How to Locate QuickBooks Company Files on Windows and Mac

Managing your  QuickBooks file location efficiently is crucial for ensuring smooth business operations. Whether you need to access, move, or back up your QuickBooks company file, knowing its location is essential. In this guide, we provide a detailed step-by-step process to help you find your QuickBooks company files on Windows and Mac effortlessly.

Where Are QuickBooks Company Files Stored?

QuickBooks stores company files with a .QBW extension in specific directories based on your operating system and version. These files contain all your financial records, transactions, and settings, making them critical to your business operations.

Default QuickBooks Company File Locations

For Windows Users:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files

OR

C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files

For Mac Users:

/Users/Shared/QuickBooks/My Company Files/

OR

~/Library/Application Support/QuickBooks/Company Files/

How to Locate Your QuickBooks Company File on Windows

Method 1: Using QuickBooks File Menu

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.

2. Click on File > Open or Restore Company.

3. Select Open a company file and click Next.

4. Look for your .QBW file in the list of recently accessed files.

5. Note the file path displayed at the top.

Method 2: Searching for the QuickBooks File Manually

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

2. In the Search Bar, type *.QBW and press Enter.

3. QuickBooks will list all company files on your system.

4. Right-click on the correct file and select Open file location to find its path.

Method 3: Checking QuickBooks File Properties

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.

2. Press F2 or Ctrl + 1 to open the Product Information Window.

3. Locate the File Information section.

4. The company file location will be displayed.

How to Locate Your QuickBooks Company File on Mac

Method 1: Using QuickBooks for Mac Menu

1. Open QuickBooks for Mac.

2. Click File > Open Company.

3. Locate your company file in the list of recently opened files.

4. Note the file path.

Method 2: Searching for the QuickBooks File on Mac

1. Open Finder.

2. Click on Go > Go to Folder.

3. Enter the default QuickBooks file location:

   • /Users/Shared/QuickBooks/My Company Files/

   • OR enter *.qb2019, *.qb2020, etc., in the search bar (depending on your QuickBooks version).

4. Find your company file and note the path.

How to Move QuickBooks Company Files to a New Location

If you need to move your QuickBooks file to another folder, computer, or external drive, follow these steps:

For Windows Users:

1. Close QuickBooks Desktop.

2. Navigate to the current file location using File Explorer.

3. Right-click on the .QBW file and select Copy.

4. Paste it into the desired location.

5. Open QuickBooks and click File > Open or Restore Company.

6. Browse to the new file location and open the company file.

For Mac Users:

1. Close QuickBooks for Mac.

2. Open Finder and navigate to the company file location.

3. Drag and drop the company file to a new folder or external drive.

4. Open QuickBooks and click File > Open Company.

5. Locate and open the file from the new location.

How to Back Up Your QuickBooks Company File

Regular backups prevent data loss in case of system failures or corruption. Follow these steps to back up your QuickBooks file:

For Windows Users:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.

2. Click File > Back Up Company > Create Local Backup.

3. Choose Local Backup and click Next.

4. Select a backup location (external drive, cloud storage, etc.).

5. Click Save and confirm the backup process.

For Mac Users:

1. Open QuickBooks for Mac.

2. Click File > Back Up to QuickBooks for Mac Backup.

3. Choose a backup location.

4. Click Save and ensure the backup is successfully created.

Troubleshooting Missing QuickBooks Company Files

1. File Not Found Error

✅ Check if the file was accidentally moved or deleted. ✅ Search using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). ✅ Restore from a QuickBooks backup file (.QBB or .DMG).

2. Company File Won’t Open

✅ Ensure QuickBooks is updated to the latest version. ✅ Run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to repair file corruption. ✅ Verify that the file is not set to “Read-Only”.

3. Multi-User Mode Errors

✅ Ensure the .ND and .TLG files are present in the same location. ✅ Restart the QuickBooks Database Server Manager. ✅ Check if the company file is hosted on a network drive.

See Also: QuickBooks Desktop Company File

Final Thoughts

Locating, moving, and backing up your QuickBooks company file is crucial for data security and efficient accounting management. Whether you use Windows or Mac, following these steps will help you quickly find and manage your files without hassle.