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EnglishTea
Level 1

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

QuickBooks Forum,

 

I work in a small Family Office and use QuickBooks to manage the financials of my clients. As such, I have many separate "QuickBooks Companies". My problem is as follows:

 

When I go to open a company file (File > Open or Restore Company > Open a Company File) the destination it takes me to includes a whole bunch of "File Folders" in addition to the "QuickBooks Company Files". I don't want these "File Folders" here, I have tried moving them to another location but then QB automatically creates new "File Folders" in their place. My questions are:

 

1. What are the files for? Do they contain the PDFs that I attach to my checks? Can I delete them?

2. How do I make it so that they don't appear in this file so that I don't have to scroll past them every time I change companies?

 

Thank you,

EnglishTea

 

7 Comments 7
BigRedConsulting
Community Champion

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

If QuickBooks automatically re-creates the folders then deleting them won't be effective.

 

There are several different folders it will create to store attachments, tax forms, indexing files, signature files, company logo files, and perhaps other types of files.

 

For example,

If the folder name ends with  " - Images" then it'll contain your logo, signature file, and perhaps other files.

If it ends with ".QBW.SearchIndex", then it's for the file's search index.

 

EnglishTea
Level 1

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

BigRedConsulting,

 

Thank you for the reply. The folder name ends in "qbw.SearchIndex" so it is a search index file. Not a whole lot I can do with this information...

 

I really just want the folders to not show up when trying to "Open a Company". They never used to. Please let me know if you have a solution.

 

Thanks,

EnglishTea

MariaSoledadG
QuickBooks Team

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

I'm here to provide the information you need so you'll be able to open the file easily, EnglishTea.

 

When searching a company file, all the files will show on the list based on the related keyword that you use in QuickBooks. You'll want to locate your files using a wildcard search of File Explorer. To do so, here's how:

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.
  2. Type File Explorer into the search and open File Explorer.
  3. Select My Computer or This PC from the navigation bar. 
  4. In the search field, be sure to include the asterisk (*) before the extension type (*.qbw, *.qbb) to find all corresponding files. You may also search for *.qb for QuickBooks.

Please read this article for more information: Locating Backups and Company Data Files. You'll also want to manage privacy, security, and data settings in your account. I've included this for your guide: Data And Security.

 

If there's anything else that you need help with, feel free to message us here. We're always here to make you covered. 

EnglishTea
Level 1

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

MariaSoledadG,

 

I usually open my QuickBooks Company Files through QuickBook's application.

 

Opening QuickBooks Company Files the way you suggested will take significantly longer which defeats the whole purpose of what I am trying to do which is be more efficient. Also, the folders that I am trying to hide contain *.qbw in their name so they will be picked up in the search results anyways. An example of one of the folders I want to hide is " Company ABC, LLC.qbw.SearchIndex "

 

Thanks,

EnglishTea

 

AileneA
QuickBooks Team

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

Hello, EnglishTea. 

 

If you want to remove/hide a company in QuickBooks Desktop, here's how:

 

  1. Go to the File menu.
  2. Select Close Company.
  3. Click the Edit List button. 
  4. Put a check-mark next to the company file you want to delete. 
  5. Click OK

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll add some articles as your reference in creating a company file without starting from scratch: 

 

 

Let me know if you need further assistance. This way, we can perform additional troubleshooting steps. Have a wonderful day and stay safe!

EnglishTea
Level 1

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

Hi AileneA,

 

Thank you for your well thought out response!

 

Unfortunately, this solution only works if you have a few companies because the picture you showed below only shows companies that were recently opened (up to 4 companies). I have about 50 companies in my QuickBooks and therefore I have to selected the "Open or restore an existing company" button to see all of my companies.

I have uploaded a picture that I found online which looks like what I am working with (I can't screenshot my actual folder because it contains confidential names). In the picture please note that it is those top two "File Folders" that I am trying to hide.

 

Thanks,

EnglishTea

ZackE
Moderator

File Folders in my 'Open a Company' Folder

Thanks for getting back with the Community about this, EnglishTea. I appreciate you performing AileneA's steps and providing an image.


Since you're unable to edit your list to achieve the result you're looking for, I'd recommend getting in touch with our Customer Care team. They'll be able to pull up your account in a secure environment and initiate a screen viewing session where they can conduct further research with you into hiding the two file folders you'd like to hide.
 

They can be reached while using QuickBooks.
 

Here's how:

  1. In your top menu bar, go to Help, then QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  2. Choose Contact Us.
  3. Enter a brief description of the issue in our Ask a question (or tell us what's wrong) field.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. Select We’ll contact you for a callback or Message Us to start an instant messaging session.

 

Be sure to review their support hours so you'll know when agents are available.
 

Please feel more than welcome in sending a reply if there's any questions. Have a lovely day!

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