for QBD 2021 or QBD 2022 Accountant to upgrade your outdated versions.