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Update (convert) your company file to a newer QuickBooks version

After installing a new version of QuickBooks, you need to update your company data file by opening it in the new version. This process updates company files from any older version of QuickBooks to the newer one.

About updating your data file

After updating your data file, it will not open in previous versions of QuickBooks.

QuickBooks automatically backs up your data file before updating it, in case you need to revert to the older version. You can always restore the backup to your old version of QuickBooks if necessary. Or, if you need to restart the update, you can restore the backup to your new version of QuickBooks.

Do not update over a network.

Be sure the company data file is stored on the same computer you are using to update it. You might need to copy the file from another computer, and then copy it back after you finish updating it.

Only the Admin user can update the file.

If you never created other users and roles in QuickBooks, you are automatically the Admin user. If you see the message, "The company file needs to be updated. Please ask your QuickBooks administrator to update the file," you are not signed in to your data file as the Admin user.

Enterprise data files only work in Enterprise editions of QuickBooks.

You cannot convert QuickBooks Enterprise data to QuickBooks Simple Start, Pro, or Premier. You can covert a Simple Start, Pro or Premier file to QuickBooks Enterprise, but the company file will not open in Simple Start, Pro or Premier after you convert it.

Allow enough time to update your file.

Updating your company data file can take a considerable amount of time, depending upon the size of the file. You may want to start at then of the day and let it run overnight, or you may want to start on Friday afternoon and let it run over the weekend.

Windows messages that QuickBooks is not responding are normal and are to be ignored. If you abort the update before it is finished, your data file will be corrupted and you will have to restore the backup you made at the beginning of the update.

Updating your file

Prepare your file for updating.

Create a Portable Copy File (PCF) and then restore from the PCF to a new file name.
1. You will not use the original file or the PCF keep them as backups to the newly restored file.
2. The PCF can resolve structural damage in your data file that you cannot see, but can manifest itself after your update.
Rename your company data file in Windows. (If you did Step 1, skip Step 2.)
1. Renaming eliminates any special characters in the filename.
2. If you cannot rename your file, you may have an issue in Windows.
Resort your six major lists: Customers, Vendors, Employees, Other Names, Accounts and Items.
1. To minimize list issues during the update.
Reset your administrative user's name, password and password hint.
1. If you cannot change your admin password, you may have user list damage that will prevent your update.
Rebuild your data file followed by the Verify Data utility.
1. Transaction damage can cause serious issues during and after your update.
Read the Qbwin.log file created by Rebuild and Verify.
1. Even though Rebuild and Verify finish normally, the Qbwin.log file could have error messages that you need to fix before updating your data.

Note: If you use Add-on financial features such as Loan Manager, Business Planner, Cash Flow Projector, etc. use Backup and Restore to convert the Company file to new version of QuickBooks.

Update your company data file.

Important: For best results,refer to update QuickBooks to the latest release.

Open the new version of QuickBooks.
Choose File > Open or Restore Company.
Click Open a company file (or Restore a backup copy) and then click Next.
Browse to your data file, select it, and click Open.
If QuickBooks displays the Move Company File window, read and follow the instructions shown there.
Read the information in the Update Company File for New Version window, click (check) the box to show you understand, and click Update Now.
Follow the instructions to back up your company file, and make a note of where you put it, in case you need to refer to it later.
When the message "You are about to open a company file using a newer version of QuickBooks...Do you want to continue?" appears, click Yes.
(Recommended) After the company file is updated:
- Store the backup you created in step 7 in a safe place until you know you will not need it again.
- If you copied the data file from another computer to update it, copy it back again.
- If you installed QuickBooks 2007 or later, the company file from your earlier version of QuickBooks may have been moved to a new folder:
  - Windows 8, 7, and Vista: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files.
  - Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files.

More Information:

If you cannot find your data file in its original location, and if it is not in the specified folder, search your hard drive for *.qbw files and try to find it that way. Be sure to include hidden files and folders in your search criteria.

If you cannot locate your Add-on files see Restore other files not included with a restored company file backup

If this solution does not resolve the issue, you can read discussions and post messages and questions relating to your issue on the Intuit QuickBooks Community site for free, or you can contact a technical support agent for additional guidance. Fees may apply.