Reinstall using a Clean Install

It is sometimes necessary to uninstall QuickBooks, rename installation files left behind, and then reinstall QuickBooks. This may be required when a QuickBooks function is damaged or when simply reinstalling QuickBooks does not correct an issue. This process is called a Clean Install or Clean Uninstall.

Note: Be sure to have your QuickBooks download file or your installation CD and installation license available before uninstalling QuickBooks.

1. Uninstall QuickBooks

   
   

   Windows 8, 7 and Vista

   1. On your keyboard, press Windows + E to open the Computer window.
      Note: In Windows 8, click the Computer tab.
   2. Click Uninstall or change a program.
   3. In the list of programs, select QuickBooks and click Uninstall.
   4. Follow the instructions to uninstall QuickBooks.
      Note: If you are using QuickBooks 2007, repeat steps a-d to also uninstall the QuickBooks Product Listing service.
      

   Windows XP

   1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
   2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   3. In the list of programs, select QuickBooks and click Remove.
   4. Follow the instructions to remove QuickBooks.

   Note: If you are using QuickBooks 2007, repeat steps a-d to also uninstall the QuickBooks Product Listing service.
   

   
   
2. Download and run the QuickBooks Clean Install Utility

   1. Download the QuickBooks_Clean_Install_Utility.exe file and save it to your desktop.
   2. Open QuickBooks_Clean_Install_Utility.exe.
   3. Click I Accept on the license agreement.
   4. Select your version of QuickBooks and click Continue to start
   5. Click OK when you see the message "QuickBooks is now ready for a clean install, please install to the default directory."

   Important: If you do not want to run the QuickBooks Clean Install Utility, you can manually rename the QuickBooks installation folders using the following instructions.

   Manually rename the QuickBooks installation folders

   
   

   Use Windows Explorer to locate and rename each of the folder locations listed for your version of Windows.  As a suggestion, add 'old' or 'damaged' to the end of the folder name. This will prevent QuickBooks from recognizing the folder in order to create a new one.

   Windows 8, 7 or Vista

   QuickBooks 2007 and later folders:

   • C:\Program Data\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks(year)    
   • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)

   
   

   Windows XP or 2000

   QuickBooks 2007 and later folders:

   • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Documents and Settings\(current user)\Local Settings\Application Data\Intuit\ QuickBooks (year)
   • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)

   QuickBooks 2006 and earlier folders:

   • C:\Program Files\Intuit

   
   

   If you get the message Error: Access Denied when renaming folders
   
   
   1. Right-click the Windows Taskbar and select Task Manager.
   2. Click the Processes tab.
   3. Click the Image Name column heading to sort processes alphabetically by name.
   4. Select QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, Qbw32.exe in the Image Name column.
   5. Click End Process.
   6. Click Yes to the message, "WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results including loss of data and system instability...."

   
   

   If the Application Data or Program Data folder is not visible:

   
   

   Windows 8

   1. On your keyboard, press Windows + E to open the Computer window.
   2. Click View at the top of the window.
   3. Select Hidden items.

   Windows 7 or Vista

   1. On your keyboard, press Windows + E to open the Computer window.
   2. In the upper left, click the Organize button.
   3. Select Folder and Search Options.
   4. Click the View tab.
   5. Click Show hidden files and folders.
   6. Click OK.

   
   

   Windows XP

   1. Right-click the Start button and choose Explore.
   2. Choose Tools > Folder Options.
   3. Click the View tab, and under Advanced Settings, select the Show hidden files and folders checkbox.
   4. Click OK.
       
3. Reinstall QuickBooks.

If these steps do 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.