Mac 2024 Desktop backup for windows will not open in windows

I can see how you want QuickBooks Desktop for Mac backup to work in Windows, Mac720. I'm here to help and guide you through the process on how you can sort this out.

Opening a backup file from QuickBooks Desktop for Mac on a Windows platform can sometimes be challenging due to differences in the file formats and structures between the two operating systems.

You'll have to convert your QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows so you can open the file. But don't worry, you can still switch the file back to its original state QuickBooks Mac, just ensure that after the conversion the QuickBooks Accountant software won't do the following : 

• Hold off on installing any QuickBooks updates until you get your file back.
• Try not to enter anything new while your accountant has your file. This will prevent you from losing any records when you get your file back.
   

Once done, you can start moving the file. After you've updated QuickBooks for Mac, make sure to get your QuickBooks for Mac company file ready. To do so, search for memos with special characters. Follow the steps below on how you can do this:

1. Select the Reports menu and then Custom Transaction Detail Report.
2. From the Dates drop-down menu, select All Dates.
3. Double-click a transaction with a memo to open it.
4. Delete the special characters from the memo field and select Save.
5. Close the transaction.
6. Repeat the steps for all other transactions.
7. Re-sort your lists.
8. Go to File and select Utilities then Verify Data.

Next, move your company file to QuickBooks for Windows. Here's how:
 

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Mac as the admin.
2. Go to File menu and select Export. Select To QuickBooks for Windows.
   If you get a prompt to verify before you back up, select Verify.
3. Name the file and choose the folder to save it in. Then, select Save. Make sure you don't add special characters in the file name.
4. Enter and confirm your password, then select OK. Select OK again.
5. Move the file to your Windows computer. If the file is small enough, most people do this with a USB flash drive, online storage, or email.
6. Restore the file in QuickBooks for Windows.

For more details on the process, refer to this article: Move QuickBooks for Mac File to QuickBooks Windows. 

After you move your company file to the QuickBooks Desktop Windows version, you might want to create new company files. You can learn how you can copy and use accounts, lists, templates, and preferences from an existing company file. I've got this handy article for your guide: Create New Company Files From Existing Ones in QuickBooks Desktop.

If you have any other questions or concerns when opening your company file, you can always let us know so we can get back to you. We'll always be right here to help you. Have a great day ahead!

@Mac720 

Open the sample file and create the backup file for your accountant. Did they encounter the same problem?

When you created the backup to Windows copy, it makes you run a verify on the file.  Did that verify come back clean, or did it mention any problems?  You can also run a Verify on the file, just go to File > Utilities > Verify data.  If that comes back without any errors, you might want to check the QuickBooks.log file to see if anything is reported in there for problems (a C=44 is usually a problem with a transaction or multiple transactions).  Depending on if it finds any problems in the log file, those problems will need to be addressed first before you can create the backup to Windows copy.  The log file is located at the following location:

Macintosh HD\Users\(user name)\Library\Logs\QuickBooks\QuickBooks.log

If you do not see the Library folder (it may be hidden by the system), you can access it by going to the Finder and then select the Go menu and choose Go to Folder...  In there, type /Users/(your user name)/Library and it will take you to the folder, then you can navigate to the Log file and open it.