account holder

To fix this, ensure that your QuickBooks Desktop account is updated and that the file you want to open is a company file (.QBW). You cannot open other file types, like backups (.QBB) and portable files (.QBM), the same way.

Also, verify that your file is not compressed or encrypted. If it is, follow the steps below to fix it:

1. Right-click the company file and select Properties.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Clear the Compress and Encrypt checkboxes, then click OK.

If you still cannot open the file, we can proceed to the next solution. Do not save the desktop when you close QuickBooks, because having a large report or several windows set to open automatically can cause the system to freeze on startup.

You can visit this article for the detailed steps and the preceding fix if the second solution still does not work: Can’t open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to reply if you have more questions so we can assist you promptly.

​@jake2142 Can you open the sample file?