How to tell QB data files version without opening it

Hello there, TCRick.

You can find and open the file folder that holds your QuickBooks company files. This is usually your QuickBooks folder. It indicates the version (year) and you can manually check each file from there. It looks something like these locations:

• C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\ProgramFiles\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• 64-bit version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)

For more details on how to install and look into your backup files, check out these articles: 

• Install QuickBooks Desktop
• Restore a backup of your company file

Keep me posted on how this works. I'm just around the corner to help. Take care!

Catherine,

Thanks so much for a prompt response.

Unfortunately, we have all QB data files in one folder.  They're on a server, not the individual PCs, so they are all located in the same folder (F:\QBDATA).  So, I don't think your suggestion will help in my case.

I think the QuickBooks File Manager might do the trick for me.  However, I've run it 5 times on my server, using the local drive (not a mapped drive) and every time I try to add the folder with the QB data files, it works for a while, then crashes (not responding).  I'm guessing I have more files than it can handle.

Thanks for coming back. Let's perform some troubleshooting steps to get Quickbooks Desktop working, TCRick.

I appreciate you for using the QuickBooks File Manager and adding the folder with the QuickBooks data files. This helps us better isolate of what's causing the software to crash after installing the files. Before performing any solutions, let's make sure we create a backup of your company file and QuickBooks is updated. There are a few possible reasons why QuickBooks Desktop is crashing, among these are: 

• Your company name may be too long
• You may have a damaged or missing QBWUSER.INI file
• You may have corruption on your hard drive
• Your program files or QuickBooks Desktop installation may be damaged
• You may have a damaged Windows operating system

To resolve this one. let' install the QuickBooks Tool Hub to fix any damaged components on your software. Just follow the steps and details in the Solutions for when QuickBooks has stopped working article. Just go to Solution 1: Run Quick Fix my Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub section. Then, proceed to the next solution to complete the process.

We can also repair QuickBooks Desktop for Windows to fix common errors right away. Feel free to visit our Install, upgrade, and register page for more insights about installing and activating your Intuit products. 

If the same thing happens, I'd suggest contacting our Technical Support Team. They'll pull up your account in a secure environment and investigate what's causing this issue. Here's how to reach them:

1. Click the Help icon on the top menu. 
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help. 
3. Tap Contact us.
4. Select Search for something else and enter your concern in the Tell us more about your question: field. 
5. Tap Search. 
6. Choose Start a Message or Get Phone Number to connect with our support. 

I'll be right here to continue helping if you have any other concerns or questions about QuickBooks. Assistance is just a post away. Take care always.

Thanks for the troubleshooting steps, but QB Desktop is working fine.

QB File Manager is crashing.  I've tried 2019 and 2020.  They both work for a few minutes when I add the folder, then stop responding.

Hello @TCRick,

You can download and run the rebuild utility in the tools hub so the file manager won't crash again when using it. Let me show you how.

1. Download and open the QuickBooks Tool Hub file.
2. Select Company File Issues.
3. Click Run QuickBooks File Doctor.

In addition, here's an article you can read to learn more about the utility tool: Fix company file and network issues with QuickBooks File Doctor.

Lastly, I've also included this helpful article for the troubleshooting steps you can follow in case you receive an error message while using QuickBooks in a network server: How to fix Error 6000,-83?

You can always leave a comment below if you have any other questions. I'll be here to lead a hand. Stay safe!

JonpriL,

I appreciate the assistance, but I'm confused.

If I run QB File Doctor from the QB Tool Hub, it prompts me to select a QB company file.

I chose a company in the folder that contains all my QB data files and ran through the process.

I ran QB File Manager 2020 after that and it crashed, again.

I don't see a link between the File Manager and running the File Doctor.

Thanks,

Rick

Hey there, TCRick. 

Thanks for the post. I'm happy to assist you this afternoon. I'm curious, were you able to perform the Restore a backup of your company files provided to you earlier by my colleague? I ask because these steps will help to restore your accounting data if you experience any crashing like you are with the File Manager tool. Below, I'm including the steps to restore your backup file: 

When you restore, QuickBooks uses the backup company file (.qbb) to create a new company file (.qbw).

Important: If your backup company file is on an external device like a USB or a hosting service like Box, you'll need to move it to your local hard drive first. Then follow the steps.

1. In QuickBooks, go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a backup copy and then Next.
3. Select Local Backup and then Next.
4. Browse your computer for your backup company file. It should look like this: [Your company name].qbb.
5. Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file. Then select Open.
   Note: If you open the backup in the same folder as your existing company file, you may overwrite your data.

   To avoid overwriting anything, you can rename your existing company file or the backup so the names are unique. Or you can save the backup in a completely separate folder.

6. When you're ready, select Save. If you see any messages about possibly overwriting your data, select the option that best fits your needs. Don't overwrite anything unless you know you want to.

Now you have a new company file you can work from.

If you run into problems restoring your backup file, here's how to fix them.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post below. Thank you for your time and have a nice afternoon.

Do you guys ever answer the question asked or just share fixes to problems I'm not having.

I don't need to backup my files (that is done on a schedule).  

I don't need to restore my files.

I need File Manager to actually work.  How do I make that happen?

I can help you with resolving the error you have with your  QuickBooks File Manager, @TCRick.

The troubleshooting steps that we're provided by my colleague above can help in identifying the error you have with your QuickBooks File Manager, and help you in resolving it. 

In case, you're still encountering an error after trying those steps, I suggest reaching out to our Customer Support. They have the tools to check your account in a secure environment and help you resolve it. You can follow the steps below on how to reach them:

1. From your QuickBooks Desktop account, click the Help menu at the top.  
2. Click the QuickBooks Desktop help 
3. Provide some information about this concern on the search box.
4. Click the Contact Us link at the bottom of the window. 
5. You'll now be provided a few support options.  
6. Select Get a call to arrange a callback from a support agent. Or Start a chat to chat with them directly.  

Here's the contact the QuickBooks Desktop Customer Support Team article for more information.

I'm always here if you need more help with your account. Let me know in the Reply section below. Take care!

TCRick - I feel your pain!

NONE of the replies to your post(s), or ANY F******* PART of the replies, was in ANY WAY an intelligent, appropriate response to the questions you asked, or would EVER, in ANY WAY, even BEGIN to provide resolution to the problem you were having.

QuickBooks "Support" (and Intuit in general) have got to be the most unintelligent, sorriest excuse of product support known to humankind.  It is extremely frustrating, and absolutely PATHETIC.

I have spent COUNTLESS hours on the phone with their "support" team, trying to resolve a problem that they still have been TOTALLY UNABLE to resolve.  I'll spare you the details - and myself from any asinine replies, by Intuit, to WASTE any more of my PRECIOUS time, F****** with some idiots who don't know their A** from a hole in the ground.

Just know that there is at least ONE other intelligent person, on earth, who understands your frustration and shares the INTELLIGENT belief that NONE of their responses are in ANY WAY resolution to your problem.

I'm sorry we have to share this earth with people as incompetent as those who work at Intuit.

@bubbajonez 

Any specific concern?

Hiya,

Can I see the exact version from looking at company file saved (its not on PC I was sent it by someone and want to open with correct version)?

Its a 2006 and I want to download the company file. I tried on a separate PC but it said it wasn't the latest release.

Thanks

@catnonie 

Any specific goal? Do you only need to restore the file in your own QBD 2006 program or upgrade it to a certain year version? 

Yes I am trying to upgrade to Premier Desktop 2021?  

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

You need to try upgrading the data file on QBD 2011, 2015, and 2019 incrementally. Contact us in private and we may share the trial codes.

I'm here to help you upgrade to QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2021, catnonie.

As an insight, upgrading your company file from the 2006 version to QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2021 is a big leap. The QuickBooks program has a 3-year life cycle. We can also follow the recommendation of Fiat Lux - ASIA in upgrading your software.

Then, restore the file in between. You need to find and install the trial license of QuickBooks 2018/2019 before converting the file(s) to QBD 2021. You can refer to this article's Step 3 section for the step-by-step guide: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop. We can also move or reinstall QuickBooks Desktop to another computer. If you need to move your company files to another folder on your computer, on and off your network, or to another computer, check out the Move your company files to another computer article.

If you need further assistance about this one, I'd suggest contacting our QuickBooksSupport Team. They'll pull up your account in a secure environment and help you with this one. You may send a message via chat, call us at a time convenient to you, or we’ll get in touch with you instead. To ensure we address your concern, our representatives are available from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays and 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturdays, PST. See our support hours and types for more details about this one. Here's how: 

1. Click the Help icon on the top menu.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Tap Contact us.
4. Select Search for something else and enter your concern in the Tell us more about your question: field.
5. Tap Search.
6. Choose Start a Message or Get Phone Number to connect with our support.

Feel free to visit our Import your data page for more insights about importing your data into your software. 

I want to make sure everything is taken care of for you, please let me know how it goes or if you have any other issues or concerns. Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you. Take care always.