This page outlines the reasoning behind the discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop.
What led to QuickBooks Desktop being discontinued?
Helping you stay compliant is our priority. With the recent changes to accounting and tax regulations, and with more on the horizon, we have decided to discontinue all QuickBooks Desktop services for our UK customers on 30 June, 2023. This includes all versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier and Enterprise.
Moving your data
Moving to QuickBooks Online
Thinking about moving to QuickBooks Online? Great! Before you make your decision, be sure to take a look at our product and feature comparison page to find the option that best suits your needs.
If you choose to use alternative providers and want to move your data, skip to 'Moving your data outside of QuickBooks Desktop'.
How do I set up users in QuickBooks Online?
QuickBooks Online lets you invite people to your books so you can work together and save time. When you add a user, you can manage their roles and limit their access to specific tasks.
Download and save your QuickBooks Desktop data
You can backup your QuickBooks data by using the data export tool. This tool downloads your company data onto your computer for safekeeping. However, you can't use the data export tool to move your data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.
Follow these steps to download and save your data.
Moving your data out of QuickBooks Desktop
If you're looking to transfer your data to a new financial management system, you may wish to consider using a data conversion service from an outside company. You may need access to your desktop software when working with a third party, if you currently don't have have access to the correct desktop software you can download, install and use this 30 day version of QuickBooks Desktop 2021.
Follow these steps to export your Desktop data so you have it ready when you use another program to manage your bookkeeping.
- Backup your QuickBooks Desktop data.
- Export your lists and create a detailed chart of accounts report, plus open transaction reports to help you set up.
- Download all your sales and purchase invoices, then complete the following:
- Go to Preferences and remove the period end date.
- Check any spelling and notification of changes made before you start – this will let you print without having to confirm multiple times.
- Select the invoices for the year you want to download.
Note: You can download the entire year. We recommend downloading invoices by month if you have more than 25 invoices per month. You can print or download the invoices as a PDF and save them in a folder
- Download and save copies of all your bank statements.
- In your new accounting system, enter the opening balances into your chart of accounts and import your customer and supplier lists.
- Finally, re-create or import your open transactions and adjust your open balances accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Subscription and access
Can I use the QuickBooks Desktop version for the US or Canada?
Unfortunately this isn't possible as UK company data files aren’t compatible with the QuickBooks version for US or Canada.
Where can I download the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop?
There will be no future updates, patches, or new versions of QuickBooks Desktop. After June 30, 2023, we will no longer support QuickBooks Desktop 2021 in the UK and Ireland.
Can I use QuickBooks Desktop if I have an outright licence?
Customers in the UK and Ireland using QuickBooks Desktop 2021 outright licences will be supported until June 30, 2023. After this date, support for QuickBooks Desktop will stop. This excludes installation and activation services.
Will I have read-only access to QuickBooks Desktop after it's discontinued?
You can backup your QuickBooks Desktop data with the data export tool. This tool lets you download your company data onto your computer for safekeeping.
Will I be able to access the last version that I am on after 30 June, 2023?
You can if you have an outright licence for QuickBooks 2015 or earlier versions.
Can I still buy a QuickBooks Desktop licence outright?
No, we have officially stopped selling outright licenses for all versions of QuickBooks Desktop in the UK since 2016.
If I have a perpetual licence, do I need to use the Data Export Tool?
If you have a licence you purchased via one off payment, either directly from Intuit or through a retail outlet like Staples or Curry's, You can keep access to your account after June 30, 2023.
Note: Older versions of QuickBooks Desktop, except QuickBooks Desktop 2021, have not had updates or security patches. After June 30, customer support will be limited for UK customers. This makes the risk of no updates even higher.
Moving your data
Can I move all my companies to QuickBooks Online at once?
Unfortunately no, but there is help available. Reach out to your accountant manager or contact us on 0808 239 4522.
How can I move my QuickBooks Desktop data?
You may want to explore using a data conversion service from an outside company. To export your Desktop data, you can follow the instructions for Moving your data out of QuickBooks Desktop.
Support
How are you supporting accountants who are not yet using QuickBooks Online Accountant?
Reach out to us today on 0808 168 9533 and we'll connect you with an expert who can help you with your account. We're here to help you find the right solution for your firm, and we're always happy to discuss your needs and expectations.
Why is QuickBooks Desktop still available in other countries?
The decision to discontinue QuickBooks Desktop is localised to the UK market only. This is due to a number of market-related factors, including the new Making Tax Digital for VAT rules, and regular updates to tax requirements. Plus, the rapidly growing demand for cloud-based applications is causing a decline in demand for desktop software.
More help
If you need additional help or have questions, or you require assistance at any point in this process,start a discussion with an expert in our QuickBooks Community.
Here are some helpful articles:
- Download your QuickBooks Desktop data
- Move lists and balances from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
- Move your stock
- Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop
- Resolve potential data issues
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