Question

Is anybody running QBD on a virtual machine (like Parallels)

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
September 15, 2022
3 replies
0 views

Hi,

I just learned the hard way that there are limitations when running QBD on a virtual machine.

I run QBD 2020 Prem on W11 Pro since it came out on a Parallels VM. I installed the various patches up to R14 and everything is running fine.

After I wanted to download Capital One credit card transactions I was forced to install the latest patches (i.e. R15), but I ran into the problem that as soon as the company file desktop was displayed QB shutdown without warning nor error message. Happened 9 out of 10 times.

Going back to R14 everything works correctly but I could not download the Capital One CC transactions any longer.

I contacted QB support but after several "unfruitful" sessions it was determined that QBD should not be run on a VM. According to support running it on a VM is not supported.

To my surprise, there are no trace tools build in or can be run that collects data for analysis to find out where exactly and why QB just shuts down.

I ran the various test programs from QB Tools Hub but to no avail. R15 does not run on my VM at all. What a disappointment.

Just to check I installed my very old QBD 2009/2010/2011 on a new Parallels VM with W11 and did not have any problems whatsoever.

My question to the community is, is anybody running QBD on a VM and are you having any issues? What patch level are you using? Are you downloading CC transactions?

This is rather frustrating as I am forced to buy a Windows PC just to run QBD. I also have a hard time understanding why everything worked just fine till R14 then does no longer work with R15.

I would appreciate any experience, feedback or comment you have with QBD and VMs.

Thanks

Gerd

QuickBooks Desktop

katherinejoyceO

Hi there, @gerdgoebel.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience in the Community. I understand the need to run QuickBooks on a virtual machine.

There are various types of networks that can be run in QuickBooks. However, running on a local native installation of Windows or macOS like Virtual Servers/Virtual Machines aren't recommended.

You can visit this article for more insights about recommended networks for QuickBooks and check the lists of networks to help you decide which one to use.

The following articles below covers Bank Feeds in QuickBooks for Windows. Feel free to browse them all to get more information and guidelines on how connected online banking accounts works:

Let me know if you still have anything in mind about installing QuickBooks on hosted environment. I'm always around to be your guide.

G

gerdgoebelAuthor

Thanks for the network link, katherinejoyceO,

when I read not "recommended" it means to me that I probably should not run it in a virtual machine. Recommendation is a suggestion, not a clear message that it does not run or it is not supported when running it on a VM. That would make it very clear that I run QB on my own risk, and there would be no support.

Why can't Intuit clear about it.

Further, with patch 15 Intuit introduced an "enhanced" bank feature that unfortunately I need for Capital One, where my CC transaction seem to be routed through Intuit. There is a new popup preparing the download of the CC transaction.

In previous QB version I never had something like this, all my CC worked just like the download of my bank transactions.

In any case, even though VMs are available for the longest time, are reliable and work with lots os apps, I wonder why Intuit still does not want QB to be run on a VM.

Fiat Lux - ASIA

@gerdgoebel

I don't recommend to run any supported QBD version on Win 11 or Win 10 Pro for the time being. Can you use the same license key to install Win 10 Home instead? Last week we helped our client buy a $50 Win 10 Home license to run QBD 2021 on Parallels.

G

gerdgoebelAuthor

Hi Fiat Lux - ASIA,

can you substantiate why I should not use a Windows Pro version? I have not seen any "recommendations" from Intuit as to what Windows versions should be used.

And what's the problem with W11? Its out long enough, thus, I am no longer on the "bleeding edge".

I never had a Home version and as a business I always had Pro versions, and they worked for me without a problem with all my Windows apps.

Fiat Lux - ASIA

When IE11 was discontinued earlier this year, I saw a lot of issues being reported in the community. Most of the problems are about running the supported QBD version on Win 10 Pro. Regarding Win 11, they are slow to patch QBD whenever a new operating system is released in the market. You can install the trial license for QBD 2021 to compare with your existing QBD 2020.

G

gerdgoebelAuthor

Here is my frustrating experience with QB support.

First of all I already had done the DB rebuild, ran QB Tools Hub Fix my program and QB Program Diagnostics Tool, but no errors where found.

I called QB support and spoke to a tech. support person. He was friendly and tried to help, even did a screen share, we ran the above steps again. He did some internal research but did not come up with anything.

Then support contract was discussed, which I did not see I need one, as I think I called only twice for support in 2 years. Subsequently I had to pay for one time support.

Then it was suggested to have my IT guys check my PC (remember my R14 version was running just fine). Then it was suggested to get my company file checked. Next day I talk to the DB tech. support person, but they basically did not find anything either.

That took place over 3 days, but ultimately, no reason for my issue was found, no solution was provided and I really feel it was a waste of money.

I also want to point out that neither the regular nor the DB tech. support person saw a problem in running QB on a VM or on W11.

So for the last 3 weeks I did my Capital One transaction via download and import into QB.

Yesterday, I ran a program update again. It downloaded lots of updates, and to my surprise my issue was gone as well. So, obviously something change in all those updates fixed my issue as well.

I understand why there are lots of negative comments about support in the forum. It really depends on who you get on the phone when calling support. My first experience (long time ago) was very pleasant, the lady did screen share, helped with my issue and everything was resolved. No questions about needing a support contract, nor "did you consider using QBO", nor having your PC checked by IT. She just was helpful and wanted me to be satisfied with her support.

J

Jon_Kelly

I've run quickbooks on vm's using Linux servers for years, many years, like 20 now. Have had no issues what so ever. Many different versions of Quickbooks, from simple to Enterprise. I use Libvirt, and qemu. I simply create a Windows vm, that runs on libvirt, then remote onto the server and install Quickbooks. Once data is in place, shares created and that's it, users logon to network, map the drive, go to work. Updates, windows or intuit, no issues.

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