Learn how to clean install or clean uninstall QuickBooks for Mac.
If reinstalling your QuickBooks doesn't fix the issue, you can do a clean install. This removes QuickBooks with the installation files that were left behind to reinstall the program from a clean slate.
Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks Mac Desktop
Before you uninstall QuickBooks Desktop, have your QuickBooks Desktop download file (or installation CD) and license numbers ready.
- Close QuickBooks.
- Go to the Finder menu, then select Applications.
- Drag the QuickBooks icon to the Trash.
Step 2: Remove QuickBooks PLIST files
| Important: You need to remove both PLIST* files from the User and System folder. Once removed, all preferences will revert back to its default settings. This can cause your QuickBooks to be unregistered. |
*Preference files that store registration and any preferences set within QuickBooks, shows .plist as file extension.
User PLIST
- Go to the Finder menu.
- Hold down the Option key, then select Library.
- Open the Preferences folder.
- Find PLIST files that contains com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX, then move them to the Trash.
Note: XX is the QuickBooks version you’re using.
- Empty the trash.
System PLIST
- From a new Finder window, open the Macintosh HD.
- Go to Library, then Preferences folder.
- Find PLIST files that contains com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX, then move them to the Trash.
Note: XX is the QuickBooks version you’re using.
Tip: If you don't see the Macintosh HD icon in Finder,- Go to Finder, select Preferences then General Tab.
- Select Hard disks is checkmarked.
- Empty the trash.