# Step-by-Step Guide for Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop ![Step-by-Step Guide for Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BJUxXccIR.png) <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&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">clean install QuickBooks Desktop.</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;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&apos;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&apos;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 &nbsp;Start Clean Installation&nbsp;</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Before starting the clean install process, it&apos;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;">&nbsp;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&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">download your installation files</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</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&rsquo;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&nbsp;</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;">,&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">consists of &nbsp;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;">&nbsp;Windows + E</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;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&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Old QuickBooks.</span></strong></li> <li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Go to&nbsp;</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&nbsp;</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&apos;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,&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">open QuickBooks Desktop&nbsp;</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 :&nbsp;</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&apos;s time to recover your company file. Here&apos;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&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Open or Restore Company</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;from the&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">File</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;menu.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Choose the&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Restore a Backup Copy</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;option and then click&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Next.&nbsp;</span></strong></li> <li><span style="font-size:12pt;">Choose Local Backup and click</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;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&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">clean install QuickBooks Desktop,&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">it</span><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;</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&apos;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> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>You may read also :&nbsp;<style type="text/css"> <!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;} --> </style> <style type="text/css"> <!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;} --> </style> </strong></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="https://hackmd.io/@KZAcac9ITSuZM-DE4mvosQ/quickbooks-error-12007"><strong><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;" data-sheets-root="1">QuickBooks Error 12007: A Troubleshooting Guide</span></strong></a></span></p>