Data migration helps reduce cost, innovate, improve performance, and enhance security. This is why QuickBooks has a straightforward data migration procedure. However, you might sometimes notice the company file migration crashing while moving QuickBooks Desktop Pro from one SSD to another, from Windows 7 to 10 or 11 OS, or while moving QuickBooks on the same version of Windows. This failure is notified by an error message that reads, ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly.’
This error message appears right after clicking the .bat or .exe file, selecting the Move QuickBooks option in the migrator tool, or during the migration process. This guide will show you why the QuickBooks migration tool failed unexpectedly and how to fix this error.
What to do When QuickBooks Desktop Migration Failed Unexpectedly
In this section, we will first rectify the root cause of why QuickBooks data migration failed unexpectedly and later discuss how to transfer QuickBooks to a new computer correctly using the QuickBooks migrator tool.
In this section, we will first rectify the root cause of why QuickBooks data migration failed unexpectedly and later discuss how to transfer QuickBooks to a new computer correctly using the QuickBooks migrator tool.
Step 1: Install the Latest Updates for Your Windows Operating System
Follow the instructions below to quickly install the latest updates for Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
Windows 11
- Go to the Settings in the Windows Start menu and select Windows Update.
Windows 10
- Go to Settings in the Windows Start menu, select Update & Security, and hit Windows Update.
Retry migrating the data using the QB migrator tool to check if the ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ error message re-appears.
Step 2: Verify and Rebuild the Company File
Using the Verify and Rebuild Data Utility, identify and repair any possible corruption in the company file to remove the ‘move QuickBooks migration failed unexpectedly’ error message.
- Click on the File tab, select Utilities, and hit the Verify Data option.
- If QuickBooks finds no issues in the data file, click OK.
- You will receive the Rebuild Now or View Errors option if the Verify Data utility finds issues in the data file.
- Take note of the error and hit the Close or View Errors option.
- Now, go to the File menu again, select Utilities, and hit the Rebuild Data option.
- When prompted to back up the company data, select the OK option.
- When the rebuild process completes, click OK and rerun the Rebuild Data tool to ensure no errors are left in the company file.
After ensuring the file is error-free, follow the next step and install the most recent QuickBooks updates.
Step 3: Install the Most Recent QuickBooks Desktop Updates
Follow the instructions below to install the most recent updates for QuickBooks Desktop and fix the ‘QuickBooks migration failed unexpectedly’ issue.
- Go to the Help tab and select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option in the QuickBooks Desktop program.
- Choose the Get Updates option under the Update Now tab and restart QuickBooks after downloading the updates.
Once the updates are installed, follow the next step and run the Quick Fix My Program tool to repair any potential program damage if you re-encounter the ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ message.
Step 4: Run Quick Fix My Program Tool Using QB Tool Hub
To access the Quick Fix My Program tool, you must first install QuickBooks Tool Hub on the system, which you can download HERE. Once downloaded, follow the instructions below to run the Quick Fix My Program Tool.
- Go to the downloads of your system and run the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file.
- Follow the instructions as they appear on your screen and agree to the terms and conditions.
- Once the installation is finished, double-click the Tool Hub icon on the desktop to launch the program.
- Now, go to the Program Problems tab in QuickBooks Tool Hub and select the Quick Fix My Program Tool.
Step 5: Rerun the QuickBooks Migrator Tool
Once all the root causes of the ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ error message have been eliminated, retry migrating QuickBooks using the instructions below.
NOTE: You must be logged in as a company admin to use the QuickBooks Migrator tool. Also, you cannot move QuickBooks from a 64-bit to a 32-bit Windows operating system.
Instructions to be followed on the old computer
- Go to the File menu in QuickBooks Desktop, and under the Utilities drop-down, choose the Move QuickBooks to another computer option.
- After clicking I’m Ready, enter a one-time password.
- Follow the instructions as they appear on the screen, and select the USB drive you will use to move QuickBooks.
- Wait until all the files are copied to the USB drive.
Instructions to be followed on the new computer
- Connect the USB drive to the system and open it to view its contents.
- Double-click the Move_QuickBooks.bat file on the USB drive to launch the QuickBooks Migrator Tool. Then, enter the password you created on the old computer.
- Hit Let’s Go and wait until the Migrator Tool completes the migration process.
If QuickBooks migration failed unexpectedly on Windows even after the troubleshooting, you can manually move the QuickBooks Desktop following the instructions below.
How to Move QuickBooks to a New Computer Manually?
Before manually moving QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer, you need to check and ensure to meet the following prerequisites.
- The QuickBooks Desktop version you are trying to move must be compatible with the Windows operating system. The following are the versions of the Windows operating system that are compatible with all supported versions of QuickBooks Desktop.
- Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows 8.1 (Update 1), all editions, including 64-bit, natively installed
- Windows 10, all editions, including 64-bit, natively installed
- Windows 7 SP1, all editions including 64-bit, natively installed
- The system you are moving your QuickBooks Desktop to must be connected to the internet.
- You must have enough free space on the USB disk you are using to move QuickBooks Desktop. The migrator tool will also tell you the amount of free space you will need. Usually, the free space required to move QuickBooks is 150 and 250 MB.
- If you are trying to move to an older version of QuickBooks like the 2017 version, you must have a Windows 10 operating system, as older versions of QuickBooks are not compatible with Windows 11.
Step 1: Get the Product and License Info
The first step is to have your product and license info ready so that you can activate QuickBooks on the new computer after the installation.
- Launch QuickBooks and press the F2 key on the keyboard to open the Product Information window on the screen.
- Note the license, product name, and number and exit the window.
- You can also visit your Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPs) account to view your license key and product info.
Step 2: Download and Install QuickBooks on the New Computer
The next step is to download, install, and activate QuickBooks on the new computer to import the data from the old computer into it.
- If you already have some other version of QuickBooks installed on the new computer, uninstall it.
- Next, visit the QuickBooks Product Download Page and choose your Country, Product, and Version.
- Click Search and hit the Download option on the next page.
- Find and double-click the QuickBooks.exe in the default download location, follow the on-screen instructions, and accept the product license agreement.
- Hit Next and enter the license and product number when prompted.
- Click Next and launch QuickBooks Desktop using the shortcut icon on the desktop.
- Now go to the Help tab and choose the Activate QuickBooks Desktop option.
- Verify your info by following the instructions on the screen.
Step 3: Back Up the Company File on the Old Computer
The instructions below will help create a backup company file so that you can move it and restore it on the new computer.
- Go to the File menu in QuickBooks on the old computer and choose the Switch to Single-user Mode option.
- Go to the File menu again and select the Create Local Backup option under the Back up Company drop-down.
- Select the Local Backup option and move to the option that says Next.
- Select the Browse option to choose a location to save the backup company file in the Local Backup Only section.
- QuickBooks will now run a quick test to ensure the company file is free of errors.
- Hit the OK option when you are ready and click Save it Now.
- Click Next, and QuickBooks will save a backup copy of the company file in the selected location.
- Now, copy the backup copy of the company file to the USB drive.
Step 4: Restore the Company File on the New Computer
The last step in moving QuickBooks Desktop is to restore the backup company file on the new computer.
- Plug the USB drive into the new computer and move the backup copy of the company file to the local storage.
- Launch QuickBooks and select the Open or Restore Company option under the File menu.
- Hit the Restore a backup copy option, click Next, and select Local Backup.
- Hit Next and browse the backup company file with the .qbb extension on the local storage of the system.
- Now, choose the folder on the system where you would like to restore the backup company file.
- Click Save when you are ready, and ensure that you give the file a unique name so that you do not accidentally replace an existing company file.
Step 5: Download and Install the Most Recent Payroll Updates
If you use QuickBooks for payroll, before you start using it on the new computer, download and install the most recent payroll updates.
- Go to the Employees menu in your QuickBooks program and select the Get Payroll Updates option.
- Now, checkmark the Download Entire Update option and select Update.
- Once QuickBooks downloads the payroll updates, you will get an information window notifying you of the same.
Conclusion
In this article, we tried to help you eliminate the ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ error message in different scenarios. We also discussed the manual method to move QuickBooks Desktop to a different system if the Intuit Migrator tool does not work.
If you require expert help after the QB Company file migration failed, contact us at 1(800) 780-3064, and the support team will help you migrate your data in no time.
FAQs Related To QuickBooks Migration Glitches
1. What are the different ways to migrate client data to QuickBooks?
The first approach to migrating client data to QuickBooks is using MMC Convert. Next is manually entering the data in QuickBooks, which must only be used if there is less data to be migrated. The last method uses the IIF (Intuit Interchange Format) files for client data migration.
2. Where can I find the migration tool to return to the desktop?
You can easily download the migration tool by replacing /app/ with exportqbodatatoqbdt in QuickBooks Online URL. Once you make the required changes, the URL will look like this: https://app.qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt. Click the Get Started option on the Export overview screen and hit the Download tool option.
3. What are the reasons why QuickBooks migration failed unexpectedly?
Some of the most common reasons QuickBooks Enterprise migration failed unexpectedly are missing QuickBooks updates, corruption in the company data, outdated Windows, compatibility issues, and damage in the QuickBooks program.
4. What if I do not have the password to restore the company file?
You can simply use the QuickBooks Automated Password Reset Tool to reset the password if restoring the backup is restricted by an error message like ‘Your data has NOT been restored if you failed to enter the correct admin password.’
5. What are some other ways to repair QuickBooks Desktop to avoid migration failure?
In addition to running QuickBooks Rebuild Data Utility and Quick Fix My Program Tool, you can run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from within Tool Hub, which will fix issues with all Microsoft components required to run QuickBooks on Windows and helps fix ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ error.
6. I have a Lenovo laptop with Windows 11, and QuickBooks Pro migration failed unexpectedly every time I ran the QuickBooks Migrator Tool.
As reported by the support team, the Migrator Tool will not work on Lenovo systems. As a workaround, you can download the installer from the official website and install it. Later, just back up the company file and restore it on the system.
7. I am trying to move my QuickBooks 2022 to a new Windows 11 computer but getting the ‘QuickBooks Migration Failed Unexpectedly’ error message. How can I avoid getting this error during migration?
As reported by several users, QuickBooks 2022 is not compatible with Windows 11. Using the same license key, you can downgrade your system to Windows 10 Home and later upgrade it to Windows 11 when required.
8. What must be done after moving QuickBooks to a new computer using the Migrator Tool?
Once you have successfully moved your QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer, you must first sign in to your QuickBooks payroll, payment services, and Data Protect. Then, you must move any additional company files left on the old computer, and lastly, create a backup of the company file on the new computer.
9. While trying to download a new installer file on the new computer, I received a ‘Downloading QuickBooks Installer setup failed’ error message. How do I proceed further to download and install QuickBooks Desktop?
The error message you received indicated a corrupt installer file, and you must redownload it from the QuickBooks Product Download page.
10. Do I need the same product and license version to restore the backup file in QuickBooks on a different system?
Yes, when moving QuickBooks Desktop to a new computer using the backup file, you will need to have the same product and license version of QuickBooks on both machines.
Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities