This is the second time this post has solved my problem. This happens every time I move QB to a different computer and then after several complicated attempts at fixing the issue, I find this post. Then, boom, the problem is solved in 30 seconds. 

Thank you, Joshua, you are my QuickBooks Hero!

I ran into this issue on Windows 2025 Server with QuickBooks 2024 and stumbled upon a solution to the error message when opening QuickBooks: QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF files is missing.

I ensured the XPS printer was installed and working, but apparently, QuickBooks checks the name of the XPS Printer.  It must be named exactly: Microsoft XPS Document Writer

Once I named it correctly, the error went away.  As a sanity check, I renamed it to something else and the error returned!  I hope this helps someone!

THANK GOD! this worked in a few seconds after hours of trying the stupid tools, rebooting, and all the updates! If you have this issue follow this and it will be fixed in seconds!