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How to Backup and Move a Company File in QuickBooks

Picture of Heather Palermo Heather Palermo : Apr 21, 2020 1:57:38 PM

How to Backup and Move a Company File in QuickBooks

 
Your QuickBooks company file is gold. Make sure you know how to back it up and restore it properly.

Many of us are spending this time at home working on home repairs we've been meaning to do or organizing paperwork we've been putting off. Now may be a good time to do some of that same type of work in your QuickBooks.

You may not think of your QuickBooks company file as being portable. It lives safely on the hard drive of your desktop and/or laptop computer. You wouldn't want it to be anywhere else, right? 

However, the most common reason businesses move these critical files is because they've purchased a new computer or they may also want to share their data. QuickBooks allows you to create a backup file that you can save to a USB drive or CD, or to another folder on your company's network. Once it's available at its destination computer (where a copy of QuickBooks has already been installed), you (or another recipient) will be able to restore it. And, while most of us are working from home at this time due to the current situation, it's a good possibility that you need your QuickBooks on another work station, separate from where you normally work.  

Note: These instructions were created using QuickBooks 2018. If you don't see what's being described here in your version, contact us.

Making a Backup

You shouldn't wait until you have to move a QuickBooks company file before backing it up, though. This is something you should be doing regularly. 

Before you start, make sure your copy of QuickBooks is updated, which shouldn't be a problem if you're set up with automatic updates. If you're not, and you've ignored those messages about updates that appear when you open QuickBooks, we can help you launch a manual update and configure QuickBooks to automatically update. 

With QuickBooks in Single-User Mode, open the File menu and hover over Back Up Company. Select Create Local Backup. You'll see this window: 

QuickBooks Online or Local Backup
You can save your QuickBooks backup copy locally or online.

Intuit offers a service called Intuit Data Protect ($99.95 annually) that allows you to back up your company file online (we can help you explore this if you're interested). Let's assume here, though, that you have a USB drive plugged into your computer and are ready for your backup. 

Click the button next to Local backup, then the Options button. In the window that opens, you'll select your destination location and answer a few questions about your backup. One of these gives you the option to get a reminder to back up your file every x times you close QuickBooks, should you choose to do manual backups. 

Click OK to return to the Create Backup window, then click Next. The following screen gives you the option to save your file and/or schedule future (automatic) backups. If you choose to simply save it now, check that button and click Next to verify the destination location and file name. 

Note: Before you save your backup file, give it a name that is different from your regular company file. Write down the exact file name and its location. 

Click Save. A small window will open displaying your progress, and you'll get a confirmation message when the file has been saved with a .qbb extension. You can now take the removable storage device to the destination computer, where QuickBooks should already be installed. 

Warning: If you want to schedule automatic backups by clicking on one of the two options in the Create Backup window, please consult with us first. Automated processes in QuickBooks can save time and effort, but when you're dealing with your irreplaceable company file, you must get it right.

Restoring a Backup File

Once that's done, open the File menu and select Open or Restore Company on the destination computer. This window will appear: 

Restoring a QuickBooks Backup
QuickBooks displays this window when you select File | Open or Restore Company.

Click the button in front of Restore a backup copy. Click Next and select Local backup. Then click Next again. Click the down arrow next to the Look in field and click on the location of your backup file to display its contents. Browse until you find the file (it should end in .qbb), then highlight it by clicking on it. Click Open. 

QuickBooks displays a window that asks where you want to restore your file. You'll click Next to find it in the Save Company File as window. The Save in field should point to your main QuickBooks directory (like QuickBooks 2018) and the File name field should show the correct file name. 

When everything looks correct, click Save. QuickBooks will convert your .qbb file to the standard QuickBooks file type, .qbw, and open it.

Care Needed

Losing your QuickBooks data, as you know, would be absolutely disastrous. But there may be occasions when you'll need to open a backup copy of your company file on a different computer. We would be happy to walk you through this the first time you do it; in fact, we highly recommend it. As always, we're available to work with you on any QuickBooks issues you're experiencing - or to get you up and running for the first time. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We remain here for you through these unprecedented times.