Updated QB2020 Desktop Professional and it won't restart and can't find QBWUSER.INI

rjmccann · ‎February 14, 2023

I updated QB2020 Desktop Professional, and in the process it showed that two .dll files couldn't be registered. When I tried to restart QB, it wouldn't start at all. I'm running QB in Windows 7 in a standard account and I ran the update as an Administrator. I switched over the Administrator account and had the same problem starting QB after the initial update. I reran the Update utility from there and it said the program is up to date.

I followed the instructions listed here: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/reinstall-products/quickbooks-desktop...

I downloaded the QB Tools and ran Quick Fix My Program, but the script said that it couldn't find a list of core files in the directory. However it did show the process as completed. QB still didn't start. I tried to run the QB Program Diagnotic Tool but it claimed (incorrectly) that there wasn't an internet connection, so it stalled.

I looked for the QBWUSER.INI file to rename it as suggested but I couldn't find it. (Hidden files are revealed.)

Can I create a QBWUSER.INI file? How would I do that? Is that the source of my problem?

Or do I need to reinstall QB and run the update again on the Admin side? (I hate how Intuit hasn't perfected the update process on standard user accounts so as to minimize hacking opportunities, instead assuming that users are admin accounts with much higher risks.)

MirriamM · ‎February 14, 2023

Hello there, @rjmccann. Thanks for reaching out and performing some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue when finding QBWUSER.INI file.

I have additional steps that you can perform to fix the issue. But before doing so, I recommend creating a backup copy of your data to save what is currently in your company file.

Then, log in as an admin on your computer and let's perform a clean install. To do this, have your license and product number handy. To get this information, press the F2 key while QuickBooks is open.

Then, follow these steps to uninstall QuickBooks.

From the Windows Start menu, search for Control Panel and click on it to open.
Select Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program, then choose the version of QuickBooks you're having problems with from the list of installed programs.
Click on Uninstall/Change and follow the onscreen instructions.

Now, download the version of QuickBooks from our site and install it. For more detailed steps, refer to this article: Clean install QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, locate the file again and see how it works.

Let me know if there is anything else that I can help you with QuickBooks Desktop. I'm always ready to help. Have a wonderful day!

rjmccann · ‎February 14, 2023

I had been hoping to avoid reinstalling the program but if that's the only solution, that's what I'll do. (I backed up before I ran the update. Since I can't open the program I can't run another back up.)

Is the license number listed in my QB online account the one I need to reinstall. How do I get my product key since I can't open QB to push the F2 key and get it that way?

JessT · ‎February 14, 2023

Hi rjmccann,

Not on the QB Online account but in the in the Customer Account Maintenance Portal (CAMPs). It's where you can find the License and Product numbers of your QuickBooks Desktop subscription.

Sign in to camps.intuit.com. Or learn more about signing in.
Find your app or subscription in the Products & Services list.
Select Details.

You'll be locked from registering QuickBooks after a few attempts of entering incorrect numbers. If this happens, you'll want to contact our QB Desktop Support, so they guide you to activate QuickBooks using a validation code.

Feel free go back to to this thread if you have other questions in mind.

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Updated QB2020 Desktop Professional and it won't restart and can't find QBWUSER.INI