Opening old desktop file

I understand how challenging it must be to retrieve information from an old desktop file, Suzanne. Please know I'm committed to providing you with the support you need during this process to ensure you can successfully open the file and resume your work without further delay. I'll also provide clarification on the specific action that QuickBooks requires from you.

In QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), if you are attempting to open a backup company file created with an older version of the software, it's important to note if it has been restored to the latest release of QBDT, it will need to be updated. This is necessary because QuickBooks regularly introduces new features, enhancements, and improvements. Older data may not be compatible with the most recent updates.

Since you were prompted with a message saying your admin needs to "update the company file", you'll need to reach out to this user and let them follow the steps below to proceed. Here's how: 

Prep your company file.

1. Open your original version of QuickBooks. Then, open the company file you want to update.
2. Press F2 to open the Product Information window.
3. Look in the File Information section. Make a note of where you save your company file on your computer.

After you update your company file to QuickBooks 2024 or Enterprise 24.0, you’ll need to reset the passwords for all non-admin users to a temporary one. When ‌non-admin users sign in, they’ll be prompted to set a permanent password.

Then, update your company file.  

1. Make sure all users sign out of your company file.
2. Open your new version of QBDT.
3. Go to File and select Open or Restore Company.
4. Click Open a company file, then hit Next.
5. Find your company file. Tap it and pick Open.
6. Sign in to your company file as the admin user.
7. Press Update Now.
8. Click Done.

For further details, refer to this article: Update your company files.

If you have additional questions regarding this concern, fill me in by posting a comment below, Suzanne. The measures outlined above are essential to keep your financial data accurate. By keeping your company file updated, you can avoid potential compatibility issues and ensure your accounting practices align with the newest standards and functionalities. 

@suzannek1 

Which QB Desktop year version did you use to open the file last time?

Which year version do you have now?

RE: I keep getting a message that the admin needs to "update the company file". This makes no sense to me. You don't update a file. A file is what it is.

A file is 'what it is'?

Every year, when Intuit publishes a new version of QuickBooks, it uses a new file format to handle the new data and other changes for that year.

If a new version is used to open a company file from an older version, it is updated first to the new file format. Only the Admin user can do that.

The trigger for the message is that you're not logging into the file as the Admin user, but as a different user.  To update the file, login to the file as the Admin user.