Create or re-create the qbregistration.dat file

If the qbregistration.dat file is not created, created incorrectly, or becomes corrupted, you can create it yourself manually.

Note: following these steps will not effect the data in your Company File.

For the steps below, you will need your license and product numbers.

To create the qbregistration.dat file:

1. Browse to the QuickBooks folder where qbregistration.dat should be located. The
   folder location depends on your version of Windows:
   Note: If you do not see the folders listed, you need enable Windows to show hidden folders:

   
   

   • Windows 8
     1. On your keyboard, press Windows + E to open the Computer window.
     2. Click the View at the top of the window.
     3. Select Hidden Files if not already selected.
   • Windows 7 or Vista
     1. Right-click the Windows Start button and choose Explore.
     2. Click Organize and select Folder and Search Options.
     3. Click the View tab and select the Show hidden files and folders option.
     4. Click OK.
   • Windows XP
     1. Right-click the Windows Start button and choose Explore.
     2. Choose Tools > Folder Options.
     3. Click the View tab.
     4. In the Advanced Settings section, select Show hidden files and folders.
     5. Click OK.
   • Windows 8, 7 or Vista: C:\ProgramData\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
   • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
2. If qbregistration.dat already exists, rename it qbregistration.old.
3. On your keyboard, press Windows + R to open the Run window. Enter notepad in the Open field and then click OK.
4. Important: The text in bold blue will need to be replaced with the information provided in step 6. The bold blue text will appear as regular text in Notepad. Copy the following text into Notepad.

xx.x">
version">

YES
000-000
0000-0000-0000-000
000073adbf3f

6. After pasting the text into Notepad, replace the bold blue items accordingly:

xx.x

• Replace with 23.0 if you have QuickBooks 2013
• Replace with 22.0 if you have QuickBooks 2012
• Replace with 21.0 if you have QuickBooks 2011.
• Replace with 20.0 if you have QuickBooks 2010.
• Replace with 19.0 if you have QuickBooks 2009.
• Replace with 18.0 if you have QuickBooks 2008.
• Replace with 17.0 if you have QuickBooks 2007.

version

• Replace with atom if you have QuickBooks Simple Start.
• Replace with pro if you have QuickBooks Pro.
• Replace with superpro if you have QuickBooks Premier (not Accountant Edition).
• Replace with accountant if you have QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition.
• Replace with bel if you have QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions (not Accountant Edition).
• Replace with belacct if you have QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions Accountant Edition.

000-000

Replace with your QuickBooks installation product number.

How to locate your product numbers

To find your license and product numbers:

• For a downloaded product, look in the purchase confirmation email you received from Intuit.
• If you purchased QuickBooks on CD, look for the a brightly colored sticker on the original CD envelope.
• ProAdvisors: You can locate your installation codes on the ProAdvisor Software & Licenses page (login required).

If you have previously registered your QuickBooks software, you can get help finding your license number or key code with our License and Key Code Lookup tool. (ProAdvisors: This tool will not work for licenses included in your ProAdvisor software package, but it will work for copies of QuickBooks you ordered separately).

If you have not previously registered your QuickBooks software our knowledgebase article on missing or illegible installation numbers may help.

0000-0000-0000-000

Replace with your QuickBooks license number.

How to locate your license numbers

To find your license and product numbers:

• For a downloaded product, look in the purchase confirmation email you received from Intuit.
• If you purchased QuickBooks on CD, look for the a brightly colored sticker on the original CD envelope.
• ProAdvisors: You can locate your installation codes on the ProAdvisor Software & Licenses page (login required).

If you have previously registered your QuickBooks software, you can get help finding your license number or key code with our License and Key Code Lookup tool (ProAdvisors: This tool will not work for licenses included in your ProAdvisor software package, but it will work for copies of QuickBooks you ordered separately).

If you have not previously registered your QuickBooks software our knowledgebase article on missing or illegible installation numbers may help

If you have multiple versions of QuickBooks installed on one computer:

For each version of QuickBooks installed on the computer, an additional copy of the italicized text (from ) must be included in qbregistration.dat. This copy should be pasted between and . You will need to replace the boldface items in the new section with the appropriate values corresponding to each unique version of QuickBooks.

7. Save the file with the name qbregistration.dat. In the Save as type list, choose All Files.
   Save the file to the same directory specified in step 1:

   
   

   • Windows 8, 7 or Vista: C:\ProgramData\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
   • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Common Files\Intuit\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.