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?
C
ClairRudd80
January 24, 2026
Question

QuickBooks 2008 Desktop upgrade to 2020 Desktop Version

  • January 24, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 11 views

I have QB DESKTOP Premier Accountant Edition 2020, I have a client who is on QB DESKTOP 2008 version.
I need to update her data files for 4 entites so that I can do the conversion to my QB Online account.
Obviosuly the older versions are not available anymore and I don't need to purchase the older versions I just need a compatible trial version to jump the files to the most recent desktop version and then convert to QB Online.
Can anyone assist me?

1 reply

SIAB
SIAB
Level 2
January 24, 2026

You can purchase a 3rd party service to upgrade those company files. You can contact @Fiat Lux - ASIA directly via email for assistance.

T
ThomasJosephDQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
January 24, 2026

Hi Clair, thank you for reaching out here in the Community.

 

Yes, what you state is correct. Since the QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2008 is quite outdated compared to the version you are currently using, the company file must first be converted to an intermediate version, such as QBDT 2014 or 2017, before updating it to the 2020 version.

 

Currently, QuickBooks officially offers the QBDT 2024 trial version. To obtain an older trial version, you may need to purchase it from a retail store.

 

Alternatively, to assist with updating your client’s company file, you may consider using a third-party service to update it, as suggested by SIAB.

 

Please refer to this article for more information regarding company file compatibility: Company file compatibility with QuickBooks Desktop when upgrading.

 

Once done, you can move it directly to QuickBooks Online using the online tool. You can follow the steps from the section Move your company file to QuickBooks Online with an online tool in this article: Move your QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online.

 

Let us know if you need further assistance.

J
Jayson_EQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
January 26, 2026

Hello, Clair.

 

I’m following up to see if the solution we provided worked for you.

 

Did it resolve the issue, or are you still experiencing difficulties?

 

We're happy to assist further if you need any more help.

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