Welcome to the Community, @drelectrik.

I'm here to help you achieve your goal, but I need more information to help me get on the same page. Could you tell me more about it? Like, where does your file can't be seen or selected?  This way, I can provide you with an accurate resolution.

I appreciate any details you can provide. I'm looking forward to your reply. Have a great rest of the day.

@drelectrik 

Do you need to find a file on your local machine or another machine? 

Thanks for the Information it was helpful.

However, while scanning how do i clear a network diagnostics errors

Thanks for joining in this thread, 24PAULA. I'm here to ensure we get around these network errors and get you back on track with your business. 

There could be several reasons why errors occur while using QuickBooks. One of the possible causes is an outdated QuickBooks database server manager. Another reason could be the Windows Firewall blocking QuickBooks from accessing the necessary ports required to connect to the internet.

To avoid such errors, it's important to ensure that the QuickBooks Database Server Manager version you're using is compatible with your QuickBooks. Here are some steps we can follow to check its compatibility:

1. Press Windows + R and type "Services.msc" in the Run box.
2. Hit Enter to open the list of installed services.
3. Locate QuickBooksDBXX and match the last two digits with your QuickBooks Desktop version.
4. If you have different versions of QuickBooks Database Server Manager, install the appropriate version of the component to resolve the errors.

I'll also include this helpful resource if you encounter the same or any data damage or network-related problems, or fix company file issues in QuickBooks Desktop: Fix company file and network issues with QuickBooks File Doctor. 

Furthermore, feel free to visit our Support page which contains resources, video tutorials, and tips to manage your company files should you encounter challenges in the future. 

I'll be on the lookout in the comment section for your updates and more queries on network errors and any other QuickBooks-related matters. Take care and keep safe. 

Can i have the desktop version be able to work from my house and work at the same time without being on the same host?

We appreciate you joining here in the thread, Niznog.

I'll share information regarding QuickBooks Desktop hosting to access company files from different locations.

Yes, you can have your QuickBooks Desktop version working from your house and work simultaneously without being on the same host. With this, we recommend online hosting.

Intuit has authorized several hosting providers. You can visit this page to choose which plan fits your business needs: Hosting providers authorized by Intuit.

Moreover, you can review these materials to learn how to access your company file remotely using an internet browser or remote desktop connection from your home or office: How to host a QuickBooks Desktop company file.

Furthermore, you might want to scan these resources for guidance to install and set up QuickBooks Desktop on a server and resolve related issues:

• Install QuickBooks Desktop on a server
• How to fix Error H202 and H505

Feel free to get back to us in the thread if you have additional questions regarding hosting QuickBooks Desktop or other related concerns. We're always around to help.

@Niznog 

How many user license do you have?

Good morning,

thanks for the info you shared it is really helpful because I need to add 1 computer to my QB,

but my version is to old, what do I need to do?

Can I update to the latest version & use the same license? y so, once the new computer is added can I work on both computer at the same time?

or do I need to buy a new license? if so, how can transfer all my business info to the new program?

I'll really appreciate any help!

Thanks

Jhenny

@The Real Swim 

Which QB Desktop year version do you have?

Hi @4Gal  

the year is 2015

V16.1.14 R15

@The Real Swim 

Your version has outdated. You need to purchase a new license of QB Desktop 2024 Pro Plus or Premier Plus.

Hello there, @The Real Swim.

Let me chime in and provide information about using QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) on two computers at the same time.

To start with, you can install QBDT 2015 on the other computer. However, ensure to create a backup copy of your company file. Then, install and restore your file to the new computer.

Here's how to create a backup company file:

1. Go to the File menu, and select Switch to Single-user Mode.
2. Select Local Backup and then click Next.
3. In the Local Backup Only section, select Browse, and then select where you want to save your backup company file.
4. When you're ready, select OK.
5. Select Save it now, and then click Next.

After creating a backup, you can prepare for the installation of QuickBooks. Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements and download your version of QuickBooks Desktop. Save the downloaded file in a location that is easily accessible, such as a Windows desktop, Lastly, keep your product and license number ready for the installation process.

Once done, you can now install the QBDT. Here's how:

1. Open the file QuickBooks.exe.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions. Accept the software license agreement and then select Next.
3. Enter your product and license numbers. Then select Next.

To restore your file on your new computer, follow the steps below:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Select the File menu, then Open or Restore Company.
3. Restore the file based on its type:

• Windows company file (.qbw)

                a. Select Open a company file, then select Next.

                b. Open the appropriate folder, then choose the company file.

                c. Select Open, then enter the password.

• Windows backup file (.qbb)
• Windows portable file (.qbm)
• Mac company file (.dmg or .qbxxx)

However, if you want to use QuickBooks on both computers at the same time or use multi-user. Yes, you'll need to purchase a new license with one additional user. This will enable you to use QuickBooks on both computers at the same time. You may refer to this website to check for the pricing: QuickBooks Desktop Pricing. 

You can also contact the support team, to check for plans & pricing that suit your business: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support.

For future reference, you can check this article to help you learn more about hosting your company data in multi-user mode in QBDT: Multi-user mode.

Stay in touch with me if there's anything else I can help you with managing QBDT on two computers. I'll be right here to provide the information that you need.

Sure, I do it all the time when I travel.  On your original PC look to see where the Company file is located and copy the whole FOLDER to a Thumbdrive or portable drive.  Put that Folder in the same place on your Home PC (See note below on relocating the file if needed to make things simpler.) 

Next install QBDT on your Home computer and when the screen comes up to create a new file look for Open Existing File.  Point QBs to the QBs file in the Folder you moved and you'd done.  VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!!!...  If you go this path you MUST be very diligent about moving the Folder between the two computers EVERY TIME you make a change.  The file you move IS your Company file.  You will royally mess yourself up if you make changes to the DIFFERENT files on the two computers!!  

Another option is to use a program like AnyDesk (or any of the Remote Desktop programs) to access your computer from Home or anywhere you have your notebook with you.  This way you are really always just working on your Work Computer.  There are some security risks, but if you use a good Remote Desktop computer and use VERY STRONG Passwords and encryption on everything (which everyone should be doing anyway), then the risk is not really different than someone breaking in and stealing your computer.

Moving the QB Company Folder/File:  If you find the Company Folder is currently located multi levels down and it's a pain to copy it every time, you can move it.  QB's does not care!  I have ALL of my User Data in C:\Data to make it easy to backup.  So you can create a C:\QB Data or C:\Data\QB Data folder, basically anywhere and called anything you want.  First you Open QBs and then go to to File > Close Company and when it closes you'll be on the screen with some boxes and options to open files.  Close QBs.

Make a copy of your QB Folder and then Move the original Folder to this new location (and Rename it if you want).  Open QBs and it will open to the screen to then Open a File.  Choose Open Existing Company and point to where you moved the Folder to and your Company File.  Open that file and QBs will now use that location every time you open QBs.  Do the same on the other PC, you want to keep things simple and the same on both!

As long as you don't need Payroll, Bank Feed, etc.  Older versions of QBDT will just keep working.  You don't have to update if you don't want to.

I have a number of clients that are not updating because of Intuit's choice of getting rid of QBDT and only offer the MUCH more expensive Enterprise version.  Enterprise may be a great program for larger companies, but way to expensive for most SMBs.  So they're either leaving (not wanting to go to QB Online) or staying with their old version and downloading the bank files manually.  (Again, it may not be an option if you use their Payroll.) 

Hi @Clark_B 

Sorry to bother you, Im ready to update to the last version of QB but I have a question;

Can I just update my old 2015 version or do I have to buy a new 2024 program? And if I buy the new program, is the procedure for transferring my information to a new program the same as if it were just an update?

Jhenny

@The Real Swim 

They will only accept to purchase additional seat for supporting versions (i.e 2022-2024). You can call their sales team by phone to purchase QB Desktop 2024 Pro Plus or Premier Plus. If they refuse to offer any of it, you can contact @Fiat Lux - ASIA and they can help to obtain the license + you can get $100 cashback. You can also ask them to provide the trial code of QB Desktop 2018 and 2021 to upgrade your company file gradually.

Going from 2015 to 2024 you probably will need to download a trial version of something in the middle, like 2019.  (Or even 2018, then 2021.) 

Obviously make a few copies of the QB Company Folder (not compressed) as well as having QB Backups (compressed).  Then go ahead and try to do an update straight to 2024, but if it doesn't work don't panic.  Just talk to them about progressively updating.  

Hi @Clark_B 

I have one more question, can I share & work my business on 2 different licences?

We appreciate you getting back to us in the Community, The Real Swim.

I have the information you need to work with your company file using two diverse licenses. Allow me to discuss it with you thoroughly.

With QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), you can share and work with your business on two different licenses. With this, you should have the same QuickBooks version to set up the file for multi-user mode.

To begin with, ensure installing QBDT on a server and set up everything outside QuickBooks to let other computers under your network access your company file.

After that, here's how you can turn on Multi-user Access:

1. Head to the File menu in QBDT.
2. Hover your cursor over Utilities, then choose Host Multi-User Access. 
3. Click on Yes to confirm.

Furthermore, you can review this material for guidance on accessing QBDT remotely from a host or server computer: Open a company file on a remote computer.

Keep us posted in the Community if you have additional questions when setting up multi-user mode or other related concerns with QuickBooks Desktop. We'll be around to help.

Can you give your Company file to me or someone else that also has QB Desktop?  Yes. 

Unlike QB Online, with Desktop you can work with as many separate companies as you want. 

But be VERY careful that both of your are not making changes to the file on each of your computers.  And both of you need to be working with the same version of QBs Desktop.  I would frequently make corrections/changes to one of my client's Company file on my computer and then just load the file back onto their computer. 

We have our main computer and I have my laptop.  I want to be able to access the main computer from my laptop when I am working at home.  How would I do this?

Hi there, @Deb134.

Thanks for reaching out to the QuickBooks Community! Accessing your QuickBooks Desktop from both your main computer and your laptop is definitely achievable, and I'm here to guide you through the options available to make that happen.

You can set up QuickBooks Desktop for Multi-User mode, allowing access from multiple computers on the same network. Ensure QuickBooks Desktop is installed on both the main computer and your laptop.

Here's how:

1. On the main computer, open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Navigate to File and select Utilities.
3. Choose Host Multi-User Access.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up hosting.

After that, ensure both computers are on the same network, which might require setting up a Remote Desktop Connection or VPN with assistance from an IT professional. Also, ensure the folder containing your company file is shared and accessible on the network. Remote desktop is the ability to connect with and use a faraway desktop computer from your laptop.

Please note that your laptop needs to have Windows File permissions set to Full Control so you can open and modify the company file. You can check this article for more detailed steps: Open a company file on a remote computer.

After that, let's open QuickBooks Desktop on your laptop. Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop on your laptop.
2. Select File and choose Open or Restore Company.
3. Browse to the company file location on the main computer's shared network.

Always back up your company file before making any changes or setting up new configurations.

Another option is to transfer the company file between your main computer and laptop using a USB drive or cloud storage. Save a backup copy of your QuickBooks file to the USB or cloud storage, then restore it on your laptop when needed. However, you'll need to take note of these considerations before using this option:

• Data Changes: Always remember to transfer the most recent copy of your QuickBooks file. If changes are made on your laptop while you're away, you'll need to transfer the updated file back to your main computer and vice versa.
• Concurrent Access: This method can be effective for your needs, but if you require synchronized access or real-time updates, hosting services or Multi-User setup is most suitable.
• Version Compatibility: Ensure both your main computer and laptop are using the same version of QuickBooks Desktop to avoid compatibility issues.

You can check this article to learn more about hosting a multi-user mode in QBDT: Host your company data in a multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, you can also check out this article to learn how to fix common errors during multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop: How to fix Error H202 and H505.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or need further assistance. We're here to ensure you have the support you need to manage your QuickBooks effectively.

There are a couple of ways to work remotely.  If you are the ONLY one that will be accessing the file, you can have QBs installed on both your Work Desktop and your Laptop.  You can then simply copy the file from your Desktop and put it on your Laptop when you leave the office and then copy if from the Laptop when you go back to the office.  

I do this when I travel all the time.  There are two BIG NOTES with this.  First, you can be the only one looking at the QBs data as what is on you Desktop when you leave is OLD data.  And, you can NEVER forget to copy the latest version of the QBs Company file off your Laptop when you go back to the office.

The other way if you need the info to remain current on you Desktop is to use a program like AnyDesk or any of the other Remote Desktop programs.  This basically just makes your Laptop the Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse for you Desktop.  All of the data stays on your Desktop and is (I hope) backed up normally every night.  

Few catches...  You need to use a better Remote Desktop program so that there are security protocols in place.  There are some free ones out there, but you could easily get yourself in trouble.  If there are other people in your office, you need to make sure that you set the Desktop monitor to go Black when you are working remotely.  You wouldn't want to be working on Salary or something to do with the Principals while someone was using your desk while you were out.  

Also, no one can use your computer while you are.  It really is as if you were sitting there in your chair.  Your Desktop will be running QBs in your office.  At your end you just get the Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse.  But the advantage is that the latest version of the books are still in the office.  So if someone has the authorization to open QuickBooks, they can run Reports on the latest work you've done. 

@Deb134 

Do you have a QB license for single user or 2 users?