Are you accessing outdated QuickBooks accounting software that causes glitches?
The latest QuickBooks version simplifies the accounting and bookkeeping process. Small and mid-sized business owners who switch to this software receive automatic updates to the newest version of QuickBooks Desktop company file. Users must update QuickBooks Desktop to its current release 2024 when Intuit introduces a new service or feature. Updating differs from upgrading a company file, which happens only after switching to a newer version of QuickBooks.
Intuit, the developer of QuickBooks, frequently releases QuickBooks Desktop updates. Each update includes new aspects, enhancements to existing features, along with improved bug fixes. Users must update QuickBooks to the 2024 version. The update process includes specific steps, which will be discussed in this article.
Let us begin this article by understanding the advantages of updating the QuickBooks Desktop version.
What are the Benefits of QuickBooks Update
Several users confuse updating QB Desktop with upgrading the accounting software. Intuit releases QuickBooks updates for various versions once a year. Updating to the current release offers several benefits, like:
- Ensuring a smooth, error-free user experience for all.
- Real-time invoice status monitoring and improved data file management.
- Increases data security.
- Fixes common bugs and security issues.
What are the Reasons to Update the QuickBooks Desktop?
Updating QuickBooks Desktop has its own set of benefits. Here is the list of the reasons to update the QuickBooks Desktop:
- Security Patches: Security is the primary concern for QuickBooks users. New updates comprise security patches that fix bugs and safeguard accounting data from unanticipated breaches.
- Bug Fixes: Updates include bug fixes that augment the software stability. Users can easily fix issues like data permission errors or wrong report filters by updating the accounting software.
- Compliance: QuickBooks updates involve changes that follow the new tax laws and regulations. This makes sure the software meets present legal requirements.
- Compatibility: Updates make sure that QuickBooks stays compatible with other software and operating systems, preventing issues or conflicts.
- Performance Improvements: Updates comprise improvements that speed up processing and boost efficiency. They also repair version mismatches and compatibility problems with operating systems or third-party apps.
- New Features: Updates often introduce new features that boost functionality and user experience. For example, updates can include features like:
- Better inventory management
- Easy integration with third-party apps
- Improved reporting capabilities
- Improved automation features
How to Update QuickBooks Desktop for Windows?
Users can update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release 2024 automatically or manually, whenever a new update is available.
Update QuickBooks Desktop Manually
To update QuickBooks Desktop manually, follow the steps given below:
- Launch QuickBooks Desktop.
- Choose Help from the menu bar.
- Click the Help option.
- Now press the QuickBooks update option from the drop-down list.
- The user will be taken to the overview tab.
- Choose the Update Now option. QuickBooks will begin downloading updates. After the download is over, the user will receive a prompt to start QuickBooks again to install the update.
- Press the OK option to restart and install the update to finish the update procedure.
Update QuickBooks Desktop Automatically
To set QuickBooks Desktop to update automatically, follow the steps given below:
- Open QuickBooks Desktop.
- Press the Help tab.
- Choose the QuickBooks update option from the drop-down list.
- The user will be forwarded to the Overview tab.
- In the Overview tab, the user must confirm if the automatic updates are off or on.
- To switch on automatic updates, press Options.
- Choose Yes to allow automatic updates.
- Press the Save option to implement the changes.
Update QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to its Current Version
To update QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to its latest version, follow the steps given below:
1st step: Ensure the company file is ready to update
Before installing the current QuickBooks Enterprise version, make sure the company file is free from data damage.
- Sign in to QuickBooks as Admin. The Admin account needs to have a password.
- Go to the Company menu. Now select Users and then click the option, Edit the Admin User.
- Delete special characters like “&” “:” and “/” from the company file name.
- Ensure that the extension is .qbw.
- Exit and start QuickBooks again.
- Go to the Window menu and choose Close All.
- Go to the File menu and choose Utilities.
- Choose Verify Data.
Once finished, QuickBooks will display a message, stating no problems were discovered with your data file. If a different message is visible, implement the instruction to repair it. Next, the data needs to be verified. Once there are no problems in QuickBooks, install QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.
2nd step: Install the Current Version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise on the Server
Before getting started, make sure the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise 2024 is downloaded.
- Shut down all running programs like the Anti-virus program.
- Press twice the Enterprise file downloaded.
- Choose the Server Install option. Now choose Database Server and QuickBooks Application.
a. For a server-only install, the update should be installed over the previous version. You can also access the full program install.
b. When you have the full program with QuickBooks Database Manager, install over the previous version. You can also keep both versions. One Database Manager will run services for one or more versions installed.
- Implement the prompts appearing on the screen till the installation is over. In case of an error message, reboot the system and try to install it again.
- Open the company file in the updated QuickBooks version.
- Login as Admin. QuickBooks will backup the file prior to updating it. After the update is over, the file will open.
(Optional) After the installation, old versions of QuickBooks need to be uninstalled along with any database managers from the server.
Here are the steps to do it:
- Choose the Windows Start button.
- Choose Settings, and then choose Control Panel.
- Choose the Add or Remove Programs option.
- Find the old QuickBooks version.
- Now choose the Uninstall/Change option and implement the prompts appearing onscreen.
3rd step: Configure Server and Network Settings
Here are the steps to set up the network to work with QuickBooks software in a multi-user environment:
- Choose the Windows Start button.
- Now choose Programs.
- Choose the QuickBooks option. Now choose the QuickBooks Database Manager option.
- Select the option, Scan Folders.
- Include the folder where the company file is stored.
- Scan the folder. The company file will be visible at the bottom.
- Shut the Database Server Manager.
4th step: Install the current version of QuickBooks Enterprise
Uninstall the old QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
Before beginning with the QuickBooks Enterprise, make sure all the workstations are using the same version. You will fail to open the company file after the update if any system is using an older version.
Here are the steps to uninstall old QuickBooks Enterprise from all the systems:
- Choose the Windows Start button.
- Now choose the Settings option.
- Choose the Control Panel tab. Now click the option, Add or Remove Programs.
- Find the old QuickBooks and then choose Uninstall/Change. Follow the prompts appearing onscreen.
Download the current version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
Download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to your workstations, with the steps given below:
- Shut down all the programs running on the computer, including the anti-virus.
- Press the Enterprise file twice you downloaded.
- Choose the Server Install option.
- Now choose Database Server and QuickBooks Application.
- Choose the Express option. If you choose the option, Select the Custom and Network, ensure to choose the following option:
- I’ll be using QuickBooks on this computer, but the company file will be located on a different computer.
- Implement the prompts appearing onscreen till the installation is over.
- Open the company file in the current QuickBooks version.
- Login as Admin. QuickBooks will backup the file prior to uploading. After the company file is updated, it will open.
How to Update QuickBooks Desktop for MacOS?
Users can update QuickBooks Desktop for MacOS to the 2024 latest release automatically or manually when the update is accessible.
Manually Update QuickBooks Desktop for MacOS
To manually update QuickBooks Desktop for MacOS, follow the steps given below:
- Open the QuickBooks Desktop on your MacOS.
- Go to the QuickBooks menu.
- Now choose the option, Check for QuickBooks Updates.
- Choose the option, Install and Relaunch.
QuickBooks update will be installed. The system will be restarted automatically after the process is over.
Set QuickBooks Desktop to Update Automatically for MacOS
To update QuickBooks Desktop for MacOS automatically, implement the steps given below:
- Launch QuickBooks accounting software.
- Go to the QuickBooks menu. Now choose the option, Check for QuickBooks Updates.
- To enable QuickBooks to update automatically, choose the option, Automatically Download and Install Updates in the future.
- Choose Install and Relaunch. QuickBooks will begin to download and install updates automatically.
Conclusion
By the end of this article, all the doubts regarding how to update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release for Windows and MacOS will be cleared. Still, if some of you have certain doubts regarding the topic or the steps, you can get in touch with our team of QuickBooks experts. Feel free to connect with our skilled and experienced technical team to get all the answers to your queries. Call us with your queries at 1800-961-4963.
