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Fix to the issue of Quickbooks won't open without Internet Explorer

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 20, 2021
30 replies
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I think that one of the Windows updates removed Internet Explorer from my Windows 10 computer because they are moving to Microsoft Edge. However, QB is behind the game and still requires IE. Some people have been having this issue for a while, but I just started having it a few days ago and have done A LOT of research and tried many things to try to fix it. I finally found instructions in Microsoft forums to get IE back on my computer that worked! I have posted instruction below, and I hope it helps others who are having this same aggravating problem!

If IE is completely gone from your computer, try this.

Click on Start then Settings. Go to Apps | Apps and Features. If you don't see Internet Explorer, click on Manage Optional Features then Add A Feature. You should be able to add or enable it. Restart your computer when done so it takes effect.

QuickBooks Desktop

Best answer by ShiellaGraceA

Thanks for joining us here, @KMagilavy.

I have some information about using other browsers. Currently, QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) only supports Internet Explorer 11.0. To update, please visit Microsoft's website.

After updating, make IE your default browser:

Open Internet Explorer.
Go to the Gear icon in the upper right corner (or click Tools).
Click Internet Options. Then, select the Programs tab.
Under Default Web Browser tap the Make Default button.
Click OK.

With the above steps and a supported operating system, you'll receive technical supports and security updates. Check out this guide for details: Upgrade Internet Explorer to open QuickBooks Desktop.

I'm also attaching this link if you need help with other tasks in QBDT. It has our general topics with articles: Browse all articles for QBDT.

Let me know if you still have questions or concerns with your data file. I'll be around for you. Take care and have a great weekend ahead.

JenoP

Thanks for sharing these steps and work around for enabling Internet Explorer, scotley.

We'll surely share this with other customers who have experienced the same issue. In the meantime, check out these articles about Internet Explorer settings in QuickBooks Desktop:

The Community is always here if you need anything else.

S

scotleyAuthor

Jeno,

You are welcome, but frankly, I don't want Internet Explorer as my default browser. I'm fairly certain there are very few people who still use Internet Explorer. And all of the steps I used that QuickBooks gave me did not work. If Windows updates removes IE from your computer because it is antiquated, there is no way into QB at all unless you use the above step to reinstall it. Yes, a bit frustrated with QB right now, like the others who have posted about this issue. My hope is that I can help relieve some frustration from others who was like me and not getting any answers.

K_Siman

Thanks, @scotley for your post and words. I agree that this will be helpful for many other customers experiencing the same issue. I can't say the need for Internet Explorer will change, but I'm more than happy to give this feedback to our developers.

Thank you again for taking the time to educate others. That's such an important part of the Community page!

We're always here if you have any questions. Have a great week. :)

L

LundDunn

Thank you so much for the instructions on how to fix this issue. Didn't realize QB needed such an antiquated browser in order for us to be able to open it. We've made sure that the default browser is either Google Chrome or Mozilla, we're not interested in using Edge or IE. Guess removing those 2 browser is next to impossible when programs are using them in the background.....go figure.

Thanks for your help!

B

Ben2053

I'd say it's an abomination that Quickbooks hasn't fixed this yet BTW, but in case it helps any other poor souls out there at the mercy of Intuit's ineptitude, the steps and solutions I've seen mentioned didn't work for me. The only one that finally got IE to actually activate again for me was Step 4 on this list from Microsoft:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/browsers/disable-internet-explorer-windows

N

nonsense1

DOES NOT WORK!

Darling Micro$oft made sure you will fail in this attempt with some of their sneaky updates over the weekend or Tuesday.

The "add feature" function either ignores your settings or returns an "install failed".

You cannot reinstall Internet Explorer 11.

Microsoft is just making sure that you will have to take what they decide you must like.

I did accounting last on Friday, August 13 and then left for the weekend.

Coming back Tuesday evening I wanted to prepare some needed statements for Wednesday morning.

I got hit with this message that QuickBooks (2014) needs Internet Explorer 6.0 to work.

Apparently users all the way up to QuickBooks 2019 have experienced the same.

(Please don't tell me I need to go to update QuickBooks so that Intuit can make some money delivering the same crock over and over with a few added needless bells and whistles every year.)

For a moment first I thought this was a prank message or a fluke, a glitch.

But no, it turns out that the program folder "Internet Explorer" has disappeared and so have the registry entries.

The registry entry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\IEXPLORE.EXE]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer\\IEXPLORE.EXE"
"Path"="C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer;"

It is the despotic arrogance of Microsoft to simply without a message, notification or your consent deleting Internet Explorer on your system as they no longer supported it and instead want to push their crappy "Edge".

Your best hope is to do a system restore back, in my case Friday the 13th, prior to these updates and all is okay again.

I feared the day coming in 2025 when Microsoft decides to end support for Windows 10.
Punishing all those who were not interested in this marketing push of Windows 11, being just a "reheated" souped-up bells and whistles minimum dual core minimum this and that bloatware of its predecessor.
Will Microsoft then in its despotic top down arrogance just going to render all Windows 10 machines as inoperable and useless by deleting the operating system? Or force update you to Windows 11?
Seriously!

Fiat Lux - ASIA

@nonsense1 wrote:
I got hit with this message that QuickBooks (2014) needs Internet Explorer 6.0 to work.

@nonsense1

Try reinstalling your QBD 2014 in compatibility mode Win 7 on your Win 10. Half of our team has been running QBD 2011, 2013, and 2015 on Win 10 v20H2 without any issue to date.

N

nonsense1

Thanks!

For now I rolled back to a restore before "Friday the 13th" and a ll seems to work again, so far...

Will keep your advice in mind!

L

Lavrakas

Add the IE11 App did not work for me. It says Install Failed, with no explanation why. I cannot run my QB Desktop 2021.

J

jamespaul

Hello, Lavrakas.

I have a couple of solutions to help you resolve the failed installation message when adding Internet Explorer 11.

There might be some settings that prevents you from adding Internet Explorer 11 to your system.

Make sure you're logged in as an admin user in Windows, then add IE11 again.

Another thing to do is to turn off your firewall or antivirus software temporarily. If you need help with this, I'd recommend contacting an IT guy.

If you still can't install Internet Explorer 11, you'll want to contact Microsoft's support channel. They'll help you install the program, so you can open and run QuickBooks Desktop.

After successfully adding Internet Explorer, do you need help managing your financials in QuickBooks? We have a bunch of articles to help you with reconciliation, banking or reports. Check out these topics and look for an article:

If you have other concerns regarding QuickBooks Desktop or its processes, you can always reply here. I'll get back to you as soon as possible, and lay down the details and steps.

E

EmilyJackson5

You literally just saved my sanity! Thank you for posting this!

O

Olympic Peninsula

Thank you. This worked for me perfectly. Wonder why QB Support doent't show your simple steps to get us back working.

M

mcprop14503

As noted in another post by Intuit (on this Q&A Site):

"Nice to have you in the Community. Allow me to guide you on exporting from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

The reason why your gear icon is disappearing is that Internet Explorer is discontinuing support with our products. Meaning Internet Explorer 11 and Safari 10 will no longer work with QuickBooks due to the browsers using an older technology. You can reference this article about the Discontinued support if you would like more information."

M

MotherOfBoxers

Scotley, I think I love you! I have wasted literally hundreds of hours over the last couple of weeks trying to get back into my Quickbooks due to this problem, and now I finally have, thanks to your help. Bless you!!!!

S

Summer H

Help, after following the instructions to add the app, it continues to tell me app failed and will not load. Any idea if I need to change a setting somewhere? As of now I can not use my quickbooks.

A

Archie_B

Thank you for responding in this thread, Summer H.

I'd like to help and make sure you can use your QuickBooks Desktop.

After you added Internet Explorer, you also have to make sure to update it the latest version of Internet Explorer, IE 11. If you're using Internet Explorer 10 or or versions older. You can check out this link to help you update it: Upgrade Internet Explorer to open QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, you need to set Internet Explorer to be your default browser.

Here's how:

Open Internet Explorer.
Select the Gear icon in the upper right corner (or click Tools).
Click on Internet Options.
Go to the Programs tab.
Under Default Web Browser click the Make Default button.
Select OK.

You may now proceed with the next steps on this article under Verify Internet Explorer Settings: Verify and Troubleshoot QuickBooks Desktop and Internet Explorer settings.

I'm adding this article just in case you'll have trouble accessing QuickBooks Desktop: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

Get back to me and click the Reply button below if you still need further assistance. I'll keep an eye on your response. Have a good day.

L

Lisa in Iowa1

You can no longer download IE 11. I've tried to get it directly from Microsoft and they have completely disabled it. Quickbooks needs to fix their program to use ANY web browser (or someone's "default"). Internet Explorer is no longer on people's computers after the most current "update" and you can no longer download it. Period.

Please repair Quickbooks so we can open our programs and get back to business.

Thanks much

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