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elifox01
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

After hours on the phone with support, two very credible reps, auto update stayed on.  And we do not want updates when we are not present as this is a key production machine.  Your solution worked!! Thank you!

Travis_Qual
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Sad to see that there is no fix for this. We see it in enterprise 2022 in a multi user environment. This sucks because users get locked out of Quickbooks until we complete updates since they do not have admin permissions. This requires server reboots!

EricFlamm
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

While changing the BackgroundEnabled flag to 0 does change the Automatic Updates setting on the Overview tab to OFF, it doesn't change the grayed-out setting on the options page. Also, since even manual updating (from the Update Now tab) has to write to the QBChan.dat file, Read-Only really isn't a useful solution.

JBrow
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Just updated to the 2023 version. Installed on 24 systems and ALL of them have this issue, where we've never had the problem before. The best that support could do was direct me to this thread

MaryLandT
Moderator

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

I appreciate the effort of updating QuickBooks, JBrow. It's part of the troubleshooting solutions to retrieve the No option.

 

It looks like the system is now forcing the download. I'll let you contact our Live Support Team. That way, they can create a case under your company and send it to your Product Team for further investigation.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us.
  3. Click  Contact Us.
  4. Give a brief description of your issue, then Continue.
  5. Sign in to your Intuit account and Continue with my account.
    • If you don't already have an account, make sure to Create a new account.
  6. We'll email you a single-use code. Enter your code and select Continue.
    • If you have more than one account, choose the one you want to use, then Continue.
  7. Choose to chat with us or Have us call you.

 

In case you need tips and related articles in the future, visit our QuickBooks Community help website for reference: QBDT Self-help

 

Moreover, to keep you updated with the latest features and business tips in QuickBooks. You can visit our QuickBooks blog. We're happy to share with you the 7 ways to be productive while working remotely using your QuickBooks software. 

 

Let me know how the contact goes and leave a reply below. I'm always here to help you. Stay safe and take care always!

mcmurrak
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Dear QB staff and Moderators,

 

Stop replying to the case telling us to open a ticket. Do you really think we are all that stupid. If you had actually read any of the case here you would realized that (A) everyone responding is much smarter than you and (B) we have already opened (completely worthless tickets) and (C) QuickBooks support, staff and whoever do not give a crap about solving the issue.

 

You have a template somewhere (as is obvious from your post below), that you just copy/paste into ALL posts these days telling us to open a ticket. We all do/have, and NOTHING IS EVER FIXED. EVER.

 

So I'll make it plain and simple for you to understand:

 

THE AUTOMATIC UPDATES OPTION NEED TO BE ALLOWED TO BE DISABLED! PERIOD! FIX THE PROBLEM!

 

Is that simple enough for your alleged brains to comprehend? I doubt it very much. So please, do not reply again unless you are stating the problem is fixed. Until then, JUST SHUT IT!

JBrow
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

I already have an open case. It was the tech on the phone that directed me to this thread because she said "many people" are having this problem and they don't know why.

JBrow
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

As others have said in this thread, changing the first "BackgroundEnabled=1" line in the QBUpdate.dat file to "BackgroundEnabled=0" does seem to disable Automatic Updates. The update overview screen says "Automatic Update is OFF" after making this change, but in the Options, it's still greyed out and appears as if "Yes" is selected.

 

I've written a script to do this for me on all systems where I've installed this, and wanted to share it.
You'll need:
- Python3 installed
- A text file named "computerlist.txt" in the same file as the python script with each computer name on a separate line

- To run the script with an account that has the necessary permissions (e.g., Domain Admin) on all computers on the list

 

It will also write a log file, so you know what it did or didn't do on each system.

Note that this is written for the 2023 version of QB Enterprise. If you're running a different version, you'll have to update the datfile_location in line 14.

 

From other things I've seen here, it looks like it's possible that things can trigger the system to turn Automatic Updates back on, so my plan is to run this as a scheduled task a few times a day.

 

IMPORTANT:

This forum won't allow me to upload a python file, nor will it let me just change the extension because it validates the file type, so here's the code:

Note that python is a whitespace sensitive language, so the formatting is important. My test of copying and pasting the text below seems to be formatted correctly when pasting.

 

import datetime
import shutil

nowstamp = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d%H%M%S')
logfile = open(".\\logs\\qb_noautofix_log_" + nowstamp + ".txt", "w")
computerlist = open("computerlist.txt", "r")
for computer in computerlist:
    log_msg = ""
    computer = computer.strip()
    print(computer)
    try:
        nowstamp = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d%H%M%S')
        print(nowstamp)
        datfile_location = f"\\\\{computer}\\c$\\ProgramData\\Intuit\\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 23.0\\Components\\QBUpdate\\"
        datfile_name = "Qbchan"
        datfile_extension = ".dat"
        datfile = open(datfile_location + datfile_name + datfile_extension, "r+")
    except:
        log_msg = "Could not open dat file"
        break
    line_counter = 0
    data = datfile.readlines()
    last_line = len(data)
    while line_counter < last_line:
        line = data[line_counter]
        if "BackgroundEnabled" in line:
            split_line = line.split("=")
            value = split_line[1].strip()
            if value == "1":
                try:
                    shutil.copy(datfile_location + datfile_name + datfile_extension, datfile_location + datfile_name + nowstamp + datfile_extension)
                except:
                    log_msg = "Could not create backup copy"
                    break
                data[line_counter] = "BackgroundEnabled=0\n"
                try:
                    datfile.seek(0)
                    datfile.writelines(data)
                    log_msg = "File updated successfully"
                    break
                except:
                    log_msg = "Could not update file"
                    break
            elif value == "0":
                log_msg = "No change needed"
                break
        line_counter += 1
    datfile.close()
    tab_padding = "\t"
    if len(computer) < 8:
        tab_padding += "\t"
    log_write = f"{computer}{tab_padding}{nowstamp}\t{log_msg}\n"
    logfile.writelines(log_write)
computerlist.close()
logfile.close()
Q_Bugs_Many
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Please post the PowerShell. Others have posted python etc. PowerShell and instructions to run it multiple times in a day maybe.

 

Did this stop your users from getting the Admin Permission window?

 

Thanks.

Q_Bugs_Many
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

TJames95 - ^^^

plutothegoldrush
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

I am not TJames95 nor have I seen that Powershell Script. A lot of assumptions have been in this, please use at your own risk. However, this should work for most versions of QB provided the ProgramData path is correct. This script would need to be copied/pasted saved as a .ps1 file and then set to run on a schedule with Task Scheduler in Windows, very easy to google how to do that.

 

ForEach ($file in (Get-ChildItem -Path C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks*\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat))
{
$filecontent = Get-Content -Path "$file"
$filecontent[3] = $filecontent[3] -replace 'BackgroundEnabled=1','BackgroundEnabled=0'
Set-Content -Path $file.PSpath -Value $filecontent
}

 

Essentially for each Qbchan.dat file in the path, modify line 3 (which is line 4 as PS starts counting at 0) from BackgroundEnabled=1 to BackgroundEnabled=0. This should be pretty safe as we are only looking at line 4, and specifically for "BackgroundEnabled=1" if any other value was there the file would not be modified. Powershell is saving the file again so the modified date will change, but the content inside would remain the same.

 

If the above doesn't work you can clearly modify the script to point to specific folder path/s of your choosing. Something like this would be more basic:

 

$file="C:\your\file\path\here"
$filecontent = Get-Content -Path $file
$filecontent[3] = $filecontent[3] -replace 'BackgroundEnabled=1','BackgroundEnabled=0'
Set-Content -Path $file -Value $filecontent

MeadowsHyd
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

We have downloaded and installed QBES v23 r1_4 and installed as admin and the auto update option is greyed out. We have updated fully to v23 r3_182 and it remains greyed out. However, when we update to r3_182, we get unrecoverable errors upon software close which is corrupting our company file. I HAVE to have a way to stop auto updates to hold the version to r1_4 until Intuit figures this out.  And yes, it is still greyed out on all four sample files, so it is NOT a file issue.... It's a software issue. Please fix this ASAP! 

theonlybaldone
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

It is ridiculous that this hasn't been fixed yet.

 

Go to HELP --> Send Feedback Online --> Bug Report 

 

Report this issue and maybe if enough of us report it they will fix it.  Calling or chatting with general support will get you nowhere.

xbsa
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

can u update the things/changes you made to change the Automatic updates to *no* or to remove grey-out

Rubielyn_J
QuickBooks Team

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

This isn't the experience we want to have with QuickBooks Desktop update, @xbsa.

 

I understand the relevance of having the option to remove the grayed out for Automatic Update. To further check this, it would be best to contact our support team directly. They have the tools to check your account in a safe environment, and they can help find the root cause of your issue and provide a fix.

 

Here's how to reach them:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks.
  2. Proceed to Help, then click QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us.
  3. Choose Contact Us.
  4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Continue.
  5. Sign in to your Intuit account and select Continue and then Continue with my account.
  6. Click to Chat with us or Have us call you.

 

I've added these article to keep your QuickBooks up-to-date so you have the latest features and product improvements: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

 

Keep me posted if you have other questions about QuickBooks Desktop update. I'm always here to help. Stay safe always.

theonlybaldone
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Rubielyn_J, have you even read through this thread?  This is a BUG that EVERYONE is asking get fixed.  We've all chatted with support and they are USELESS because this is not a company file issue.  This is an APPLICATION issue!  

 

BUG!!  BUG!! BUG!!

 

FIX IT!!!!

Meeeeeeeeeee
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Deleted post to correct elsewhere..

 

Meeeeeeeeeee
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Deleted post to correct elsewhere..

Meeeeeeeeeee
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

My version no longer auto updates. It now asks me a in the past. Not really sure what I did. I can say that I like to open QB after unplugging the internet to the desktop, it doesn't like this, sometimes gives you warnings, and options, just click skip, or ignore, QB WILL proceed to open, I then reconnect the internet. Upon closing QB, whether you are performing a backup or not, this is where the QBUpdate command is initiated in the task manager. As soon as the QB has closed, and or backed up, I open the task manager and "Shut Down" the update task. The payroll still is able to update.

 

Screenshots, got it figured out now....

Capture.JPGCapture1.JPGCapture2.JPGCapture3.JPG

disappointedfordecades
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Here for the same reason and can't say I am surprised to see this inept company doing nothing to assist those of us who have handsomely padded their coffers (25 years in my case).  They rank right next to Comcast for service (though Comcast has them beat on functionality and reliability) and have never helped me on the few times I have had to contact them.  Imagine how much worse this might get now that they won't sell you the software and will only offer a subscription service??  If (or more likely when) your information gets corrupted or locked away, you should have no confidence the people in this company will be there to effectively help you.  I will go back to hand written accounting for my veterinary practice before I put all of my data on their servers.

CMeGo
Level 3

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

The Whole point is we DO NOT want the update, yet to " to turn off" the Autoupdate, we have to update? How about if Quickbooks stops being a Bully and Predatory software and lets the users decide what they want. Um, because they paid for the software?

CMeGo
Level 3

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

Well said, I am so tired of worthless help form QB support. They are becoming bullies. When I purchase a product, I want to be able to use that product as I see fit, not how Qb wants me to by forcing updates or anything else on me.

994510-2
Level 1

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

My old version (that worked perfectly) just got disabled (yes, they admitted it) so they could force me to purchase an annual subscription (that used to be called extortion) - had no choice, at tax time. From reading this thread, I would concur that this is not a bug, but a feature.  The objective is to get everyone to store the company files online, for obvious (by now) reasons.  I have disabled all quickbooks executables from services.msc, scoured Task Scheduler (no entries), and have blocked all QB apps at the router. Seeking replacement product. Thanks to all who took the time to document your experiences.

TJames95
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

#CLICKING THE "OPTIONS" TAB UNDER UPDATE QUICKBOOKS DESKTOP TOGGLES VALUE BACK TO OFF
#UPDATES CAN BE DONE MANUALLY JUST DO NOT CLICK OPTION TAB
#BEST TO HAVE THIS RUN AS SCHEDULED TASK
#SAVE THE PS1 FILE SOMEWHERE (LOCALLY) HAVE TASK SCHEDULER EXECUTE THE SCRIPT X AMOUNT OF TIMES PER WHATEVER

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force

#Feel free to add the Quickbooks Edition paths you want

#Standard folder paths where pending Premier Accountant Edition Updates are stored.
$QBP18 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2018\Components\DownloadQB28\*"
$QBP19 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2019\Components\DownloadQB29\*"
$QBP20 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2020\Components\DownloadQB30\*"
$QBP21 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2021\Components\DownloadQB31\*"
$QBP22 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2022\Components\DownloadQB32\*"
$QBP23 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2023\Components\DownloadQB33\*"


#Standard folder paths where pending Enterprise Edition Updates are stored.
$QBE18 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 18.0\Components\DownloadQB28\*"
$QBE19 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 19.0\Components\DownloadQB29\*"
$QBE20 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 20.0\Components\DownloadQB30\*"
$QBE21 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 21.0\Components\DownloadQB31\*"
$QBE22 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 22.0\Components\DownloadQB32\*"
$QBE23 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 23.0\Components\DownloadQB33\*"


#Update channel file for Premier versions
$datQBP18 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2018\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"
$datQBP19 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2019\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"
$datQBP20 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2020\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"
$datQBP21 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2021\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"
$datQBP22 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2022\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"
$datQBP23 = "C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2023\Components\QBUpdate\Qbchan.dat"


# Variables for "For Loops"
$QBFolderUpdates = $QBP22, $QBP21, $QBP18, $QBP19, $QBP20, $QBE21, $QBE18, $QBE19, $QBE20, $QBE22 , $QBE23
$QBDatFiles = $datQBP18, $datQBP19, $datQBP20, $datQBP21, $datQBP22 , $datQBP23

#Clears the Components\DownloadQBXX within %PROGRAMDATA% folder for selected Intuit products
    foreach ($i in $QBFolderUpdates)
        {
            if ((Test-path $i) -eq $true)
            {
            
#Removes folder contents by force
             Remove-Item -Path $i -Recurse -Force
 
            
            }
        }

#Kills QB update service
taskkill /f /im qbupdate.exe

#Modifies Line 4 of QBchan file that toggles updates on and off.
#On line 4 toggling the value BackgroundEnabled=0 turns them off.
#1 = ON, 0 = OFF

#DONOT MODIFY SPACING
foreach ($r in $QBDatFiles) {

((Get-Content -path $r -Raw) -replace 'NotifyClass=QIHndlr.Handler
BackgroundEnabled=1',
'NotifyClass=QIHndlr.Handler
BackgroundEnabled=0') | Set-Content -Path $r

}







theonlybaldone
Level 2

Quickbooks Desktop Automatic Update "No" Option Greyed Out

TJames95, you are out of touch!!!  There is not an option to toggle the value to off.  It is greyed out.  That has been the bug that Intuit isn't addressing/fixing.

 

Ughh... no one listens.. no one gives a crap!

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