One of the time-saving solutions for many QB Desktop issues is to reinstall QuickBooks Desktop using the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool. Clean installation of the QuickBooks application may fix various issues in your software. So, you need to follow the entire process of Clean Installation. It includes un-installation of the QuickBooks Desktop for Windows, renaming the installation folders, and then QuickBooks desktop re-installation using the QB clean install utility. Don’t worry, it might sound a bit complex to you but is a relatively simple process.
Are you looking for expert assistance to Reinstall the QuickBooks desktop application or on using QuickBooks clean install tool? Feel free to give us a call on our QB Data Service solutions team at +1(855)-955-1942 and connect with our experts.
Why We Need QuickBooks Clean Install Utility?
No doubt, it’s necessary to run the QuickBooks Clean Install tool to Uninstall & Reinstall the QuickBooks desktop application. Below we have mentioned some of the instances, where the need to use QuickBooks Clean Install Tool Exe becomes a must-do part.
- If you end up with an error while trying to open more than one company file.
- When QuickBooks starts to display installation errors.
- A simple QuickBooks reinstall didn’t help you fix common error codes.
Precautions For Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop using Clean Install Tool
There are a few cautionary steps that you have to perform before you begin to Clean and install QuickBooks Desktop to avoid any file or data loss. Below we have covered all such factors:
- Make sure to download the latest version of the QuickBooks desktop application.
- Note down your product year and version.
- Make sure to create a backup of your company file to avoid any data loss.
- Right after uninstallation and reinstallation of the QuickBooks desktop application, you’ll be asked to enter the License and Product Number. Thus, you must keep it handy. You can find it either in the original packaging or in the purchase confirmation email.
How To Use The QuickBooks Clean Install Tool for QB Desktop?
Clean Installation of QB Desktop using QuickBooks Clean install tool repairs various company files and software damage issues. The process of clean install using QB clean install utility includes 3 main steps:-
- Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop
- Rename the installation folders
- Reinstall QuickBooks to your Desktop
Step 1: Uninstall QuickBooks Desktop
To start with the clean install process of the QuickBooks application, you need to uninstall/remove the already existing QB version from your windows system. follow the below-mentioned steps for uninstalling QBD without losing any data in the process.
- Look for Control Panel in your PC and Open it.

- From there, select Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program option.
- Now from the list of programs, select the QuickBooks Desktop version that you’re having issues with.
- Now uninstall the QB desktop by clicking on Change/Uninstall option on top of the list.(Make sure you’re having the admin rights to perform this action.)

Stop the troubleshooting process, if you come across any issue while uninstalling QuickBooks. It might be due to some issue with your workstation. Thus, you must look for the assistance of an IT professional or Contact our QuickBooks Helpline team.
Step 2: Run the Clean Install Tool
The old install folders are named by the Clean Install Tool on their own. This feature allows QuickBooks to add new install files whenever required if you reinstall the QB application.
- Open QuickBooks Tools Hub and select Installation Issues.
- Then, click on Clean Install Tool followed by OK.
- Further, you have to select your QuickBooks and product version and click on Continue.
- Click on OK when the message “Please install your copy of QuickBooks to the default location” appears on your screen.

When the process completes, you can begin to reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.
Step 3: Manually Rename the QuickBooks Installation folder to Completely Remove the QB Desktop
As said, you need to rename the folders manually if you’re using QuickBooks 2020 or older versions. Follow the below-given steps to rename the installation folders:
- Firstly, you have to display the hidden files by following the below-listed steps.
- Windows 10 : Click on the folder icon to open File Explorer on your Desktop or System Tray. Go to the View tab and select Hidden Items.
- Windows 8.1/ 8: Simultaneously press Windows + E to open File Explorer. Go to the View tab and select File extensions and Hidden items.
- Click on the Windows icon and open File Explorer.
- Search and open the folder called QuickBooks folder in which you have stored your QuickBooks company files. You can find it in any of these locations:
- C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- Right-click the folder and select the Rename option. Add the word old at the end of the folder name. It will restrict QB from opening itself while reinstalling it.
- Once done, reinstall the QuickBooks Desktop application.
If an Error takes place while Reaming the QB Desktop Installation folder:
- Right-click the Windows Task Bar and select Task Manager.
- Then, go to the Processes tab and select the Name column header to sort the list.

- Further, select the following processes and then End Process for each: QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, Qbw32.exe.

- Click on Yes when the message, “WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results...” appears on the screen.
- At last, you can reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.
Step 4: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop
If you’re renaming the QB desktop installation folders, you can go ahead and download QuickBooks Desktop and then reinstall it by following the below-given steps:
- If you are having the CD, then, insert it into the computer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- If you have bought QuickBooks from Intuit website, then download your version from QuickBooks Product Download Page.
- Once you have the downloaded setup, Run it. At this point in time, you will be asked to enter the license and product number that you can found on: CD box or Online order email.
You can Complete the Remaining steps with the help of a wizard:
- Click on Next and accept the terms of the license agreements. Again, click on Next.
- Enter your License and Product Number whenever asked and click on Next.

- Select the Installation type for your accounting process. However, try to go with the Recommended one.

- Now, click on Next followed by Install. QuickBooks will begin to install on your computer.
- Once installed successfully, click on open QuickBooks.

Need Assistance with Clean Installation of QB!
We have given a detailed insight on how to use the QuickBooks clean install tool to eliminate various errors that you might come across while using the QB application. If you are stuck with any query and need expert assistance, we would suggest you give us a call on QuickBooks Data Service’s Toll-Free Number +1(855)-955-1942.
Clean Install Tool FAQs
If you’re not using QuickBooks currently, then, it might take up to 6 to 8 weeks to get all your files converted over and configure your QuickBooks accounting software with all your requirements.
Yes, you can surely uninstall the older version of the QuickBooks application. All you need to do is, keep the latest version of QuickBooks to avoid reinstalling your QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.
No, uninstalling QuickBooks does not remove any of your company files from your computer. It only removes the QB Program.
If you have purchased a single-user license for the QuickBooks, your license entitles you to install the software on a total of two computers, considering that you own both the systems.