QuickBooks You Do Not Have Sufficient Permissions to The Specified Folder

QuickBooks allows several users to see, access, and update the same company file in a multi-user environment. You can also give users different levels of access rights to guarantee that your sensitive financial data is kept safe. Assigning administrator privileges to users not only allows users to operate more efficiently in multi-user mode but also resolves several typical issues that arise when admin permissions are insufficient.

At times, in QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder error message is experienced by many users. It often happens while they attempt to open, restore, or backup their QB company file. It is also considered as one of the most abruptly occurring errors in QuickBooks. In this particular article, we’ll come to know what are the troubleshooting steps required to fix the error along with other facts including causes, symptoms, etc. let’s proceed!

You may also receive one of these error messages on your screen stating:-

An error occurred when QuickBooks tried to access the company file. Please try again. If the problem persists, contact Intuit Technical Support and provide them with the following error codes: (-6000, -83).

Or

You do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder. To use QuickBooks in a multi-user environment, you must have read/write access and create/delete rights to the folder where the company file is stored.

What causes Error: QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder

One or more of the following can produce this error:

• The file is saved in a secure location, such as the root of the C:/ Drive or Windows Vista, 7, or 8’s Program Files.
• The file is on a password-protected server.
• Permissions on folders aren’t set up correctly.
• The company file is saved in a damaged folder.
• If you are using a non-US or non-Canadian version of Windows, this error may show.
• Alternatively, if you have a ‘Regional Language Settings’ option in Windows that is set to a language other than English.
• The extension of the file is incorrect.
• When a QuickBooks installation is incomplete
• Access to the network server, QBDataServiceUserXX, or Windows administrators is insufficient.
• There is a corrupted company (.qbw) file
• The shared folder or the QB company file has been damaged or corrupted.
• If the QB Company file is attempted to be hosted by numerous systems.
• When attempting to convert an older version of QB Company over a network.
• It’s possible that the file extension is anything like .qbm or .qbw.adr.
• Instead of only the server, hosting is enabled on both servers and at least one workstation (correct).

On the Linux servers:

• If the qbdir.dat file does not exist or if the QuickBooks Company file in the directory is not being monitored by qbmonitor.
• If the server’s name cannot be pinged by the computer.

For different situations, Intuit suggests several options. You may find that the first option solves your problem, or you may need to attempt all of them to find a solution. Perform the solutions in the order provided for the best results.

Different solutions for different conditions when “QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder” error message can be seen 

The procedures for troubleshooting are determined by the action taken when the issue arises. Though, “QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder” encountered in different scenarios as discussed below so follow the indicated troubleshooting procedures:

# Condition 1: Open the QuickBooks company file stored on a Windows Server 

During error resolution, you may discover that copying the QB business file to the computer is more efficient than resolving it on the network. Copy the QB file back to its original network location once the issue has been resolved.

Solution 1: Make use of QuickBooks File Doctor Tool 

Use the QuickBooks File Doctor to fix problems with the QB company file or the network.

• To begin, download the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool
• This file doctor tool should be installed and run on your computer
• This tool will automatically check the server for faults and resolve them
• Finally, restart your computer system.

Solution 2: Turn off hosting on all workstations that access the file over the Network 

Configure only one of your QuickBooks Desktop systems to host the QB company file if you’re utilising it on several systems.

To switch off hosting on all workstations, follow these instructions:

• Launch the QuickBooks Desktop application
• Select the “Utilities” tab after selecting the “File” icon
• If you notice the following in the list:
  • Host Multi-User Access — The machine isn’t hosting the QuickBooks company file, therefore you can move on to the next one.
  • Stop allowing multiple users to access your website – After you’ve chosen that option, go ahead and do the following:
    • Click the “Yes” icon in the “Stop hosting multi-user Access” window
    • To go to the next computer, click the “Yes” icon in the “Company file must be closed” window.

Solution 3: Edit the Hosts file 

Change the IP address and Windows Server name in the Windows hosts file(s) on the desktop.

Important Note: Hosts files are used to store IP addresses that are static. If the network uses dynamic addressing, difficulties may arise if the server is rebooted and receives a different IP address from the one specified in the Hosts file.

The Windows server should be set up so that the network address stays the same at all times.

• Firstly close the QuickBooks Desktop application
• On the server, go to the Start menu and select Computer
• After that, go to: 
  • C: \ Windows \ System32 \ Drivers \ Etc
  • C: \ Windows \ Syswow64 \ Drivers \ Etc
• Now, perform double-click the hosts file option
• If you’re asked to choose an application to open with, choose “Notepad”
• You must do so by entering the IP address followed by the computer name
• The server will have the IP address and computer name of the workstation, while the workstation will undoubtedly have the IP address and computer name of the Web server
• Use the Tab key instead of the space bar to change the IP address and computer system name when inputting these details.

#Condition 2: Open the QuickBooks Company file stored on a  Linux Server

Solution 1: Check the Connection 

• The file “Initord.conf” configure the Linux Database Server Manager to find the directory
• The QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions application on the Windows client should be restarted later
• Ping the server with the following commands:
  • To enter the Run window, concurrently press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard
  • Hit the “OK” tab after typing in CMD
  • Enter Ping (Name of Linux Server) at the command prompt and then press the Enter button.

Solution 2: Edit the Hosts File 

“Edit” the hosts file from the workstation using the IP address and Linux server name.

Case Sensitive Linux File System

When entering the QB Company file name that you want to open/access via Windows client, make sure you use the correct case. If you type company B instead of company b, Windows will be able to open/access the Linux server, but the database will be unable to open/access the QB file.

• Turn off the QuickBooks Desktop program
• To open/access the Computer window, concurrently press the Windows + E keys on the keyboard
• Navigate to (C >> Windows folder’ icon >> System32 folder’ tab >> drivers folder’ tab >> etc folder on the Local Disc
• To open/access the hosts file, use the “Notepad”
• Edit or add the server’s IP address after the final IP address is listed
• Then press the “Tab” key and type the server’s name
• After saving the file, open the QuickBooks & QB Company file.

#Condition 3: You were creating a backup 

• Create a new file folder in the C drive’s root directory
• Make a manual backup and save it to the newly created file folder

Important Note: To learn more about backups, look for the QuickBooks Company file backup or, if you're in QuickBooks, press the "F1" key to open the Help window, then type in “Backup Company Files Overview” in the Help window.

You can also utilize the “QuickBooks File Doctor” to copy the QB company file to a Windows PC, as described in the Windows field.

#Condition 4: Restore the QuickBooks Company File 

There are other troubleshooting to fix “QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder” while restoring the company file. 

Solution 1: Change/Alter the QuickBooks file extension 

If you try to restore a QB company file, it will create a new QB company file with the suffix .qbw. If the backup method creates a QuickBooks file with a .qbm or .adr extension, you must rename the QuickBooks file extension to .qbw and then try to open/access the renamed QuickBooks file. Rename “My Company Name.qbm” to “My Company Name.qbw”, are some examples.

Make a note that changes the Windows system settings to enable you to see QB file extensions, if necessary. 

• To open/access the Product Information screen, go to the QuickBooks Company file and press the “F2” key
• Highlight and copy the file location from the “File Information” field in the “Location” section, then paste it into the system notepad
• If you’re using QuickBooks in a multi-user environment, close the QuickBooks application on all computers that are using the QB Company files
• Do a right-click on the “Windows” or “Start” icon, then select the “Explore” tab from the menu
• As you indicated in step 2, go to the QB company file location
• Again perform a right-click the “File Name” tab and select “Rename” from the menu
• On the “Enter” tab, type the name of the new QB company file.

Solution 2: Verify the problem related to QuickBooks file name & file path 

During backup restoration, the QuickBooks application searches for the whole QuickBooks file name and location. Avoid long pathways and special characters:

Acceptable: C:\Users\Fred\My Documents\QuickBooks data\Company Name.qbw

Not Acceptable: Business\Fred\Fred’s Documents\My Business $.Business – The dollar symbol ($) and the quotation mark (') are special characters. The My Business $.qbw file and the Fred's Documents folder should both be renamed.

• Go to the File menu and select the “Open or Restore Company” tab 
• Next, select “Restore a backup copy” from the drop-down menu followed by clicking the “Next” tab
• Select “Local backup” from the drop-down menu and then hit the “Next” button
• Choose the “Open” tab after finding the backup QuickBooks file [Companyname].qbb
• Now, navigate to the “Open and Restore a Company” screen, then click the “Next” option
• To save a company file, go to the “Save Company File” screen, remove any special characters or spaces from the “File Name” box, and then select the “Save” option.

Note: Also make a note that if your QuickBooks file is on a mapped network drive, try using the UNC path to open/access it (or reverse, switch from allocated to UNC path).

Conclusive lines..!

Well, these are all possible scenarios when users can experience the “QuickBooks you do not have sufficient permissions to the specified folder” error. With the help of the above-provided article, you’ll be able to resolve your problems accurately with much ease. But the steps are a little complicated, and it’s likely that they won’t help you in your situation. Thus, if there is any other condition apart from the above-discussed and you won’t be able to resolve your queries correctly with the aforementioned steps. In that case, you can reach out to the team of Experts using our LIVE CHAT option.