Update QuickBooks Desktop 2025: Windows & Mac Instructions

Update QuickBooks Desktop – you might have heard it a lot, but why do you do it and how? Simply put, each update that QuickBooks Desktop brings bug fixes, security improvements, and overall smooth working of the software. You will also get the newest features and resolutions of well-known issues.

Usually, QuickBooks downloads and installs updates automatically whenever they become available. However, there’s an option to run them manually as well. It’s important to know that updating QuickBooks Desktop is different from updating your company file. The latter happens after switching to a newer version/ edition of QuickBooks Desktop.

In this article, we’ve detailed how to update QuickBooks 2025 to the latest version on Windows and Mac.

Reasons to Update QB Desktop

The three major reasons to update QB Desktop are:

1. Fixing bugs, glitches, and errors
2. Improving security
3. Introducing new features

Overall product improvements drive the need for the latest updates. You deserve a product that works well in all respects, and QuickBooks updates ensure that.

Steps to Update QuickBooks Desktop to the Latest Release (Windows)

When looking to update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release on Windows, follow the steps below:

Step 1: See if you have the Latest Release

You may want to check your system for its version. The automatic update might have made it the latest release. To check which QuickBooks update release you have, the steps below will help:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
   
   
2. Press the F2 or Ctrl + 1 key on the keyboard. The Product Information window will come up on the screen.
3. You can notice your current version and release.

The latest release you can check for your QuickBooks versions (at the current time) include:

US QuickBooks	CA QuickBooks
QuickBooks 2024 R11_43	QuickBooks 2024 R12_27
QuickBooks 2023 R15_29	QuickBooks 2023 R14_43
QuickBooks 2022 R18_40	QuickBooks 2022 R18_40

Step 2: Download QuickBooks Update & Install

You usually need not download QuickBooks update because the program does it itself. Once it’s downloaded, you’ll see Update available in the top right corner of the status bar. The next steps will involve the installation of the update. The update installs automatically if you exit the product and keep your system on.

However, you can download QuickBooks updates automatically if they’re not visible. For that, do the following:

1. Close the company file you have and the QuickBooks program.
2. Open the Start menu on Windows.
3. Look for QuickBooks Desktop. Right-click its icon. Choose Run as administrator.
   
4. If the No company open screen pops up, choose the Help menu and click Update QuickBooks Desktop.
5. Click the Options tab. Choose Mark All. Select Save.
6. Select the Update Now tab. Then, tick the Reset Update checkbox.
   
   
7. Choose the Get Updates option when everything is ready.

Once the update download ends, close and reopen QuickBooks Desktop. Select Install now to install updates.

To manually install QuickBooks updates, the steps include:

1. Click Update available, then choose Install now to install the update.
2. Leave the system to install the update and relax. It may take time to manually update QuickBooks.
3. Restart your computer after the installation finishes.
4. Open QuickBooks after the update is installed.

Download the latest payroll tax table if you have a payroll subscription. This will help process payroll in QuickBooks. It’s important that your payroll subscription must be active.

Step 3: Download Latest QuickBooks Version from the Internet (Optional)

You can also download specific updates for the QuickBooks latest version from the official website as follows:

1. On the official website, go to the Downloads & Updates page and choose the Standard setup.
2. Choose your country from the Select Country option.
3. Select your product from the Select Product dropdown.
4. Select your version (year) from the Select Version menu.
5. Choose Search.
   
   
6. Click the Get the latest updates option. When the download ends, double-click the file to open and install the update.
7. Follow the instructions on the screen when the installation of the QuickBooks latest version ends.

Tip: You should only get the critical fixes. Ultra-Light Patches (ULIP) help download specific, minor crucial fixes in place of the entire update. The patch release process will remain unchanged. Choose Critical Fixes from the available options when downloading updates.

Once you see the download finished notification, open the file to proceed with the installation. After the QuickBooks Desktop update is installed, restart your computer.

If you want to install the update manually on multiple devices, get the installation file from another computer on your network or transfer it using a flash drive.

QuickBooks Update Failed, Stuck, or Unable to Finish

If your QuickBooks update failed, stays stuck, or doesn’t advance to the next release number, here’s how to fix it:

Solution 1: Re-Download the Update

Repeat the following steps a few times to see if the release number moves forward:

1. Click Help, then select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Choose Update Now. Click Get Updates.
3. Install the update again by closing and reopening QuickBooks.

If the release number doesn’t move forward, try the next solution.

Solution 2: End the Following Processes Using Task Manager

1. Exit QuickBooks.
2. Right-click the taskbar. Select Task Manager.
3. See the following background processes under the details tab. Choose them and click End Task for all:
   
   
   • QBW32.exe or QBW.exe
   • qbupdate.exe
   • QBDBMgr.exe or QBDBMgrN.exe
   • QBCFMonitorService.exe
   • QBMapi32.exe
4. Right-click the QuickBooks shortcut, then select Run as administrator.
5. Update QuickBooks on Windows by running it again.

Steps to Update QuickBooks on Mac

If you want to update QuickBooks on Mac, you can do so from the product updates page or directly from the application.

Important: You may see a message stating, “Access to your [services] in QuickBooks for Mac will expire on 2025.” It means your access to QuickBooks services will end. You can get the complete details for this on the QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy page.

This message means you will no longer receive essential security updates. If any updates are available before the expiration date, you must install them using the steps below.

If you don’t use add-on services, your QuickBooks software will still function. However, to continue using these services, you need to consider upgrading to a newer version of QuickBooks for Mac.

Step 1: Check if you have the Latest Release

Look for the release number on your QB Desktop for Mac:

1. Open QB Desktop for Mac.
2. Open the Product Information window by pressing Command + 1 keys.
3. Look for your current release and version.

You can check it in the release notes of every version, which are currently as follows:

• QuickBooks Mac Plus 2024 R7
• QuickBooks Mac Plus 2023 R7
• QuickBooks Mac Plus 2022 R12

If you don’t have the latest version, you can get it through in-product updates or manual installation.

Step 2: Download In-Product Updates

1. Go to the QuickBooks drop-down. Click Check for QuickBooks updates.
2. Select the Install update option if the latest version is available.
3. Choose Install and Relaunch when requested.
4. QuickBooks for Mac reopens automatically when the update finishes.

Note: If you want to ensure the updates automatically install in the future, click the option Automatically download and install updates in the future.

Step 3: Update QuickBooks Desktop for Mac Manually (Optional)

To manually update QuickBooks Desktop for Mac:

Uninstall QuickBooks Desktop for Mac:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Choose Go Applications from the Finder menu.
3. Drag the QuickBooks program icon to trash.

Install the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac again:

1. Click QuickBooks Downloads & Updates page on the official site.
2. Choose the correct country, product, version, and year from the dropdowns.
3. Choose Search.
4. Click Download to get the installer file.
5. Double-click the .dmg file.
6. Drag the QuickBooks program icon to the Applications folder to install. If you wish to verify the update and check the release number, open the QB program and press Command + 1.

Restore your company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
2. Choose File, then click Open or Restore Company.
3. Restore the file depending on its type:

• • Windows company file (.qbw)- Choose Open a company file > Next. Open the folder where the company file is saved and select it. Click Open, then enter the password.
  • Windows backup company file (.qbb)
  • Windows portable file (.qbm)
  • Mac company file (.dmg or .qbxxx)

You can restore the company file and start using the latest QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Updating QuickBooks Server for Mac

The steps to update QuickBooks on a server for Mac are as follows:

1. Browse to the QuickBooks (year) Server icon next to the Apple logo.
2. Choose Check for QuickBooks Server Updates.
3. Click Install Update.
   
   
4. Choose Install and Relaunch.

This way you can update the application without worries. However, you may get messages like No version of QuickBooks was found to update or the process failing. In such cases, read the following section.

Difficulties Installing the Update

The update might not advance to the next release number or errors might plague the situation. Fix these problems as follows:

Solution 1: Re-Download the Update

See if the release number advances after you try these steps a couple of times:

1. Open the QuickBooks menu. Choose Check for QuickBooks updates.
2. Click Install and Relaunch.

Try the next solution if this doesn’t work.

Solution 2: Receive Updates from the Download Site

Download QB Desktop for Mac updates directly from the website as follows:

1. Visit the Downloads & Updates page and choose the standard setup.
2. Opt for your county in the Select Country dropdown.
3. Pick your product from the Select Product dropdown.
4. In the Select Version dropdown, click the appropriate version (year).
5. Click Search, then select the Get the latest updates option.
6. Once the download is complete, open the file to install the update.
7. After installation, restart your Mac to apply the changes.

Summing Up

We hope this article helps you update QuickBooks Desktop easily. You need constant updates to ensure your application runs smoothly. The latest features for your work and robust security will fasten your process and make it efficient. The update process is not very complex, but if you keep encountering problems, it’s better to consult an expert.

FAQs

Why is it important to keep QuickBooks updated?

You need to keep updating the QuickBooks application so:

1. You can run the application without glitches, errors, and bugs
2. Improved security measures to keep sensitive data protected
3. New features to enhance the efficiency of your work
4. Better product overall

How often are QuickBooks updates released?

QuickBooks releases are updated regularly throughout the year. It is moving away from annual patches to a more progressive and frequent process. This way the security loopholes will be patched and functionality will enhance. These updates usually work like “slipstream updates” throughout the year.

Can I schedule automatic updates for QuickBooks?

Yes, you can set your QuickBooks program to update automatically as and when they are released. The steps include going to the QuickBooks Help menu and choosing the Update QuickBooks Desktop option. Then, set the schedule for automatic updates.

What should I do if I encounter problems during the QuickBooks Desktop update process?

If you encounter issues during QuickBooks update, you can take different steps on Windows and Mac. For Windows, you need to:

• Download the update again.
• End some of the crucial QuickBooks processes to give them a fresh start.
• Get updates directly from the official website.

For Mac, do the following to remove errors while installing updates:

• Download the updates again.
• Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
• Receive updates directly from the internet (official QB website). 

Are updates for QuickBooks free?

Yes, QuickBooks updates are free of cost. You need not spend a dime on these. However, if Intuit discontinues your version, then you won’t receive any updates. QB updates are free, upgrades are the ones where you have to pay money.