Intuit Data Protect - hours to backup

I've got you covered on how to update your Intuit Data Protect to the latest version in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) and why it takes time to back up your files, @jskifton.

It is important to update the Intuit data protection to keep the data updated. This is crucial as it ensures that you are protected from internet risks to provide better security, faster performance, and seamless information security.

Yes, Intuit Data Protect backup your entire computer for your QuickBooks files and folders. To have a smooth backup experience. Here's helpful info with requirements to run Intuit Data Protect before set up.

• 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 install the full version of QuickBooks Desktop on the Server or the computer where you set up Intuit Data Protect.
• 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.
• For security purposes, make sure you update the Norton Life lock certificate every six months. Just log out and back into Intuit Data Protect.
• Add access to Intuit Data Protect secure sites in Internet Explorer.

Additionally, running QuickBooks on a system that lacks sufficient processing power or RAM can lead to QuickBooks Desktop's slow performance. If you decide to upgrade your server/workstations, consider the following:

• Ensure the computer that stores the file is a physical computer (not a service like Dropbox).
• Fill all of the RAM slots with the highest capacity chips.
• A 64-bit computer and operating system.
• A fast clock speed of 2.2 GHz or more.
• A fast hard drive rotational speed (for example, 7,500 or 10,000 rpm, or a solid-state drive).
• A fast Network Interface. A 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) card on your server can increase bandwidth.

If you have computers with different link speeds and duplex settings for their NICs, the network can slow down. To avoid this, reset all of your NIC's Link Speed and Duplex settings to an automatic setting:

1. Select Start then type Control Panel in the search. (In newer Windows versions, you need to select Settings, then type Control Panel.)
2. Double-click System then select the Hardware tab.
3. Select Device Manager.
4. Select Network adapters to expand the list.
5. Right-click the NIC and select Properties.
6. Select the Advanced tab.
7. Select Property then select the Link Speed & Duplex option (the option name might be different).
8. Select the Value dropdown arrow, then select Auto (the option name might be different).
9. Select OK and close the window.

For a comprehensive understanding of the process, I recommend consulting your IT expert and refer to this article: Manage your computers to fix QuickBooks Desktop performance issues.

In addition, find out what your computer needs for the best experience in QuickBooks Desktop 2024: System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2024.

Feel free to reply again if you have more queries about updating your system and managing your backups. We're always here to help.

@jskifton 

You should move all inactive company files to a cloud drive. Only use IDP to back up active files. IDP uses old technology to perform backup services. Don't expect too much from its reliability.