Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop: Clean Install Guide (Windows & Mac)

Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop if you want to start from a clean slate. There may be various reasons for QuickBooks Desktop reinstallation on Windows or Mac. You may be facing problems running QuickBooks, the company file might not be opening, or QuickBooks might be glitching. You may even have to uninstall QB on one machine and install it on another while migrating.

When you uninstall the existing QuickBooks program and reinstall it, you rename QuickBooks folders. This helps fix company file or installation issues without affecting your data. We have prepared this guide to help you clean install on Windows & Mac through various procedures.

Methods to Reinstall QuickBooks Software (Windows)

If you want to reinstall QuickBooks software on Windows, you can try any of the following methods. However, before you do make sure you take care of the following things:

1. Download your QuickBooks version installer beforehand from the QuickBooks Product Download Page.
2. Keep your license number should handy. You can find it on the original package or in the purchase confirmation email in case of an online purchase. This information is also available in the account management portal.
3. You should have a backup of your company file saved somewhere secure.
4. Make a copy of your QuickBooks Desktop product and license information and save it.

Method 1: QuickBooks Desktop Uninstall and Install

Follow the process of QuickBooks Desktop uninstall and install as follows.

Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks

Remove QuickBooks through the following steps:

1. Go to Windows search and type “Control Panel,” then select it to open Control Panel.
   
   
2. Choose Programs or Features or the option Uninstall a Program.
   
   
3. Click the QuickBooks Desktop version you want to uninstall from the programs list.
   
   
4. Hit Uninstall/ Change > Remove > Next. If this option doesn’t appear, you need to sign out and sign in again as an admin or a user who has admin rights.

If uninstalling QuickBooks causes issues, you’ll need to see an IT professional to see what’s wrong with your PC.

Step 2: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop after Uninstall

Now, reinstall QuickBooks Desktop after uninstall. You can do so by downloading the installation files or inserting a CD. When you do so, QuickBooks automatically creates new folders and renames old ones. However, if this doesn’t work, you’ll have to follow the next method.

Method 2: Reinstall QuickBooks without CD & Rename Installation Folders

Another method to reinstall QuickBooks without CD is uninstalling it manually and renaming the installation folders:

Step 1: Remove QuickBooks

To reinstall QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2024, start by uninstalling the program as follows:

• Open the Windows Start menu. Browse & open the Control Panel.
• Select Programs and Features. Or, you can choose Uninstall a Program.
• Find the QuickBooks Desktop version you want to remove from the list of installed programs.
• Click Uninstall/Change, then Remove, then click Next.
• If the Uninstall option isn’t available, sign out and log in again using an admin account or a user with admin rights.
• If you experience issues during uninstallation, consult an IT professional for further assistance.

Step 2: Manually Rename Installation Folders & Reinstall QuickBooks

Changing the name of installation folders will fix corruption and other problems:

1. Hit the Start menu. Look for and open File Explorer.
2. Search for the folder with your QuickBooks company files and open it. Your QuickBooks folder might be in any of the following locations:

1. C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
2. 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
3. C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
4. C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)

3. Right-click the QuickBooks folder with your company files, then click Rename.
   
   
4. Add .old at the end of the folder name. QuickBooks won’t open them when you reinstall.
5. Reinstall QB Desktop. 

If an error message pops up when you try renaming the folder, do as follows:

1. Right-click Windows Task Bar. Choose Task Manager.
   
   
2. Click the Processes tab.
   
3. Sort the list by choosing the Name column header.
   
   
4. Opt for the processes mentioned below, then click End Process for all: QBDBMgrN.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, Qbw32.exe.
5. “WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results….” – If you see this, hit Yes.

Method 3: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop in Selective Startup Mode

You can also reinstall QuickBooks Desktop in Selective startup mode if you fail to do so on your PC.

Step 1: Turn to Selective Startup Mode

To prevent other applications from interfering, switch to the Selective Startup mode. If you’re unsure about these steps, consider seeking help from your computer manufacturer or a Windows expert.

1. If you press Windows + R on your keyboard, you’ll open the Run dialog.
   
2. Type msconfig here and click OK.
   
   
3. In the General tab, hit Selective Startup and check the Load system services option.
   
   
4. Go to the Services tab. Check Hide all Microsoft services.
   
   
5. Click Disable All. This will turn off non-Microsoft services.
6. Remove the checkmark on Hide all Microsoft services. Search Windows Installer in the list.
   
   
7. Check Windows Installer, then click Apply and OK.
8. Restart your system to implement the changes.

Step 2: Reinstall QB Desktop & Switch Back to Normal Mode

Now, you can undertake QuickBooks Desktop clean reinstall by uninstalling and reinstalling the program. Once it’s done, you can return to the normal mode as follows:

1. Press Windows + R. The Run dialog will open.
2. Type msconfig. Click OK.
3. Tap the General tab. Choose Normal Startup.
4. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
5. Now, restart the system to implement the changes.

Steps to Reinstall QuickBooks for Mac

Here’s how to cleanly reinstall QuickBooks for Mac if you want to start on a clean slate:

Step 1: Remove QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

Have your QuickBooks Desktop download file or installation CD and license numbers in hand before you remove QB Desktop:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Click the Finder menu, then hit Applications.
   
   
3. Take the QuickBooks icon to the trash. 

Step 2: Get Rid of QuickBooks PLIST Files

To restore QuickBooks preferences to default settings, you need to delete both User and System PLIST files. Keep in mind that this will reset all preferences and may require you to re-register QuickBooks.

Deleting User PLIST Files:

1. Open the Finder menu.
2. Hold down the Option key, then hit Library.
3. Open the Preferences folder.
4. Locate files with com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX.plist (where XX is your QuickBooks version).
   
   
5. Move these files to the Trash.
6. Empty the Trash to complete the process.

Deleting System PLIST Files:

1. Access a new Finder window, then go to Macintosh HD.
2. Click Library > Preferences.
3. Find files named com.intuit.QuickBooks20XX.plist and move them to the Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to finalize the removal.

Tip: If you can’t find Macintosh HD in Finder:

• Open Finder, select Preferences, then go to the General tab.
• Make sure Hard disks are checked.

After following these steps, QuickBooks preferences will be reset to default.

Step 3: Restart the System & Reinstall QB

Finally, shut down and restart your Mac. Then, reinstall QuickBooks using installation files or CDs. Then, set it up and use it error-free.

Summing Up

When you reinstall QuickBooks Desktop, you remove the damaged company files or installation files. Instead, you start afresh with the newer QuickBooks installation folders and files. You can use the various methods and processes mentioned here to reinstall QuickBooks Desktop on Mac or Windows. However, if the errors remain, and you can’t handle them yourself, you must consult professionals. 

FAQs

How do I troubleshoot issues during the QuickBooks Desktop reinstall process?

If you face issues during the QuickBooks reinstall process, you can do it through selective startup mode. You can also run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub > Installation Issues. Your network connectivity and Microsoft .NET framework are also good considerations during reinstallation. Make sure your system is compatible and the files are not corrupted.

How can I reinstall QuickBooks Desktop on a new PC?

You can reinstall QuickBooks Desktop on a new PC without a migrator tool. You just need to keep your license and product information in hand. Make sure the existing QuickBooks program is removed. Now, use the installation files or CD to reinstall QuickBooks. Now, follow the same process for fresh and smooth installation.

Can I use the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool to reinstall QuickBooks Desktop?

Intuit has discontinued the clean install tool to help you reinstall QuickBooks Desktop. Instead, you can follow a clean install process, where you need to remove QuickBooks from the Control Panel. Then, you can reinstall it from the installation files or CD. Otherwise, you can change the name of the existing installation folders and add .old, then reinstall QB.

How do I activate QuickBooks Desktop after reinstalling?

Activating QuickBooks Desktop is a simple step after reinstalling the program. Open the program, go to the Help section, then click Activate QuickBooks Desktop. Now, you need to enter the instructions on the screen to verify your details.

How do I ensure my data is safe during the QuickBooks Desktop reinstall process?

If you want to keep your data secure during QuickBooks reinstallation, create a backup. Keep the backup on an external location and restore it after setting up QuickBooks.