Moving to a new PC? Whether you bought a new computer or your old one crashed, transferring QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer is straightforward when done in the right order. This guide walks you through every step — company file, license, settings, and verification.
✅ Quick Overview — What You’ll Transfer
- Your company file (.QBW) — all your accounting data
- Your license key — deactivate on old PC, activate on new one
- Templates, letters & logos — custom invoice designs
- Memorized reports & preferences — your saved settings
⚠️ Don’t skip step 1. Always back up your company file BEFORE doing anything else. A failed transfer without a backup can mean lost data.
Need a new license for your new computer?
If you don’t have a transferable license, LicenseRetail sells genuine perpetual licenses — one-time payment, no subscription.
Get a No-Subscription License →Step 1 — Back Up Your Company File on the Old Computer
- Open QuickBooks Desktop on your old computer
- Go to File → Back Up Company → Create Local Backup
- Select Local Backup → click Options
- Choose a save location — external USB drive or a folder you’ll copy to the new PC
- Click OK → Next → Save it Now → Finish
Your backup file will end in .QBB. Also locate your live company file (ends in .QBW) — usually found at: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files\
Step 2 — Note Your License Number
- In QuickBooks on your old computer → press F2 (or go to Help → Product Information)
- Write down your License Number and Product Number
- Keep this safe — you’ll need it to activate on the new computer
Step 3 — Deactivate QuickBooks on the Old Computer
- Go to Help → Manage My License → Deactivate QuickBooks Desktop
- Confirm the deactivation when prompted
- This frees the license to be activated on your new computer
⚠️ If your old computer is already dead or inaccessible: Don’t worry — Intuit allows a limited number of activations per license. Simply activate on the new computer. If you hit an activation limit, call Intuit support at 1-800-4-INTUIT and they’ll reset it.
Step 4 — Transfer Your Files to the New Computer
Choose whichever method works best for you:
| Method | Best For | How |
|---|---|---|
| USB Drive | Most users | Copy .QBB and .QBW to USB → plug into new PC → copy to Documents |
| Network Share | Both PCs on same network | Share the folder on old PC → access from new PC → copy files |
| Cloud Storage | Remote transfer | Upload to Google Drive/OneDrive → download on new PC |
| QB Migration Tool | Full automatic transfer | QuickBooks → File → Utilities → Move QuickBooks to another computer |
Save your company files to: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files\ on the new PC.
Step 5 — Install QuickBooks on the New Computer
- Download the installer from Intuit’s official download page
- Right-click the installer → Run as Administrator
- Select install type → Express for single user
- Enter your License Number and Product Number from Step 2
- Complete the installation → open QuickBooks
Step 6 — Restore Your Company File on the New Computer
- Open QuickBooks on the new computer
- Go to File → Open or Restore Company
- Select Restore a backup copy → click Next
- Select Local Backup → browse to your .QBB file → click Open
- Choose where to save the restored company file → click Save
- QuickBooks will restore and open your company file
Step 7 — Transfer Templates, Logos & Custom Settings
These files are stored separately from your company file. Copy them from the old PC to the same location on the new PC:
- Invoice templates:
C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks [year]\ - Company logo: Go to Edit → Preferences → Company preferences → upload your logo again
- Printer settings: File → Printer Setup → reconfigure on the new PC
- Memorized reports: These are stored inside your company file — they transfer automatically with your .QBB backup
Need help with the transfer? We offer remote installation & migration services
Our team can handle the full QuickBooks transfer remotely — company file, license activation, templates, and settings.
Remote Installation Service → White Glove Migration →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer without losing data?
Yes — as long as you back up your company file first and restore it correctly on the new PC. Follow the steps above in order and you will not lose any data.
Do I need to buy a new license for my new computer?
No — your existing license can be transferred. Deactivate it on the old computer first (Help → Manage My License → Deactivate), then activate on the new computer with the same license number and product number.
What if my old computer died and I can’t deactivate the license?
Just activate QuickBooks on your new computer using your license key. If you hit the activation limit, call Intuit support at 1-800-4-INTUIT and explain your old computer died — they will reset your activation count at no charge.
What files do I need to transfer?
The most important file is your company file (.QBW) or backup (.QBB). Also transfer custom templates, your company logo, and any attachments stored locally. Memorized reports and preferences are saved inside the company file and transfer automatically.
How do I find my QuickBooks company file location?
In QuickBooks, go to File → Open or Restore Company → the path to your current company file is shown at the top. The default location is C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files\.
Can I use QuickBooks on two computers at the same time?
With a single-user license, no — you can only run QuickBooks on one computer at a time. For multi-user access on a local network, you need a multi-user license. QuickBooks Desktop Pro supports up to 3 simultaneous users, Premier up to 5, and Enterprise up to 40.
How long does it take to move QuickBooks to a new computer?
For most users, the full process takes 30–60 minutes — including backup, file transfer, installation, and restoration. If you use our Remote Installation Service, our team handles everything for you while you watch.
Does QuickBooks work on Windows 11?
Yes. QuickBooks Desktop 2024 fully supports Windows 11 64-bit (native installation). Windows 11 is strongly recommended since Microsoft ended Windows 10 support in October 2025.