After Windows 10 update, you could have trouble opening the QuickBooks software. Many QB users frequently experience this problem, which prevents them from accessing their QuickBooks Company file (QBW). There are a few solutions that might help you fix the problem before contacting a skilled expert or Intuit assistance. Let’s first examine the root of the issue, though, before talking about these solutions.
Note: If you searched the QuickBooks site, QuickBooks Help, and Google all to no avail. Our apparently “error code” or “QuickBooks error code list” search of Intuit is too much for us to understand.
Reasons for QuickBooks Not Opening after Windows 10 Update
Following are two reasons why QuickBooks won’t open after Windows 10 update.
- An issue with Windows upgrades
- Compatibility issues between QuickBooks and Windows 10
- Incompatibility with Internet settings may cause the QB program to crash
Whatever the cause, launching QuickBooks can be annoying since it limits access to data until QB is corrected, which can be aggravating.
How to Fix QuickBooks Not Opening after Windows 10 Update?
Following are some workarounds you can try to resolve the ‘QuickBooks not opening after Windows update’ issue:
Solution 1 – Restore to a Previous Build (Version) of Windows 10
Several users reported that after restoring Windows 10 to an earlier version, they were able to open QuickBooks without issue. This will remove any apps or drivers that were installed after downloading upgrades and may have prevented QB from opening.
To restore to a previous Windows 10 version, follow these steps:
- Click the Windows Start icon, click ‘Settings.’ On the ‘Settings’ screen, click ‘Update & Security.’
Click the ‘Recovery’ tab from the left pane, and look for the ‘Go back to an earlier build’ section. Click on the ‘Get Started’ button and follow the window prompts.
After you’ve restored Windows 10 to an earlier build, re-install QuickBooks to see if it solves the problem.
The Advantages and disadvantages of This Method
This is a temporary fix, not a permanent one. You will also be unable to use apps released with the most recent Windows 10 update. You won’t be able to use Windows Mail or other apps after downgrading to Windows 8.1, for example.
Solution 2- Troubleshoot Compatibility
- In the Windows search bar, type QuickBooks. Once you have found the QuickBooks application, right-click on it, and then select ‘Open File Location.‘
- Select and right-click on the QB file, and then click ‘Properties.’
- On the Properties dialog box, click the ‘Compatibility’ tab, and from the ‘Run the program in the compatibility mode for’ drop-down box, select Windows OS (8.1/8/7).
- Click Apply, and then press the OK button.
Now try opening QB. If it doesn’t open, try the workarounds below.
The Advantages and disadvantages of This Method
Running in compatibility mode with an earlier version of Windows 8.1/8/7 would prevent you from accessing features available in the most recent Windows 10.x update.
Solution 3- Block QuickBooks Access to the Internet
Caution! This workaround necessitates preventing the QuickBooks executable file (QBW32.EXE) from connecting to the Internet. Disabling this QB feature may result in the loss of the QB installation and its data. So, before attempting this workaround, make a backup of your data.
Add a firewall rule to prevent the QuickBooks executable file (QBW32.EXE) from connecting to the Internet, and you should be able to launch QB normally. To do so, take the following steps:
- On the system where you’re getting the ‘QuickBooks not opening’ issue, open Control Panel, and then select Windows Firewall.
- On the Windows Firewall window, click ‘Advanced Settings’ from the left navigation pane.
- When the ‘Windows Firewall with Advanced Security’ window appears, click Outbound Rules.‘ Next, from the ‘Actions’ pane in the right, click the ‘New Rule’ option. The ‘Windows Firewall with Advanced Security’ window appears, click ‘Outbound Rules.’
- On the ‘Rule Type’ window, choose the ‘Program’ radio button, and then click the ‘Next’ button.
- On the ‘Program’ window, check the ‘This Program Path’ radio button, and then specify the following path in the program path box.
- Press the ‘Next’ button.
- On the ‘Action’ window, choose the ‘Block the connection’ option, and then click ‘Next.’
- On the ‘Profile’ window, ensure that the ‘Domain,’ ‘Private,’ and ‘Public’ options are selected, and then press the ‘Next’ button.
- On the ‘Name’ windows, assign an appropriate name to the newly created firewall rule (for instance, Block QB Internet Connection), and then click ‘Finish’.
- Exit the Windows Firewall window.
You won’t have any problems with the Windows upgrade once you’ve blocked QB from using the Internet.
The Advantages and disadvantages of This Method
This method works well if you’re accessing a QuickBooks data file on the same computer that’s running QuickBooks Desktop. However, this method will not work if the QB data file you want to open on the LAN is hosted by a different PC.
Solution 4 – Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
If none of the workarounds work for you, using QuickBooks built-in tools such as the QB Install Diagnostic Tool may help. The detailed steps are as follows:
Make sure to download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your machine before continuing with the steps below.
- Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- On the tool hub window, click the ‘Installation Issues’ tab.
- Click on the ‘QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.’
Note: The diagnostic tool can take up to 20 minutes to identify issues that prevent QB from opening. So, be patient and let the tool finish its work.
Once the tool has finished repairing your machine, restart it.
The Advantages and disadvantages of This Method
This does not imply that QB will open.
What Comes Next?
If the workarounds mentioned above do not resolve the ‘QuickBooks not opening’ issue, try contacting Intuit support. However, the problem could take days to resolve. As a result, expect some lag in accessing your QB data.
What Can You Do to Quickly and Efficiently Restore QuickBooks Data Files?
If you still can’t open QuickBooks after trying the above-mentioned workarounds, try restoring your QuickBooks data from the most recent backup file (QBB). If there is no backup, a professional QuickBooks file repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for QuickBooks software, may be of assistance. The software is intended for QB Pro Advisors and users to repair and restore QuickBooks Company files without risk of data loss.
Conclusion
If QuickBooks does not open after a Windows 10 update, try the workarounds discussed in this article in the same order. If you’re still unable to open QuickBooks, Stellar Repair for QuickBooks software can save you time and headaches by restoring the QuickBooks data file. The software’s straightforward and user-friendly interface makes repairing the Company file a breeze. It also aids in the recovery of all Company file (QBW) components.
However, if the error continues to be a nuisance, it is strongly advised that you contact our QuickBooks support team via our dedicated support line, i.e. You can contact us and have our US-based professionals resolve the problem on your behalf.