Closing My Business. Backup and Archival Options.

Hello there, crucialpro.

We're sorry to hear that you have to deactivate your account owing to the closure of your business. I'll provide details on how a subscription works after cancelation and ensure you can achieve your goal by performing an alternative way.

Please know that once your subscription period ends, you will no longer be able to use or access your QuickBooks Desktop account. Your company file will remain on the device, but you'll need to re-activate the service, so you can open or view the data. 

To accomplish viewing your data, yes, the only version you can get is the QBDT annual subscription which costs $1830.00 per year. This is because QBDT's one-time purchase products are no longer available. All users now need to subscribe to an annual and monthly subscription plan regardless of their product type.

On the other hand, please know that you will have view-only access to your old data for 12 months after cancellation. With this, you may consider exporting your data to a different software program or using a cloud-based storage solution to access your data remotely. Otherwise, you can utilize our 30-day QuickBooks Desktop trial version for free and restore your backup from there to view your data.

In case you need different guidelines for effectively managing your business using QuickBooks Online, you can read this article: Help guide for QuickBooks Online.

Keep me posted by leaving a reply to this thread if you have more questions or concerns about subscription and managing your data. I'll get back to you as soon as possible, crucialpro. Stay safe and take care.

@crucialpro 

Which QB Desktop year version did you use to convert data? 2024 or older?

You can use the trial version to access your historical data for good. Contact me in private for details.

Hi  ChristieAnn, thanks so much for your response. I've downloaded the qbxml file from my online account as instructed in the link I posted above. I've also downloaded the Quickbooks Mac Plus 2024 Trial to see if I can open it but it seems I need to convert that to a MAC.qbb file? 

I have Windows on my MacBook Pro but I rarely use it and would hate to have to use it just to view my old company data. Are there any solutions for converting the file to use on Quickbooks Desktop for Mac?

Thanks,

Phil.

Hello there, @crucialpro. Thanks for providing the steps you've made so far. Allow me to chime in on this thread and share some information about converting your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Windows to QBDT Mac.

To begin, download the QBDT Windows trial version. 

1. Open and run the file. 
2. Go to the File menu, then select Utilities. Select Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac, then follow the onscreen instructions. QuickBooks will create a MAC.qbb (backup) file.
3. A message will pop up saying "It looks like ‘QuickBooks for Windows’ might be a better fit for your company," Make sure to check what data isn’t converted from Windows. If you want to continue, select Yes.
4. Go to the folder you want to save the file in. Name the file, and select Save.

Since you've already installed the QBDT Mac trial version, let's now restore the MAC .qbb backup on your Mac:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Copy the backup to the Documents folder on your Mac.
3. Reopen QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, then select File, then select Open Company.
4. Select the MAC.qbb file, then select Open.
5. Select OK when asked if you want to restore a QuickBooks for Windows file.
6. Enter a name for the restored file, and then select Save.

Please refer to this article for reference: Convert a QuickBooks for Windows file to QuickBooks for Mac.

Additionally, you can refer to this article to see what files QuickBooks uses to store different types of data: File types and extensions used by QuickBooks Desktop.

Return to this thread if you require further assistance with the conversion process. I'll be here to help in any way I can. Have a great day!

@crucialpro

I have Windows on my MacBook Pro but I rarely use it

Can you open your company file on QB Windows? Which year version?

Hi JanbonN, thanks for your response and help. I installed the trial and followed the process you outlined however I don't see "Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac" in the dropdown as you indicated. 

Please see the screenshot attached. I feel I'm close to the finish line and really appreciate everyone's help!

Thanks for getting back here in the thread, @crucialpro. We'll share details to help you access your QBDT data from Windows to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Upon checking the screenshot you attached to your response, we see you're using QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise. Know that the Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac option you're trying to access is only available if you move your company files from QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, or Premier Accountant Editions. For more details, please see this page: Convert a QuickBooks for Windows file to QuickBooks for Mac.

Since you're using the Enterprise version and have no option to do so, we recommend reaching out to our Data Service Team so they can check for available options to help you move from Windows and access your data in your Mac. Feel free to check this article to see their contact information: QuickBooks Data Services FAQ.

Furthermore, here are some articles in case you encounter errors when trying to prepare your files for transfer:

• Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop.
• Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

We're only a click away if you need further assistance managing your QuickBooks Data. You can visit us here in the Community space or comment below so we can get back to you as soon as possible. Keep safe.

I don't see "Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac" in the dropdown as you indicated.

You may have 2 options:

1. Use the trial version of QB Desktop 2021 Pro to convert data from QBO to QBD. Open the file on QB Desktop 2021 and convert it to QB Desktop 2021 for Mac.

2. Purchase a 3rd party service to convert data from QB Desktop 2024 Enterprise to QB Desktop 2024 for Mac.

When I click on Trial Versions of QB Desktop there are only two option, Mac and Enterprise.  There is no option for regular QB Desktop as a trial version.  So why is this considered an option?  I'm closing my company and I need access to these records in case of an audit.  And you guys are giving false information all over the place.  None of it makes any sense. You want me to download reports.  What reports do I download, 7 years of all the reports?  How would I even start with that?  Why can't I have access to my data, DATA I'VE PAID FOR???????  If a client calls us after a year and needs to know what he hired us for I can't look that up.  We've been buying versions of QB for 20 plus years.  You can't come up with some way that people can look up their records for 7 years without charging them or putting them through ridiculous hoops.  I feel like there needs to be a class action law suit.  This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of.  

Stop saying to download a trial version.  It doesn't exist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Give me access to my data.  

@Loriem09 

Stop saying to download a trial version.

Do you need to convert your data from QBO to QB Desktop file and access your historical data for good, or else? You can contact @Fiat Lux - ASIA  and ask for the trial code for QB Desktop 2021.

I'm currently using QB Desktop 2023.  I'm closing the business.  From what I understand I can't use 2023 QB data in 2021 Desktop.  If that is possible I already own 2021 because I've been forced to buy QB every year.  I was told I cannot do that, you can't go backwards.  Can anyone confirm if I switch to online then download my data as Desktop can I look at it through 2021 Desktop???

I appreciate you sharing your query here on this thread, Loriem09. Let me help you manage and view your 2023 QuickBooks data to your 2021 desktop version.

Yes, you're right. You can switch to the online program and download your company data from there. Then, import them to your 2021 QuickBooks Desktop to view and access your business finances and other transactions. In addition to that, upgraded desktop programs from higher versions aren't possible to manage and view them to a lower version. With that, please know that all services and product levels of the QBDT 2021 version will be discontinued after May 31, 2024. For additional insights, refer to this article: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

Once you're ready, open your QuickBooks Desktop 2021 version first before performing the migration process. Then, sign in to your QBO account and download the migration tool. Follow Steps 2 to 5 outlined in this guide for more detailed information: Move your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

If you're considering canceling your QuickBooks subscription, you can visit this reference for the complete process: Cancel your QuickBooks Desktop Subscription.

Moreover, you can run specific reports to help you review a snapshot of your business financials and the data moved to your desktop account: Understand reports.

I'll be available on this thread to provide additional assistance for any added queries when managing data in your account. Feel free to keep me posted below, so I can get you covered. Take care and have a great day ahead!

@Loriem09 

You may have 2 options:

1. You can use the trial version of QBD 2023 for good to access your historical data.

2. Convert your data from QBD 2023 to QBO, then convert it back to QBD 2021. Some data will be lost due to conversion limitations.

Hi Crucialpro,

I am in the same situation. Why pay $649 renewal fees when there will be little activity. Make sure you Accountant has all historical data for audits. My conclusion is Intuit has a terrible policy here, void of any customer service. We used them for 15 years and are being dumped for closing our business. We should have access to our desktop version for historical data. That's why one uses QuickBooks!

I totally agree with you.  I knew a few years ago when they changed to the subscription format that it was going to be horrible and I didn't think people understood what was happening.  We are a very small business with 2 employees and just getting rocked with being charged so much every year after years of being around $300.  And unlike the old days when every year there would be new stuff, they pretty much stopped offering anything new but kept increasing the price.  I feel like QB should be kinder to those who have been with them since the start and give them a little leeway.  There is no reason why a business that is closing should not have complete access to their company for 7 years until all need has past to use their data.  Furthermore, I recognize that the ideal thing for me to do is switch to online for $30 a month or whathaveyou but this business is closing and I'm no longer a bookkeeper.  I do not need to learn an entirely new system of bookkeeping for no reason at all.  I'm expecting a couple more deposits and few more checks to close out this business.  I'm appalled that thinking it's okay to charge me over $900 is somehow fair otherwise I lose all access to my company and things I need to do to close this company.  Quickbooks has meant a lot to me, it forged a career for me as a bookkeeper with just a 3 day training course, when I didn't know what I was going to do with my life, since the mid-1990s and at the end of all that time they just screw me completely over.  I hate that my memories will be so tainted in the end.  I would never recommend QB, they don't care about anything, certainly not micro-businesses, but they also know they have the upper hand because there's no other options really.  If my husband's company didn't close this year, I'm not sure what we would have done.  I believe with payroll the charge would be close to $2000 per year to do simple bookkeeping and payroll for a tiny company.  That's crazy to me, just crazy.  I thought Enterprise was for larger big companies but they just suck all the marrow out of whoever they can.  I suppose I would seriously have to consider ditching desktop and using online if my husband didn't close his business and I just don't know if I would have it in me to switch from something that I've used for like 27 years to the new and unknown.  In any case, I will never think fondly of QB again and that's sad to me.

@Loriem09 

Any comment about my suggestions for your case?

Sir, 

I need to convert my Desktop 2024 files to Desktop 2023.  How can I do that?

Thank you.

Spence

1. Sign in to your company file as an admin.
2. Ensure you're in a Single-user Mode.
3. Go to the File menu, then select Utilities.
4. Select Export, then select Lists to IIF Files.
5. Select the lists you want to export, then select OK.
6. In the Save in dropdown, select a location to save your IIF file into.
7. Enter a file name, then select Save.
   
   

@Spence3 

Did you upgrade your data accidentally from 2023 to 2024?

Why don't you stay with 2024?

Good luck with that!  We did it and QB's did not transfer as it was in the desktop.  It was a jumbled mess.  Then they migrated 3 more times and we had triple the mess.  Now we can't access the old data to pull the reports for 2024 1st and 2nd quarter.  This has been a massive cluster.  And all we can find online is buy another subscription ............... 

My advice, get access with a trial subscription.  Run every report you could possibly run.  If in the future, get a free email address just for access, use the free version for access.

Future----------- find another accounting program that doesn't hold you hostage.  RUN!!

@AGH1 

Now we can't access the old data to pull the reports for 2024 1st and 2nd quarter

You can use the trial version of QBD 2024 Enterprise for good to access your historical data.