# Step-by-Step Guide for Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">QuickBooks users often face errors when customizing their QuickBooks Desktop installation. Uninstalling QuickBooks Desktop removes it from the computer, but the application files may remain. For a fresh installation, you must manually remove these files, known as a </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">clean install QuickBooks Desktop.</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> During a QuickBooks Desktop clean install, you replace potentially corrupted QuickBooks system files.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">A clean install differs from a basic reinstall because you use a new installation file for QuickBooks Desktop instead of the existing one. We'll walk through the process of doing a clean install in this blog.</span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><em><span style="font-size:12pt;">If you encounter any difficulties during this clean installation process, please don't hesitate to contact our toll-free support number, 1.855.856.0042 for assistance. You can confidently resume handling your financial and accounting responsibilities with a fresh installation.</span></em></p>
</blockquote>
<h2><span style="font-size:16pt;">Preparation Steps Before Start Clean Installation </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Before starting the clean install process, it's important to prepare by following these steps:</span></p>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 1: Make a Backup Copy of Your Company File</span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Launch the QuickBooks application and sign in as an</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> administrator.</span></strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Select Backup Company from the File menu, then click Create Local Backup.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a location for your backup and complete the process.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 2: Collect Your QuickBooks Installation Files and License Details</span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Make sure your license information and QuickBooks installation files are easily accessible.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">You can </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">download your installation files</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> from the official Intuit website if you have misplaced them.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 3: Remove QuickBooks Desktop from Your Computer</span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Close QuickBooks and other open programs on your computer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Choose Control Panel from the Start menu after navigating there. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Click on Programs and Features (</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">or Add/Remove Programs</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Locate QuickBooks Desktop in the list of programs and click Uninstall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Adhere to the instructions displayed on your screen to complete the uninstallation process.</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-size:16pt;">Here’s How to Clean Install the QuickBooks Program</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">A clean install QuickBooks, which can resolve issues such as </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://proadvisorsolutions.com/blog/quickbooks-error-1612/"><strong>Error 1612 in QuickBooks Desktop</strong></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">, </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">consists of basic steps:</span></p>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 1: Renaming Your QuickBooks Directories</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Renaming your QuickBooks directories ensures a fresh start to the installation process. Follow these steps:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Launch File Explorer by pressing the</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Windows + E</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> keys.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Right-click on the QuickBooks folder, choose Rename, then rename it to </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Old QuickBooks.</span></strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Go to </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\</span></strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Right-click on the QuickBooks folder, choose Rename, then rename it to </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Old QuickBooks.</span></strong></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 2: Reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With the renamed QuickBooks folders, you can now reinstall the software. Here's how:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Double-click the QuickBooks installation file to begin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Follow the on-screen instructions, including entering your license information.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">After installation, </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">open QuickBooks Desktop </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">and follow the activation prompts.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Recommended to read : </strong></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://proadvisorsolutions.com/blog/quickbooks-error-1606/"><strong>How to fix QuickBooks Desktop Error 1606</strong></a></span></p>
<h3><span style="color:#434343;font-size:13.999999999999998pt;">Step 3: Recover Your Company File</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With the clean install process finished, it's time to recover your company file. Here's how:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Open QuickBooks Desktop and enter your administrator login credentials.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Click on the </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Open or Restore Company</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> from the </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">File</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> menu.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Choose the </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Restore a Backup Copy</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> option and then click </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Next. </span></strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Choose Local Backup and click</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Next.</span></strong></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Locate and select your backup file from the saved location.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">When you </span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">clean install QuickBooks Desktop, </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">it</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">can address issues caused by corrupted files or installation problems. You can completely reinstall QuickBooks Desktop without losing data if you follow the step-by-step instructions. Before beginning, don't forget to create a company file backup and prepare your installation files and license details. Contact us at our toll-free number, <strong>1.855.856.0042</strong>, if you need any help.</span></p>
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