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L
lindak1119
Level 7
December 11, 2018
Solved

How to I find the version of a qbb backup file?

  • December 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 32 views

This is a much older version that I am trying to import into QuickBooks Pro 2017?

Best answer by Raywhite28

Unless you saved it in the name of the backup, you can't tell what version it came from.

You can't import it. A backup must be restored. Once restored open it & it should upgrade depending on how old it is.

3 replies

Raywhite28
Raywhite28Answer
Level 6
December 11, 2018

Unless you saved it in the name of the backup, you can't tell what version it came from.

You can't import it. A backup must be restored. Once restored open it & it should upgrade depending on how old it is.

M
marcdcpa
May 18, 2019

you can always upgrade to a higher version - watch out for anyone saying ABSOLUTE cannot be done.  If you have a 2017 desktop backup you can restore it to a 2017 or higher version and it does not matter if it is pro or enterprise.

J
James10
December 12, 2018

You cannot restore it unless you have the exact version of quickbooks that created the backup, and you have absolutely no way of determining (from even the Properties) what version of quickbooks created the backup.

 

So you are out of luck.

 

And then even if you can figure out what version of quickbooks was used to create the backup, you will have to buy the older version and it probably is not available, even from Intuit.

 

Sound crazy? You are right.

 

It is unbelievable to me that Intuit has not addressed these compatibility issues. In my view the Quickbooks software product should bear a large warning on the label disclosing each version of Quickbooks is completely incompatible with all of the others.

    qbteachmt
    qbteachmt
    Level 11
    December 13, 2018

    You don't need the same Year QB as the data file is from.

     

    "And then even if you can figure out what version of quickbooks was used to create the backup, you will have to buy the older version and it probably is not available, even from Intuit."

     

    You need the same year or newer, because the program will Restore, and also Update if need be.

     

    And any Pro or Premier File can be restored using either Pro or Premier. Enterprise restores any file, but it also Upgrades it to Enterprise, so there is no going back to Pro/Premier.

     

    And if the file is really old, you might need to update in interim jumps, because Intuit has a 3-year lifecycle for the program. Intuit would update an older file to QB 2019 for you, for instance.

     

    This is a False Notice: "In my view the Quickbooks software product should bear a large warning on the label disclosing each version of Quickbooks is completely incompatible with all of the others."

     

    That's never been true.

      D
      davidli
      March 5, 2019

      Sorry, but this is not your QB agent in Hong Kong told me. They said I could not simply convert the data of QB Pro 2016 to QB Pro 2019 on my own. I have to pay a them a fee (by quotation) to do it so that I can load the data to QB Pro 2019. I had the same experience a few years ago. Therefore, for so many years I just visited the products and left it with frustration.

      K
      KhimG
      Level 7
      December 13, 2018

      Hi, @James10.


      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm here to let you know that your opinion and feedback are greatly appreciated.

       

      Indeed, knowing the exact version of QuickBooks that created the backup will surely make it easier to restore the file. If you want to see this information added in the future, I recommend sending us your insight and opinion by going to the Help menu at the top and selecting Send Feedback Online.

       

       

      This way our Product Developers would know what you liked and what we can improve to make it better. Rest assured, I'll do the same thing on my end.

       

      We really do update a lot, so let us know. We may be able to see this in a later release.

       

      Should you need help, feel free to post here in the Community. I’m always here to help. Wishing you the best!

      J
      jerseyshoretax
      May 31, 2020

      Around 8 years ago all you had to do was hover over the backup filename in Windows Explorer and you would see the version used to create the file.

       

      So why was that functionality taken away?  And why would we need to submit feedback now to get Intuit to restore that functionality which effects every accountant at one point or another when working with client files.

      Seems counter "intuit"ive to me.

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