Skip to main content

Get 50% OFF QuickBooks for 3 months*

Buy now
Switch to QuickBooks and 70% off for 3 Months
Talk to Sales: 877-683-3280
Hours
Mon - Fri, 5am - 6pm PST
Sat - Sun, 7am - 4pm PST
Product support & help
Need help signing in?
M
mnalaboff
December 4, 2022
Question

Intuit Data Protect

  • December 4, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 18 views

I have data protect.  I use two devices for Quickbooks.  I have only been using one device for the last 8 months, but I would like to start using my second device again.  I was hoping that since one device has all the files backed up onto Intuit Data Protect, I could just reopen Quickbooks using Data Protect, but it is showing that my it has not been backed up for 8 months.  That's true on one device, but the other device was just backed up minutes ago.  So does data protect only work per device, but not with the license?  

    2 replies

    Q
    QueenCModerator
    Moderator
    December 4, 2022

    Hello there, @mnalaboff.

     

    I'm happy to assist you today so that you'll get to know how Intuit Data Protect works.

     

    Intuit Data Protect (IDP) is a backup service. You can back up your entire computer or just your QuickBooks files and folders. Once you set it up, it backups your data every day. 

     

    To answer your question, IDP works even when you're using a different device. You just have to consider the following:

     

    • Make sure your operating system is Windows 10 or higher.
    • The Windows user setting up Intuit Data Protect needs to have local admin rights to the computer. They need full access to all folders
    • You'll want to use a local file path on the computer. We don't support network drives you map. (This might be the reason why the second device isn't backed up with IDP. When switching to another device,  you need to make sure that it should access through the file path of the first pc where the IDP is set up).

     

    Additionally, you might want to consider browsing through these articles to fix common issues in using IDP:

     

     

    Let me know if you have other concerns about backing up your QBDT data file with Intuit Data Protect. I'm always ready to help. Take care!

    R
    roxy4
    March 12, 2026

    I have the same question but cannot find a definitive answer to it. When I was having problems with my data protect I called and an agent walked me though fixing it and I specifically asked if I could access the backups on any computer to make sure all my QB's were in sync if I were using a different computer other than the one I used Data Protect to back up my latest changes. I want to keep an eye on your question to see if someone from QB actually answers it definitively. Fingers crossed! 

    Z
    ZuzieGQuickBooks Team
    QuickBooks Team
    March 15, 2026

    Hello Roxy4. Intuit Data Protect (IDP) can only be set up on the host (server) computer. You will also need to ensure the software is fully set up and updated.

     

    • The Windows user setting up Intuit Data Protect needs to have local admin rights to the computer. They need full access to all folders

    • You'll want to install the full version of QuickBooks Desktop on the Server or the computer where you set up Intuit Data Protect.

    Important: You'll need to store files on your local area network. (We don't support Box, Google Sheets, and OneDrive.)

    • You'll want to use a local file path on the computer. We don't support network drives you map.

     

    Important: You can only run IDP on one computer on your network. Don't install it on multiple systems.

     

    If you have more questions or encounter any challenges, please don't hesitate to reply or start a new post. I’m here to help!

    Need QuickBooks guidance?
    Log in to access expert advice and community support instantly.
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement