QuickBooks 2011: The Missing Manual

Installing QuickBooks

If you have a single-user license for QuickBooks, installing or upgrading the program on a computer running Windows 7 or Windows XP is incredibly simple. Even on a network with a multi-user license, installing QuickBooks is mostly common sense. (If you’re installing it on a computer running Windows Vista, search the QuickBooks Knowledge Base [Other Kinds of Help] for instructions.)

Here are the steps for installing QuickBooks:

1. Log into Windows as a user with administrator rights.

   Windows XP, Windows Server, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 require administrator rights to install QuickBooks. If you’re running Windows Vista, disable the firewall, too.

2. Shut down any running programs, including your virus-protection programs (a good idea for any installation), and then put the QuickBooks CD in your CD drive.

   Most of the time, the installation process starts on its own, and QuickBooks’ installation dialog box appears on your screen.

   Tip

   If the installation dialog box doesn’t appear, use Windows Explorer to open the CD. Double-click setup.exe, and then follow the onscreen instructions.

3. In the QuickBooks installation dialog box, click Next.

   The installation wizard extracts the files it needs to install QuickBooks. You’ll see progress bars that give you an idea of you how long you have to wait. You’ll have time to reply to a few emails and make a few calls.

4. If the QuickBooks installation dialog box asks whether you want to check for and download the latest installation update, leave ...