Transferring Quickbooks to another computer

Legacy KB ID: 4390

Question

What must I do to successfully transfer my QuickBooks and company file data from one computer to another computer?

Answer

Unless you are using Premier, Enterprise or Hosted editions, you have a one-user license that entitles you to use QuickBooks only on one PC at a time.  You will need to uninstall QuickBooks from the old PC and install on the second PC.

When you install QuickBooks onto a PC you are given 5 uses without Activation.  You can use these ‘free’ uses to ensure your company file information is correct on the new PC before you uninstall Quickbooks from the old PC.

Note:  QuickBooks is only compatible with Microsoft Windows operating system.  For other operating systems you may be able to use QuickBooks Hosted Premium.  See https://online.reckon.com.au/ for more details.

 

Detailed steps for transferring QuickBooks to a new PC.

  1. Ensure your company file is free of errors and superfluous items:
    1. Clear all “waiting to print” items”:

                                          i.    File > Print Forms of File > Select Forms to Email

                                         ii.    Select the first category (Remittance Advices...)

                                        iii.    Change the start date to the start date of the file

                                       iv.    Select All items to print > OK

                                        v.    Select a virtual printer like a PDF writer or Microsoft XPS Document Writer > Print

                                       vi.    Save the file to your Desktop > Save

                                      vii.    Delete the file from your desktop;

                                     viii.    Repeat these steps for all Print Forms categories.

Note:  ensure that all forms requiring printed are printed first.

b.    Clear all ‘waiting to email” items by following the steps in (a) above.

To ensure that emails are not sent, turn your email client Offline or disconnect your computer from the internet.

1.    To turn Microsoft Outlook offline: File > Work Offline;

2.    Emails will accumulate in your Outbox.  Delete them;

3.    Set Outlook Online:  File > clear tick for work Offline.

    1. Rebuild your datafile:  see KB336 for full details: https://kb.reckon.com.au/search.asp?cate=0&search=336&type=3&mode=search 
    2. Read the section “Prepare your company file for upgrade” section in the Installation and Upgrade Guide (also available at: https://www.quicken.com.au/Support/UpgradeNotes/default.aspx) in respect to Accountant’s Copy, Online Banking and trial reports.
    3. Make no longer used items like - Chart of Accounts, Customers, Suppliers, Employees, Items – inactive.

2.    Create a Portable Company File onto a removable media like USB stick, external hard drive, CD or DVD.

a.    File > Save Copy or Backup > Portable Company File >

b.    Name it and save to the Desktop > Save

    1. Use Windows commands to copy the Portable Company File to your external media
  1. Install QuickBooks onto your new PC
  2. Open the Sample File but do not Activate at this stage.  Check that QuickBooks is functioning properly.

5.    Restore your company file to the new PC:

a.    Copy the Portable Company File from your external media to the Desktop of your new PC;

b.    File > Open or Restore a Company > Restore a portable file (.QBM) > select the file from the Desktop > choose a destination location and a name for the file;

    1. Check that the file is the same as on the old PC and operates properly;
  1. Uninstall QuickBooks from the old PC

7.    Activate QuickBooks on the new PC:

a.    With your company file open; File > Activate QuickBooks.  QuickBooks will activate across the internet.

    1. If Internet Activation fails, activate by phone. Press Ctrl+F12 and call Customer Service on 1300 784253

 

You are now ready to use your company file on your laptop.

 

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