Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2020 will not update

MichelleMM1 · ‎April 13, 2021

I had this same issue back in December trying to update QB desktop. Automatic updates are on but not updating on own. I run QB as administrator to install updates, the install window pops up and goes away, prompted to reboot computer. I reboot, open QB and says there is an update waiting and do not have required permissions. I ran the ToolHub QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool, Quick Fix My Program, QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool. I also ran the repair on QB in Windows Programs Control Panel. Eventually, QB will not open at all because of this cycle of "you have to reboot" and "you don't have the required permissions."

In December 2020 I spent the better half of a day with a very nice support person on the phone. In the end I had to uninstall QB, download a fresh copy and install. She indicated the problem I encountered was not exclusive. I am wondering if anyone else encountered such issues and had a work around. I really don't want to uninstall, re-install every few months.

Thanks much, Michelle

jamespaul · ‎April 13, 2021

Hello, Michelle.

I appreciate spending the time with our support to resolve the update issue. I agree that reinstalling the program can be time-consuming. That said,

I have a few more things you can do to fix this.

Make sure to log in as the Windows administrator to apply the updates properly. If you're not logged in as an admin, you'll want to contact them.

Also, you'll want to run QuickBooks as an administrator. There might be an extra permission to have the system apply the update. Here's how to do it:

Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon, then select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab, then check Run this program as administrator.
Click Apply, then hit OK.

You might've already done the steps from this article, but you can follow the solutions outlined in the document: Message: You do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder.

Alternatively, you can download the updates manually to get around the error message. Get them from our Downloads & Updates page.

After fixing the issue, you can start working on your QuickBooks Desktop program again. If you need help completing your tasks, we have other guides to assist you: QuickBooks Desktop articles list page.

I still welcome any other questions you might have for QuickBooks Desktop. Just reply here and I'll ensure your concerns are taken care of.

View solution in original post

jamespaul · ‎April 13, 2021

Hello, Michelle.

I appreciate spending the time with our support to resolve the update issue. I agree that reinstalling the program can be time-consuming. That said,

I have a few more things you can do to fix this.

Make sure to log in as the Windows administrator to apply the updates properly. If you're not logged in as an admin, you'll want to contact them.

Also, you'll want to run QuickBooks as an administrator. There might be an extra permission to have the system apply the update. Here's how to do it:

Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon, then select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab, then check Run this program as administrator.
Click Apply, then hit OK.

You might've already done the steps from this article, but you can follow the solutions outlined in the document: Message: You do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder.

Alternatively, you can download the updates manually to get around the error message. Get them from our Downloads & Updates page.

After fixing the issue, you can start working on your QuickBooks Desktop program again. If you need help completing your tasks, we have other guides to assist you: QuickBooks Desktop articles list page.

I still welcome any other questions you might have for QuickBooks Desktop. Just reply here and I'll ensure your concerns are taken care of.

MichelleMM1 · ‎April 21, 2021

Hello JamesPaul,

All fantastic solutions but none worked for me. In the end I had to uninstall, download a fresh .exe and reinstall. I am up and running with the latest update. I just can't wrap my head around why in the last 2 updates it will not auto-update as it is set and had done in the past.

Appreciate the help, thank you.

Michelle

Cristina0821 · ‎June 18, 2022

I'm having the same problem now.

jcfllc · ‎October 18, 2022

i have the same issue! i am not a computer person. what do you recommend

GlinetteC · ‎October 18, 2022

You can update the desktop program directly to the website and download it from there, jcfllc.

You can follow the steps below:

Click here to access the Downloads & Updates page.
Click the Country drop-down and choose your country (United States).
In the Select Product drop-down, select the correct QuickBooks edition you’re using.
Then pick your desktop version from the Select Version drop-down and tap the Search button.
This will take you to the window that shows your product.
From there, click the Get the latest updates link to launch it.

Once finished, close your QuickBooks Desktop, then relaunch it. Make sure to select Yes on the pop-up to install the updates.

If the same thing happens, I suggest you do a clean install of QuickBooks Desktop.

If none of these suggestions work, I recommend contacting our Technical Support Team. They can review your account and investigate what's causing this to happen. Here's how:

In your QuickBooks Desktop program, go to Help > QuickBooks Desktop Help.
In the Have a Question window, click the Contact Us link at the bottom.
From the Contact Us page, select any topics.
Under Here's how to connect with a QuickBooks expert section, click the Start a Message or Get Phone Number button.

Note that our support hours for QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Plus start from M-F 6 AM to 6 PM. For QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, we're available any time, any day.

If you have any additional questions about updates or other concerns, post them here. We're always available to assist you.

Fiat Lux - ASIA · ‎October 18, 2022

@jcfllc

Which edition do you run? Pro or Premier?

Which Release version?

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Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2020 will not update