QuickBooks Clean Install Tool

Things to do Before you Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

To avoid any file or data loss, there are a few essential procedures that must be completed before proceeding with the Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop.

Data from QuickBooks should be backed up to a flash drive. It will guarantee that the data is not lost in an emergency.

1. To open the QuickBooks Desktop program, you have to double-click its icon.
2. Then you have to go to the File menu and select the Back Up Company option to generate a local backup.
3. Depending on your preferences, you can select between a local backup or an online backup.
4. In order to finish the backup, you have to click Next and you have to follow the on-screen steps.

Once the QuickBooks desktop application has been successfully removed, you will need to have the license and product number available for reinstallation.

NOTE: To view the product registration details, you have to access the Product Information window by pressing the F2 or Ctrl + 1 keys if the application can still be opened.

Be sure you have the installer for your QuickBooks version.

How to Use QuickBooks Clean Install on Windows?

The following steps are necessary in order to use the QuickBooks Clean install tool properly:

1. Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop application
2. Rename QB Installation Folders to Completely Uninstall QuickBooks
3. To Tackle the Error while Renaming the Folder
4. Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

Steps to take before you uninstall quickbooks desktop

Before you uninstall QuickBooks, you should gather important information related to your product so that you can easily install and activate it on your system. 

Here is a list of key the information that you will require:

• Download the setup for your edition of QuickBooks desktop.
• Find the license and product number for your purchase.
• Note down the version and product for your QuickBooks.

Step 1: Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop application

To start with a clean install, follow these steps to uninstall QuickBooks from your device:

1. To open the Run command window, use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R.
2. In the Run box, you have to type Control Panel, then hit Enter or click OK.
3. Click on Uninstall a Program after selecting Programs and Features.
4. Find QuickBooks in the list of installed programs, then double-click it.
5. To continue with the uninstallation, select the Uninstall/Change option and select Uninstall.
6. To completely uninstall QuickBooks Desktop from Windows, you have to follow the on-screen instructions.
7. Then you have to click Next. Log out of the server and then sign back in as an Administrator if you are unable to view this option.
8. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and enter the following command to end the QBDB service: sc remove QuickBooksdb##, where ## is the version (28 for 2018, for example).
9. Go to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users in Computer Management and delete the QBDataServiceUser##.
10. You have to restart the server.

Step 2: Rename QB Installation Folders to Completely Uninstall QuickBooks

Take the following steps to completely remove QuickBooks from the system:

1. First, you have to confirm that Display Hidden Files and Folders is enabled in Windows.
2. Press Windows + E on your keyboard to launch Windows File Manager.
3. Go to the installation folder for QuickBooks, which is often found at:
   1. C:\ ProgramData\ Intuit\ QuickBooks
   2. 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks
   3. C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks
   4. C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
4. Select Rename with a right-click on the QuickBooks folder.
5. After entering the folder name, you have to type OLD, and attempt to reinstall QuickBooks.

Step 3: To Tackle the Error while Renaming the Folder

1. To access Task Manager, either you have to right-click on the Window Task Bar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
2. To sort processes alphabetically, you have to use the Image Name column heading under the Process tab.
3. Select the End Process option when you right-click the QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, and Qbw32.exe files.
4. When the notification "Warning: Terminating a process can cause undesirable results" appears, then you have to click "Yes."
5. Once again you have to try renaming the QuickBooks folder.

Step 4: Reinstall Quickbooks Desktop

After you have uninstalled quickbooks and cleared all registry files with the help of the QuickBooks clean install tool, you can move to reinstalling the software on your system. An important thing to note here is that you should prepare the installation files before you choose to uninstall the program from your system.

Here's everything you will need to prepare to install quickbooks and activate it on your system:

• Check the system requirements for your version of quickbooks desktop.
• Download the setup for your edition of box text art.
• Retrieve the product and license numbers required to activate the accounting software.

If you don't have your license and product numbers with you, then you can go back to your Intuit account and check for the products that you have purchased in the past. Choose the edition of QuickBooks that you are reinstalling and note down the product and license number required to activate the product.

If you purchased the software from a third party vendor, then you can contact them or find the product and license number on the CD/DVD cover for the installation disc.

Now let's come to the installation of this software. As you are prepared to install the software on your system, you can proceed with the steps provided below:

1. Launch the setup for your version of quickbooks desktop.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions and agree to the terms and conditions mentioned to proceed with the installation.
3. Enter your product and license numbers required to activate the accounting software and click on next.
4.  Choose one of the two options provided below:
   1.  Express install
   2.  Custom and network install

 If you chose Express install, then follow the steps:

1. Click on Express and choose next.
2. Click on install.
3. Choose open QuickBooks when the installation completes.

If you chose custom and network install, then follow these steps:

1. Click on Custom and Network options.
2. Choose Next.
3. Choose additional options to configure the accounting software as per your personal requirements.
4. Click on Change the Install Location.
5. Click on Browse, then choose the directory that you want to install the software in.
6. Click on Next, then Open QuickBooks.

While express install is good for users who want to locally store the software and company file, network install is necessary for users who choose to host the company file on a different server and/or enable the multi-user mode on their system.

Note: If you entered the product and license numbers when you launched the installer, then your product will be automatically activated. If you opted to initiate the trial version, then you can follow these steps to activate QuickBooks desktop after a clean install:

1. Launch QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to the Help menu.
3. Choose Activate QuickBooks Desktop.
4. Verify the information by providing additional details.

You’ll get a confirmation message when the software has been activated successfully.

Detailed Procedure to Install QuickBooks Desktop

Once the QuickBooks Desktop package has been properly downloaded, install it by following these instructions:

Step 1: Hosting QuickBooks on a Network

Installing QuickBooks Database Server Manager and creating a multi-user network configuration are prerequisites for setting up QuickBooks on a network for the first time.

Step 2: Preparing for Installation

1. The first requirement for the clean install tool QuickBooks is satisfying the essential system prerequisites for compatibility and full functionality.
2. The next step is to download the relevant QuickBooks Desktop version to your device in advance and save the file somewhere available, such as your Windows desktop.
3. For future needs, the product and license numbers should be written down or noted.

Step 3: Locating Product and License Numbers

To retrieve your QuickBooks product and license numbers, you have to press the F2 or Ctrl + 1 keys in QB Desktop to expand the Product Information box.

Step 4: Installing QuickBooks Desktop

1. After you delete and reinstall QuickBooks desktop, open the exe file from the new download package.
2. Accepted are the on-screen instructions and the software license agreement for continuous and legal operations.
3. Then you have to click on Next.
4. After entering your license and product numbers, you have to select "Next."

Step 5: Choosing the Installation Path

There are two ways to install QuickBooks with Intuit QuickBooks Desktop: Express or Custom and Network.

Under Express Install

This choice is recommended if you are:

1. A first-time user
2. Reinstalling QuickBooks.
3. Setting up QuickBooks on a single computer (not connected to a network):
   1. Select "Express."
   2. Next, click on"Next."
   3. Then you have to select"Install."
   4. Once finished, select "Open QuickBooks."

Under Custom and Network Install

A customized installation is advised if you:

1. Open QuickBooks somewhere other than the default (for example- on a server).
2. On a server host your company files.
3. Have a multi-user network.
4. Then you have to tap "Custom and Network Options."
5. Now click on Next
6. Declare that you want to use QuickBooks.
7. Open the next window.
8. Select "Change the installation location."
9. To choose where your QuickBooks folder should be located, use the "Browse" option (usually placed in the Programs folder).
10. Move your cursor over "Next" to start the installation.
11. Once it's finished, you have to select "Open QuickBooks."

Step 6: Activation and Updates

Once QuickBooks has been installed, it will prompt you to update and activate the program. Here are the steps in case you need help with activation:

1. Then you have to open the QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Then you have to go to Help.
3. To use QuickBooks Desktop, you have to click Activate.
4. Through the steps on the screen, you have to manage your information.
5. You have to add QBDataServiceUser## to the server’s Administrators group through Computer Management by going to System Tools >> Local Users and Groups >> Users.
6. To open the "msc" and carry out these steps:
   1. Set QuickBooksDB##'s startup type to "Automatic."
   2. Stop QBIDPService operation.
7. Delete the following file: “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\Intuit Data Protect.”
8. Give the following three folders Full Control access to the "All Users" group.
1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
2. C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit
3. C:\ProgramData\Intuit
9. Make sure the QuickBooksDB## and QBIDPService services are still configured to run automatically by rebooting the server.

Look, at how you can clean install QuickBooks on Mac:

Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks for Mac

The Uninstall process goes as follows:

1. You have to close QuickBooks for Mac.
2. Then you have to go to the Finder menu on your Mac desktop and then you have to click on Go.
3. Then you have to select Applications.
4. Now find the QuickBooks for Mac icon and then you have to drag it to the Trash.

Step 2: Remove User and System PLIST QuickBooks files

Remove the User and System PLIST files to return references to their original configurations. Upon reinstallation, it will deactivate your QuickBooks for Mac products. For every folder, you have to follow these steps

1. Open the Finder menu on your desktop and then you have to select Go.
2. Then you have to hold the option key, then you have to select Library.
3. You have to open the Preferences folder.
4. Locate any PLIST files that have "QuickBooks" and your version in the file name; delete them. Make sure to remove EVERY file that contains the string "intuit.QuickBooks20XX" (XX stands for the version year in your case).

1. Open "Macintosh HD" from the desktop icon or a new Finder window.
2. Go to the "Library" folder and then the "Preferences" folder.
3. Find the PLIST files that include "QuickBooks" and your version in the file name, then delete them. Ensure that EVERY file that contains "intuit.QuickBooks20XX" is deleted (XX stands for the year of your version).
4. Empty the trash.

Step 3: Restart Your Mac

You have to perform a standard restart of your Mac.

1. You have to close all applications that are currently running.
2. Double-click the installer that you downloaded to activate your QuickBooks for Mac license. The QuickBooks installation is going to open automatically.
3. The Applications folder will open automatically if you drag the QuickBooks icon into it.
4. To launch the application, you have to double-click the QuickBooks for Mac icon, after the installation.

Conclusion

QuickBooks clean install tool can get rid of any leftover files or registry keys left on your system after uninstalling the accounting software. So you can then install a fresh copy of QuickBooks desktop on your system. This can help you to resolve various errors and issues related to this accounting software.