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F
FLBill
December 15, 2023
Question

Change Default QB 2023 Company File Location

  • December 15, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

When I create a new company QB is saving the newly created company file in the Temp folder under my user name:  C:\Users\myusername\appdata\local\temp\alphanumeric string.  The problem is that the Temp folder is cleared by Windows 11 and I am losing my company files.  These lost files are unrecoverable.

 

QB should be saving the company files to C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\Quickbooks\Company Files.  This folder is empty.  All my company files are being routed to the file I referenced in the first paragraph.

 

How do I change the default company file save location?

 

I've already lost two company files.  I moved a third company file to my desktop before Windows cleared the Temp folder.

 

QB's support could not understand my issue, for some reason.  She kept asked me to show her how I backed up files-this has nothing to do with backing up files-it is the company files (qbw) that are being saved or routed to an incorrect location.

 

Please help.  I am tired of recreating hours of lost work.

 

Thank you.

1 reply

J
jeanbiverly_
December 15, 2023

Let me guide you through changing the default location of your QuickBooks (QB) company file, @FLBill.

 

By default, QB saves the company file to C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\yourcompanyfile.qbw. To change the location where your company file is stored, here's how:

 

  1. Go to its current location.
  2. Right-click the file and select Copy.
  3. Navigate to the new place where you want to save it, right-click to an open area, and select Paste.
  4. Open your QuickBooks software.
  5. Choose Open or restore an existing company, then Open a company file.
  6. Click Next to proceed. A new window will appear.
  7. Within the window, go to the new location of your copied company file.
  8. Select the file to highlight it and click Open. Your company file will appear on the login screen.

 

Here's an article that explains how to move your company files to different locations, such as another folder on your computer, network, or another computer: Move your company files to another computer.

 

In case you want to update your company file, you can visit this article for guidance: Update your company files to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If you require further support in altering the default location of your QB company file, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our Community is always ready to lend a helping hand.

F
FLBill Author
December 15, 2023

Thank you for your reply.

 

My problem is that the QB program is saving my company files in a Temp folder that is deleted every time I sign out or restart my computer.  By definition the Temp folder is not a permanent place to store files. 

 

I want to know how to make the QB program route my company files to the proper location.

 

I know how to move files.  I want QB to save my company files in the proper, permanent location.

 

Please reread my original post if you don't understand my problem.

 

Thank you for replying.

 

 

 

A
AileneA
December 16, 2023

Hello, FLBill.

 

I'm here to explain why it saves in the temporary folder when you back up the file in Quickbooks Desktop.

 

In QuickBooks, if backing up your company file was not completed successfully. As a result, the backup file was saved in a temporary folder instead of the usual location. Once the backup process is finished, the files included in the backup will be safely stored in a designated area. After the backup is completed, the system will automatically delete these files from their original location to prevent data redundancy or confusion. 

 

To ensure the company file is saved in the correct folder, you must check your settings preferences thoroughly. Ensure the correct folder has been designated for the company file to be held in. Double-check that the settings have been configured correctly, including file-naming conventions or type specifications. These steps will ensure that you have an organized and efficient system for managing your company files.
 

Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the File menu, then choose Back up Company.
  2. Select Create Local Backup.
  3. Tap Options.
  4. Make your changes and click OK.

 

 



 

You can follow these steps in the article for more details on setting a local backup: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

 

Additionally, you can visit this resource to see what file types and extensions QBDT uses to store data: File types and extensions used by QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Stay in touch if you have more concerns about your backup file. The Community will surely assist you with this. Stay safe!

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