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marcia1
Apr 1, 2019 5:23 PM UTC
Solved

error message

error message:  The file you specified cannot be opened  Make sure that it is not currently being used by another program or a read-only file.

The Windows error was "The file exists"

MaryLandT
MaryLandTAnswer
Apr 1, 2019 6:47 PM UTC

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, @marcia1.

 

This error appears if the file is read incorrectly on a Windows computer.

 

I have just the steps for you to fix this issue.

 

Step 1: Close the program and restart your computer. Then, right-click QuickBooks Desktop icon and select Run as the Administrator.

Step 2: Make sure to download the latest product updates to ensure you have the most recent update of QuickBooks.

 

If the error still appears, you can try to toggle the User Control settings depending on your Windows version. You can go through this article for the detailed steps: Resolve the file you specified cannot be opened errors.

 

You can now get rid of the error message. Please keep me posted if there's anything I can help you with your QuickBooks. I'm always around here in the Intuit Community whenever you need further assistance.

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41 replies

MaryLandT
MaryLandTAnswer
Apr 1, 2019 6:47 PM UTC

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, @marcia1.

 

This error appears if the file is read incorrectly on a Windows computer.

 

I have just the steps for you to fix this issue.

 

Step 1: Close the program and restart your computer. Then, right-click QuickBooks Desktop icon and select Run as the Administrator.

Step 2: Make sure to download the latest product updates to ensure you have the most recent update of QuickBooks.

 

If the error still appears, you can try to toggle the User Control settings depending on your Windows version. You can go through this article for the detailed steps: Resolve the file you specified cannot be opened errors.

 

You can now get rid of the error message. Please keep me posted if there's anything I can help you with your QuickBooks. I'm always around here in the Intuit Community whenever you need further assistance.

    kcroy
    Feb 1, 2020 4:35 AM UTC

    I just want to bump this. I wish it had been the top hit on google, because it took me an hour to get here. Run As Administrator. This was necessary after I ran an update.

      Heating01
      Feb 25, 2020 8:29 PM UTC

      This error message has been causing problems for about 8 months now.  It appears on all of our QuickBooks users logins and creates chaos for people who have nothing to do with payroll; nor do they have payroll rights. I've usually advised them to keep selecting ok or try holding down the enter tab until it finally completes. Many times their computers just get completely locked up and require a hard shut down only to have to repeat the process even though I may have gotten through and downloaded the update through my login on my computer. I often end up needing to go to each desktop to perform the run as administrator "fix", which is only temporary until the next payroll update comes through. Please find a permanent fix for this issue.  Thank you.

      MariaSoledadG
      MariaSoledadG
      Feb 25, 2020 9:00 PM UTC

      Hi Heating01,

       

      We'll want to ensure use QuickBooks without any error.

       

      You can download the QuickBooks Tool Hub to help fix this.

      1. Close QuickBooks.
      2. Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub file. Save the file somewhere you can easily find it (like your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop).
      3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
      4. Follow the on-screen steps to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
      5. When the install finishes, double-click the icon on your Windows desktop to open the tool hub.

      Once done, use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

      1. Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
      2. In the tool hub, select Installation Issues.
      3. Click QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. Let the tool run. It can take up to 20 minutes.
      4. When the tool finishes, restart your computer.

      Here's an article for more information: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

       

      For more information about update errors, please check out this article: Fix QuickBooks Desktop Update Errors.

       

      Let me know if you have any other concerns about QuickBooks. I'd be glad to help.

      SunshineBe77829
      May 4, 2020 8:59 PM UTC

      After downloading and running the diagnostic tool, I'm still getting the error message of

      "The file you specified cannot be opened. Make sure that it is not currently being used by another program or a read only file. The Windows error was 'The system cannot find the path specified.".

      As another user said, I can click on OK dozens of times and it will eventually go away, but this is not ideal. I don't know if it's going to work! I moved our QB Desktop 2012 to a Win10 machine. Did I not move the files correctly? 

      I then get a message of Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request." 

      Please help me understand if I've moved this correctly to the new computer!

      ischram
      Nov 29, 2020 3:06 PM UTC

      We have the same problem. Our hard drive crashed, replaced the hard drive, reinstalled Windows 10 and Office 365. Installed QB Pro 2012. Each time I open the company file, I get the same message as every body else "The file you specified cannot be opened............The Windows error was 'the system cannot find the path specified'".

      I performed the Quickbooks Tool Hub repairs. Did not fix the problem.

      The only thing that works is to click 20 times like a woodpecker on the "ok" button. After 10 "OK" I get a new message "The Windows error was 'access denied'". The Pop Up error messsage window  reappears after half an hour.

      Please help.

      Thanks, 

      Fiat Lux - ASIA
      Fiat Lux - ASIA
      Nov 29, 2020 4:17 PM UTC

      @ischram 

      Try reinstall your QBD 2012 in compatibility mode Win 7 on your Win 10.

        MirriamM
        Nov 29, 2020 4:27 PM UTC

        Hi there, @ischram.

         

        I appreciate you letting us know the result of the troubleshooting steps you've performed on your end. I want to ensure this issue is resolved, so you can get back to business.

         

        Currently, there's an open investigation where customers are getting the error you encounter. Our engineers are currently researching why these errors are occurring. They are requesting log files and system details from users that are experiencing these errors. That said, I recommend you contact our QuickBooks Customer Care Team if you haven't yet. They can add you to our list of affected users, and you'll receive an email notification once an update is available.

         

        Once requested log files and systems details are sent, here's some resolutions steps that you can try:

         

        Solution 1. Run as Administrator:

        1. Open the Windows Start menu.
        2. Type “QuickBooks” into the search.
        3. You should see your results listed in the Search window.
        4. Right-click on the QuickBooks version and year you wish to open.
        5. Select Run as administrator.
        6. Run the payroll update.
        7. Once complete, close QuickBooks and open it normally (not running as admin).

        However, if the error persists, proceed to Solution 2 on this article: How to fix payroll errors: “The file you specified cannot be opened” and “The file exists”.

         

        Please let me know how things go on your end. I'll be here to keep helping. Have a great day.

          Thall2201
          Feb 21, 2021 7:24 PM UTC

          I was trying to connect my Square to QB. I found All of the prompts to be clear in linking the two accounts until I hit connect and received this message: Can not find or create an account for square tips. I used every item in the drop down boxes but still it would not go through. I then received an email saying that my square account is connected to Qb please advise 

          MJoy_D
          MJoy_D
          Feb 21, 2021 10:01 PM UTC

          I'm here to help you out and fix the Square Tips error message, @Thall2201.

           

          Are you trying to sync Square to your QuickBooks Online (QBO)? If so, it looks like the Square Tips setting is disabled in your Accounts and settings page. This is why you're encountering the error message.

           

          To resolve it, you'll want to enable it:

          1. Click the Gear icon, then select Account and settings. 
          2. Go to the Advanced tab.
          3. Click the Chart of Accounts section.
          4. Turn Square Tips to on.

          Here's everything that you need to know about Square and QuickBooks Online: Connect your Square account to QuickBooks Online.

           

          I'm always here if you need more help with your Square transactions. Take care and have a wonderful day!

          landrdist
          Mar 15, 2023 6:50 PM UTC

          ARE ANY OF YOU CONSTANTLY GETTING ERROR MESSAGES, WHEN YOU TRY TO CREAT INVOICE, OR TRY TO DELETE AN INVOICE.

           

          IT'S RIDICULOUS !!!

           

          IVE SPENT OVER 8 HOURS ON THE PHONE WITH AN IDIOT AGENT TRYING TO CONVINCE ME HE CAN HELP ME FIX SOMETHING THEY UNDERSTAND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.  IT TEAM ISNT FIXING THESE ISSUES FAST ENOUGH!!

          QUICKBOOKS ADVANCED ONLINE $200.00 PER MONTH FOR CRAPY SERVICE!!!! AND THEY DONT CARE TO LOOSE YOU AS A CUSTOMER

           

          Daniela_A
          Daniela_A
          Mar 15, 2023 7:41 PM UTC

          Thanks for bringing this to our attention, @landrdist.

           

          Please know that this is not the impression we want you to experience. 

           

          As I have pulled up your case. I can see that there is still an ongoing investigation into getting an error message when creating or deleting an invoice. Rest assured that our engineers are doing their best to fix it as soon as possible. 

           

          I know you've already reached out to our Customer Care Support team, I would still recommend contacting them again so you'll be added to the list of affected users. This way, you'll receive email updates on the investigation's status and be notified once it's been resolved. 

           

          Here's how:

           

          1. Click the (?) Help icon in the upper right-hand corner of the dashboard.
          2. Select Talk to a Human.
          3. Enter INV-72639
          4. Click I still need a human.
          5. Select Contact Us to connect with our live support.
          6. Choose Get a callback.

           

          I've also attached a link you can refer to learn how to personalize invoices and other sales forms: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

           

          I appreciate your patience as we work through this. If you have any other concerns, please don't hesitate to drop a comment below. Take care!

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