How to Use QuickBooks Clean Install Tool to Fix Installation & Performance Issues

QuickBooks has been the top choice for most business owners and entrepreneurs because of its cutting-edge accounting features. The QuickBooks clean install tool is available for free and can be used to clear all the files from the hard drive and the registry on your system. This tool corrects the application’s unrecoverable issues; it is also referred to as a repair tool.

Before you use the clean install tool, you have to uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop (Windows or MAC) accounting software from your system. This will require you to have admin rights, so you will need the authentication details for an admin account. The clean install tool can then clear all of the leftover files from the system and remove any QuickBooks-related registry files.

What is the QuickBooks clean install tool?

When you want to fix specific problems with the QuickBooks Desktop application that remove problems deep within the QuickBooks installation, you can do a QuickBooks Clean Install. It resolves many errors you could run into when using QuickBooks, as well as issues with how the program operates. QuickBooks Clean Install Tool does a clean installation by renaming your QuickBooks folders, fixing problems with company files, and removing old installation folders to make room for new files.

Before reinstalling QuickBooks using the clean install tool, remember to

To avoid any file or data loss, there are a few essential procedures that must be completed before proceeding with the Clean Install of QuickBooks Desktop.

• It would be best if you created a backup of your company data to be on the safe side.
• Data from QuickBooks should be backed up to a flash drive. It will guarantee that the data is not lost in an emergency.
• Once the QuickBooks desktop application has been successfully removed, you will need to have the license and product number available for reinstallation.
• Be sure you have the installer for your QuickBooks Desktop version.

Which Problems Can the QuickBooks Clean Install Utility Tool for Windows Fix for You?

• If a QuickBooks company file is missing, can you fix the errors you encounter?
• Resolving display and template problems is possible.
• QuickBooks unrecoverable errors may be fixed with its assistance.
• Resolving QuickBooks Run-time errors is another benefit.

How to Use QuickBooks Clean Install Tool for Windows

The following steps are necessary to use the QuickBooks Clean Install tool properly:

• Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop
• Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop application
• Rename QB Installation Folders to Completely Uninstall QuickBooks
• To Tackle the Error while Renaming the Folder

Step 1: Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop application

To start with a clean install, follow these steps to uninstall QuickBooks from your device:

• To open the Run command window, use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R.
• In the Run box, you have to type Control Panel, then hit Enter or click OK.
• Click on Uninstall a Program after selecting Programs and Features.
• Find QuickBooks in the list of installed programs, then double-click it.
• To continue with the uninstallation, select the Uninstall/Change option and select Uninstall.
• To completely uninstall QuickBooks Desktop from Windows, you have to follow the on-screen instructions.
• Then you have to click Next. Log out of the server and then sign back in as an Administrator if you are unable to view this option.
• Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and enter the following command to end the QBDB service: sc remove QuickBooksdb##, where ## is the version (28 for 2018, for example).
• Go to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users in Computer Management and delete the QBDataServiceUser##.
• You have to restart the server.

Step 2: Rename QB Installation Folders to Completely Uninstall QuickBooks

Take the following steps to completely remove QuickBooks from the system:

• First, you have to confirm that Display Hidden Files and Folders is enabled in Windows.
• Press Windows + E on your keyboard to launch Windows File Manager.
• Go to the installation folder for QuickBooks, which is often found at:
  • C:\ ProgramData\ Intuit\ QuickBooks
  • 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks
  • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks
  • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
• Select Rename with a right-click on the QuickBooks folder.
• After entering the folder name, you have to type OLD and attempt to reinstall QuickBooks.

Step 3: To Tackle the Error while Renaming the Folder

• To access Task Manager, you either have to right-click on the Windows Taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
• To sort processes alphabetically, you have to use the Image Name column heading under the Process tab.
• Select the End Process option when you right-click the QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, and Qbw32.exe files.
• When the notification “Warning: Terminating a process can cause undesirable results” appears, you have to click “Yes.”
• Once again, you have to try renaming the QuickBooks folder.

Step 4: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

After you have uninstalled QuickBooks and cleared all registry files with the help of the QuickBooks clean install tool, you can move to reinstall the software on your system. An important thing to note here is that you should prepare the installation files before you choose to uninstall the program from your system.

Here’s everything you will need to prepare to install QuickBooks Desktop and activate it on your system:

• Check the system requirements for your version of QuickBooks Desktop.
• Download the setup for your edition of box text art.
• Retrieve the product and license numbers required to activate the accounting software.

If you don’t have your license and product numbers with you, then you can go back to your Intuit account and check for the products that you have purchased in the past. Choose the edition of QuickBooks that you are reinstalling and note down the product and license number required to activate the product. If you purchased the software from a third-party vendor, then you can contact them or find the product and license number on the CD/DVD cover for the installation disc.

Now, let’s come to the installation of this software. As you are prepared to install the software on your system, you can proceed with the steps provided below:

• Launch the setup for your version of QuickBooks Desktop.
• Follow the onscreen instructions and agree to the terms and conditions mentioned to proceed with the installation.
• Enter your product and license numbers required to activate the accounting software, and click on Next.
• Choose one of the two options provided below:
  •  Express install
    • Click on Express and choose Next.
    • Click on install.
    • Choose Open QuickBooks when the installation completes.
  • Custom and network install
    • Click on Custom and Network options.
    • Choose Next.
    • Choose additional options to configure the accounting software as per your requirements.
    • Click on Change the Install Location.
    • Click on Browse, then choose the directory that you want to install the software in.
    • Click on Next, then Open QuickBooks.

QuickBooks Clean Install Tool for MAC

Look at how you can clean install QuickBooks on Mac:

Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks for Mac

The Uninstall process goes as follows:

• You have to close QuickBooks for Mac.
• Then you have to go to the Finder menu on your Mac desktop, and then you have to click on Go.
• Then you have to select Applications.
• Now, find the QuickBooks for Mac icon, and then you have to drag it to the Trash.

Step 2: Remove User and System PLIST QuickBooks files

Remove the User and System PLIST files to return references to their original configurations. Upon reinstallation, it will deactivate your QuickBooks for Mac products. For every folder, you have to follow these steps.

User PLIST

• Open the Finder menu on your desktop and then you have to select Go.
• Then you have to hold the option key, then you have to select Library.
• You have to open the Preferences folder.
• Locate any PLIST files that have “QuickBooks” and your version in the file name; delete them. Make sure to remove EVERY file that contains the string “intuit.QuickBooks20XX” (XX stands for the version year in your case).

System PLIST

• Open “Macintosh HD” from the desktop icon or a new Finder window.
• Go to the “Library” folder and then the “Preferences” folder.
• Find the PLIST files that include “QuickBooks” and your version in the file name, then delete them. Ensure that EVERY file that contains “intuit.QuickBooks20XX” is deleted (XX stands for the year of your version).
• Empty the trash.

Step 3: Restart Your Mac

You have to perform a standard restart of your Mac.

Conclusion

The QuickBooks Clean Install Tool is one of the most effective solutions for resolving stubborn installation, update, and performance issues. It ensures your QuickBooks Desktop runs smoothly by completely removing damaged components and allowing a fresh start. Always back up your data before proceeding, and if you face difficulties reinstalling or reactivating your software, the BigXperts QuickBooks Support Team can guide you through a safe and error-free clean installation process.

Frequently Asked Questions