How to Install QuickBooks on New Computer Without Disk

There were times when CDs (Compact Discs) were the sole gateway to get your hands on QuickBooks Desktop. Fortunately, with the ever-evolving technological era, came the convenience of getting it on your system through the internet. This phenomenal shift eliminated the need to depend on physical media and provided users with a faster, more convenient and flexible way to set up QuickBooks Desktop on their systems.

Let’s skip the tech-speak and dive into detailed insights on how to install QuickBooks on a new computer without a disk. We’ll assist you with the quickest method for installing QuickBooks without a CD drive and the necessary prior preparations before doing so. All you need is a system with a stable internet connection, and we ensure that following this guide will have QuickBooks Desktop installed on your system in no time.

Install QuickBooks on a Computer Without CD Drive: Key Steps & Prerequisites

There are two potential cases while installing QuickBooks: either you want a fresh setup on a new system, or you already are using QuickBooks and thinking to transfer it to a new system. We have mentioned the requirements and methods for both the cases to make it easy to opt and execute. Here are they:

Checklist to Review Before you Install QuickBooks Without CD

Here are some technical preparations you must make before installing QuickBooks without a CD or disk:

• Go through your system specifications (Start > System) and compare them with QuickBooks Desktop minimum requirements. Upgrade the hardware that can raise compatibility issues with QuickBooks.
• You must have an active internet connection (high-speed) on your system for seamless QuickBooks operations.
• Download the latest Windows updates before installing QuickBooks to prevent compatibility issues.
• (For old users) Create a QuickBooks backup on your old computer before installing it on a new system and moving your financial data.

Now, let’s explore the method to install QuickBooks without a CD:

Procedure to Install QuickBooks on a New Computer Without the Disk

As we discussed earlier, there are two possible scenarios while installing QuickBooks Desktop on a computer. Here are the relevant methods to install QuickBooks on a computer without a CD drive in both cases:

In Case of Fresh QuickBooks Installation

The following steps are for users who do not already have QuickBooks on other systems and who wish to start using the software right after installation:

Step 1: Find your License, Product Number and other info

Use the following steps to find the license and product number of your QuickBooks Desktop. You can either

• Check the purchase confirmation email to find the license number and other product details. You’ll receive it on the primary email provided by you while purchasing the product. Check the spam and junk mails if you can’t locate it in the inbox.

OR

• To find your license number and other product information, log in to the Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) and check the Products & Services section.

Step 2: Download QuickBooks Desktop on your System

You can directly download the QuickBooks Desktop installation files from the official company website. Here’s how:

• Visit the Download & Updates page of the QuickBooks website and choose your country, product, and version. 
• Click Download.

Step 3: Install QuickBooks Desktop on your System

After downloading the QuickBooks Desktop installation file to your computer, apply these steps.

• Double-click Setup.exe to open the QuickBooks Desktop Installation wizard.
  
  
• Do as directed on the screen and accept the software license agreement when the prompt appears.
  
  
• Click Continue and enter the product and license number.
  
  
• Tap Next and follow the instructions mentioned on the screen.

Step 4: Choose the Installation Path

You have two installation paths, i.e., Express and Custom. Here’s how to choose between the two:

• Express (recommended): You should go with Express if you are a new user, reinstalling it on your system, and you are going to use QuickBooks only on this system (not on a network).
  

• Custom and Network options: You should go with Custom and Network options if you are installing QuickBooks on a server or you are thinking of setting up a multi-user network where the company file is hosted on a server and accessed by workstations.

Step 5: Resume QuickBooks Installation

Continue with the method depending on the installation path you chose:

For Express:

• Tap Next after selecting Express and click Install.
• Wait for the installation to finish and then click Open QuickBooks.

For Custom and Network Options:

• Tap Next after selecting Custom and Network Options to reveal the following choices:
  • Click I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer if you are currently on a workstation.
  • Click I’ll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer and AND I’ll be storing our company file here so it can be shared over your network if you want to install QuickBooks Desktop on a dedicated server that has your company files and will only be used to host the files on the multi-user network.
    
    
  • Click I will NOT be using QuickBooks on this computer. I will be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network if you want to install only the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on this server to host the data files.
• Click Next twice to begin QuickBooks Desktop installation.
• Tap Browse and then Change the install location to select a location for your QuickBooks folder.
• Click Open QuickBooks when the installation comes to an end.

Step 6: Activate QuickBooks Desktop

In Case of Migration

Use the following references if you want to install QuickBooks without a CD on a new computer and then migrate financial data into it from your old QuickBooks on another computer. Check these out:

• How to use the QuickBooks Migrator Tool?
• How to create a new QuickBooks company file from an old one?
• How to add a new user in QuickBooks Desktop?
• How to use QuickBooks Data Transfer Utility?
• How to set folder permissions for QuickBooks Desktop? (for both new and existing users)
• How to install QuickBooks Desktop in selective startup?
• How to use QuickBooks Database Server Manager to set up a multi-user network?
• How to update QuickBooks Company File?

Conclusion

This is how you can install QuickBooks on new computer without disk. This guide thoroughly details the simplest way to download and install QuickBooks from the official website for both new and existing users. We hope you can now download and install QuickBooks directly from the internet without using a physical installation disk. A compatible system and active internet connection is everything you need for installing QuickBooks without a CD drive and to start managing your finances as soon as possible.

FAQs

Why might the QuickBooks installer download fail when installing on a new computer without a disk?

There can be several reasons for QuickBooks installer failing to download or install on a new computer. Here are some of the most potential ones with quick fixes:

• Internet connection issues: QuickBooks download fails instantly if your system loses the connection with Intuit servers due to poor internet speed.
• Antivirus or firewall blocking QuickBooks: Antiviruses or the Windows Defender Firewall can prevent QuickBooks from downloading or installing on your computer. Configure the Windows firewall ports for QuickBooks Desktop to fix the issue.
• System not compatible to run QuickBooks or insufficient space: QuickBooks installer might fail if your system has low specifications compared to QB requirements or your system doesn’t have appropriate space to store the bookkeeping software.
• Corruption in the download file: QuickBooks installation file might get damaged during the download or due to viruses on your computer. Re-download after checking the internet connection and running an antivirus scan to eliminate the virus.
• Insufficient admin privileges: QuickBooks installation might fail if you aren’t using an admin account and the user account doesn’t have enough permissions to install a new application.
• Conflicts with existing QuickBooks: If you reinstall the same QB version already installed on your system, it can lead to conflicts between the software that affects the installation. Uninstall your QuickBooks before reinstalling it on your computer.

How do I verify that my QuickBooks installation is current and properly activated after installing without a disk?

After installation completes and you open QuickBooks, press the F2 key to get all the information about your QB in the Product Information window. Alternatively, go to the Help menu and click Update QuickBooks Desktop to check for available updates. Click Update Now if you see a new released update available for download.

Can I use an external CD drive or another workaround if my computer lacks a built-in disk drive for QuickBooks installation?

Yes, you can use an external CD drive or other storage drives like USB or hard disks to install QuickBooks. Just make sure the drive has the QuickBooks installation file and you have all the details (account credentials, product & license number, registered phone & email, etc.)

Is it possible to perform a remote or network-based installation of QuickBooks without the physical disk?

Yes, you can portably install QuickBooks on a cloud server or use the Remote Desktop Services to install it remotely. However, it isn’t recommended unless you have all the technical expertise related to the installation. Quick read QuickBooks Remote Access to get familiar with remote installation of the bookkeeping software.