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Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

I have talked to Intuit 4 times and Apple 2 times trying to resolve an issue with making a qbb backup file for my accountant. The qbb file will not open in my accountants QB software. We both have the latest versions of QB I am runni

20 Comments 20
MariaSoledadG
QuickBooks Team

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

I can see how you want QuickBooks Desktop for Mac backup to work in Windows, Mac720. I'm here to help and guide you through the process on how you can sort this out.

 

Opening a backup file from QuickBooks Desktop for Mac on a Windows platform can sometimes be challenging due to differences in the file formats and structures between the two operating systems.

 

You'll have to convert your QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows so you can open the file. But don't worry, you can still switch the file back to its original state QuickBooks Mac, just ensure that after the conversion the QuickBooks Accountant software won't do the following : 

 

  • Hold off on installing any QuickBooks updates until you get your file back.
  • Try not to enter anything new while your accountant has your file. This will prevent you from losing any records when you get your file back.
     

Once done, you can start moving the file. After you've updated QuickBooks for Mac, make sure to get your QuickBooks for Mac company file ready. To do so, search for memos with special characters. Follow the steps below on how you can do this:

 

  1. Select the Reports menu and then Custom Transaction Detail Report.
  2. From the Dates drop-down menu, select All Dates.
  3. Double-click a transaction with a memo to open it.
  4. Delete the special characters from the memo field and select Save.
  5. Close the transaction.
  6. Repeat the steps for all other transactions.
  7. Re-sort your lists.
  8. Go to File and select Utilities then Verify Data.

 

Next, move your company file to QuickBooks for Windows. Here's how:
 

  1. Sign in to QuickBooks Mac as the admin.
  2. Go to File menu and select Export. Select To QuickBooks for Windows.
    If you get a prompt to verify before you back up, select Verify.
  3. Name the file and choose the folder to save it in. Then, select Save. Make sure you don't add special characters in the file name.
  4. Enter and confirm your password, then select OK. Select OK again.
  5. Move the file to your Windows computer. If the file is small enough, most people do this with a USB flash drive, online storage, or email.
  6. Restore the file in QuickBooks for Windows.

 

For more details on the process, refer to this article: Move QuickBooks for Mac File to QuickBooks Windows

 

After you move your company file to the QuickBooks Desktop Windows version, you might want to create new company files. You can learn how you can copy and use accounts, lists, templates, and preferences from an existing company file. I've got this handy article for your guide: Create New Company Files From Existing Ones in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you have any other questions or concerns when opening your company file, you can always let us know so we can get back to you. We'll always be right here to help you. Have a great day ahead!

Chrea
Level 6

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

@Mac720 

Open the sample file and create the backup file for your accountant. Did they encounter the same problem?

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Thank you for your reply however you did not address my problem. I know how to make an accountant file backup. I don't need to restore from that file. My accountant can NOT open the qbb file that I send him. He continues to get error message C=44. Thank you but you did not provide a solution.

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

I don't have a sample file. Can you download a sample file? Thank you for responding.

Chrea
Level 6

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Run your QB on Mac as usual and you'll see the option to open (you will download it first time) the sample file.

MitchMac
Level 3

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

When you created the backup to Windows copy, it makes you run a verify on the file.  Did that verify come back clean, or did it mention any problems?  You can also run a Verify on the file, just go to File > Utilities > Verify data.  If that comes back without any errors, you might want to check the QuickBooks.log file to see if anything is reported in there for problems (a C=44 is usually a problem with a transaction or multiple transactions).  Depending on if it finds any problems in the log file, those problems will need to be addressed first before you can create the backup to Windows copy.  The log file is located at the following location:

 

Macintosh HD\Users\(user name)\Library\Logs\QuickBooks\QuickBooks.log

 

If you do not see the Library folder (it may be hidden by the system), you can access it by going to the Finder and then select the Go menu and choose Go to Folder...  In there, type /Users/(your user name)/Library and it will take you to the folder, then you can navigate to the Log file and open it.

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Thank you I found the library/logs/QuickBooks there are 4 logs. I have no idea what they mean or how to detect an error. Way over my head.

 

MitchMac
Level 3

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

After you run the verify, you can double click the one called QuickBooks.log, when that's open you can scroll down to the bottom of the log (the latest verification will be at the bottom).  Does it say anything like 'Error Verify Link Error', or anything similar to that?  If it does have any errors listed in there, I'd recommend making a backup of your data, then run a Rebuild on the file (it may fix the issues if there are any), after doing the Rebuild I'd run another Verify to make sure that the file is clean.

If the second Verify still comes back with with problems, then you can check the QuickBooks.log file again and scroll to the bottom to see what the error is in there.  Usually it contains some sort of detail referencing an amount, transaction type, or name that can then be searched for to find the transaction within QuickBooks.  

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

There is no log in the Library log. Only a diagnostic log. Is this what you are referring to? Thank you.

MitchMac
Level 3

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Unfortunately no, once you run the Verify it should auto create the file QuickBooks.log  That particular file contains any/all problems it finds or does not find within the company file.

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Thank you for the suggestion to send the Sample file saved as a qbb to my accountant. They couldn't open the file and received the error message:

Restart QB and try again. If you continue to experience this error, please not the C= value and contact technical support.

C = 116

Chrea
Level 6

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

There's something wrong with QB on your accountant's PC. Ask them to open the sample file and send you a backup file. Are you experiencing the same problem?

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

The accountant can't open the Sample backup file. It stops restoring data at 46% and then gives the error message I posted. Thanks for the reply.

Chrea
Level 6

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Ask them to open their own sample file (not the one you sent them) and send the backup file to be open on your Mac. Did you encounter the same problem?

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

I will ask them. Thank you.

 

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Thank for all the suggestions. QB finally determined that the new memorized transactions and the old one I changed the dates for 2025 were the problem. I deleted all the  memorized transactions QB identified and the qbb file worked for the accountant. I then reentered one of the memorized 2025 date transactions, sent new qbb file and accountant could not open it. Not sure what has happened to entering recurring memorized transactions.

 

yairamir
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

My accountant has the same problem - cannot open my qbb file.

This is crazy - we both have the latest QB - me, the Mac for Desktop 2024 version and he the Windows. This is clearly an Intuit software issue. My verify is completely clean. I am stuck like dead in the water.

 

JanbonN
QuickBooks Team

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

Hello there, yair. I'm here to provide further troubleshooting to help make your file accessible.

 

One possible reason your company file isn't opening in your accountant's QBDT for Windows is due to memos containing more than 50 characters or special characters like !@#$%^&*.

 

We can run a report to check this:

 

  1. Go to Reports and select Custom Transaction Detail Report.
  2. Select All Dates from the Dates drop-down.
  3. Double-click a transaction with a memo to open it.
  4. Delete the special characters from the memo field and select Save.
  5. Close the transaction.
  6. Repeat the steps for all other transactions.

 

Please refer to this article for more details: Move QuickBooks for Mac file to QuickBooks for Windows.

 

If the issue persists, I recommend contacting our support team for further details. They have the tools and expertise to access your account in a safe environment, identify the problem, and provide a solution.

 

Additionally, you can refer to this article about adding another user to your company file: Invite Intuit Account users to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

 

Please reply to this thread if you have other concerns about your company file in QBDT for Mac, yair. We're here to help you in any way we can.

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

My accountant sent my qbb file to QB and they identified the memorized transactions causing the problem they did not have any special characters. I can not create any memorized transactions now, after deleting the problem ones. I sent my QB files to QB yesterday. I suggest you call QB.

 

Mac720
Level 1

Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

This is misinformation. This will not help. Thank you of responding.

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