System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2021

If you're using Windows 8.1, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 8.1 after Jan 10, 2023. For your data’s security, we recommend upgrading your operating system to a supported version before installing QuickBooks.

Check out  QuickBooks Desktop no longer supports Windows 8.1 to learn more.

• Windows 10, all editions including 64-bit, natively installed
• Windows 8.1, all editions including 64-bit, natively installed
• Windows Server 2019, Standard and Essentials
• Windows Server 2016, Standard and Essentials
• Windows Server 2012 R2, Standard and Essentials
• Windows Server 2012, Standard and Essentials

Note: QuickBooks requires you to use Windows natively and not through an emulator or virtual environment.

QuickBooks Desktop 2021 requires internet access and Internet Explorer 11 (32-bit).

Other hardware devices
If you're using the Warehouse Manager in QuickBooks Desktop mobile, here's the supported devices you can use:

• Zebra TC20/TC25/TC51 Mobile Computer is recommended (Android 4.4 & above)
• Zebra MC40 Mobile Computer (Android 4.4 & above)

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise 21.0 also supports:

• Honeywell Voyager 1602g Pocket Barcode Scanner
• Socket Mobile CHS 7CI
• Symbol CS3070

QuickBooks integrates with hundreds of other apps. Here’s a list of the most common apps you can use. You can also find more at the Intuit App Store.

Note: Additional RAM can enhance the use of these features.

• Microsoft Office:
  • Office 2019.
  • Office 2016 (including Outlook 2016) both on 32 and 64-bit.
  • Office 2013 and 365 (including Outlook 2013) both on 32 and 64-bit.
    Note: Microsoft 365 is only supported when it's locally installed, not the web version.
  • Email estimates, invoices, and other forms with Microsoft Outlook 2016-2019, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook.com, other SMTP-supporting email clients.
  • Preparing letters requires Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit).
  • Exporting reports requires Microsoft Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit).
  • Contact Synchronization with Microsoft Outlook requires Outlook 2019  (32-bit), 2016, or 2013.
  • Syncing with Outlook requires QuickBooks Contact Sync for Outlook. Note: Contact Sync doesn’t work with the Microsoft Business Contact Manager Outlook plug-in, so syncing could cause duplicate records.

• TurboTax 2020, 2019, and 2018 (Personal and Business).
• Lacerte 2020, 2019, and 2018.
• Pro-Series tax years 2020, 2019, and 2018.
• Quicken 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
• QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2016.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader: Business Planner, Payroll, and viewing forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 or later.
• Payroll and other online features and services require Internet access with at least a 56 Kbps connection speed (1 Mbps recommended). DSL or cable modem is recommended.
• Internet Explorer 11.

We tested QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier 2021, and Enterprise 21.0 with the following antimalware and antivirus programs.

You may need to adjust some settings in these programs to get the best QuickBooks performance.

Antivirus software

• McAfee
• Avast
• Bitdefender
• Norton
• Kaspersky
• Trend Micro Security
• Webroot
• ESET
• Panda Dome
• Sophos
• Avira
• Symantec
• F-Secure

Antimalware software

• Bitdefender
• AVG
• Malwarebytes
• Spybot
• Emsisoft
• McAfee
• Avast
• Webroot
• ZoneAlarm
• Kaspersky
• F-Secure

Note: QuickBooks will work with systems running Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) but it’s not recommended because it may cause QuickBooks to operate slowly.

QuickBooks Desktop 2021 requires internet security protocol TLS 1.2 for the connected services to work smoothly.