How to Set up and Install Multi-User Network in QuickBooks Desktop

In QuickBooks software if you want to share the data with multiple users. Then you have to set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop. This helps you to set up the multi-user network so that you can share the company files from one computer to another.

Here you get to know about what are the steps that you have to do according to you. Follow each step properly to get it done.

What is a Multi-user Network in QuickBooks Desktop?

You must become familiar with the setup process for a multi-user network in QuickBooks desktop before you begin. The multi-user mode allows multiple users to work on the same company file at once. This feature makes things quick and simple while also saving a lot of time. The multi-user mode option might be quite helpful for you if you are the owner of a large company with a large number of employees. You must have a separate licensed copy of QuickBooks installed on the machine to set up a multi-user network in QuickBooks.

Basic Requirements to Set up Multi-User Network

• Installing users for the company file is advised before switching to a multi-user network.
• By logging in as the admin, you can check the file permissions on Windows.
• Verifying and turning on the QuickBooks database server management is another important step.

Quick Facts to Setup Multi-user Network

You can access the data file using QuickBooks from anywhere on the network. However, the software must be installed separately for each user. Different access is provided to different accounts, such as:

• A maximum of 30 users can access the file with QuickBooks Enterprise Solution.
• In QuickBooks Premier there is a maximum of 5 users allowed.
• In QuickBooks Pro, the number even decreases to a maximum of 3.

Steps to Setup Multi-user Network in QuickBooks Desktop

For the setup, you have to do adjust the settings of QuickBooks Desktop, Server, and the Windows operating system. So the steps to do these settings are mentioned below:-

Step 1: Downloading and installing QuickBooks desktop

• Download the QuickBooks Desktop on the Windows.
  • Go to a good source of the download Link.
  • Then download the QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Save the file to the default which is the Downloads folder.
• Install the QuickBooks Desktop on the server computer.
  • Go to the downloaded installation file of QuickBooks Desktop.
  • The location of the file is the Downloads folder.
  • Double-click on the .exe file to open it.
• Then it shows you the type of installation.
• Click on Custom and Network Install for the install type.
• Then click on the I will be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer, and I’ll be storing…. if you want the full version of QuickBooks Desktop on your server computer.
• If you want the server computer to host the files then click on the option I will not be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer….
• Then follow the instructions that you get on the screen to get it done.

Step 2: Set Folder Permissions

• Firstly, Verify all the Correctly Set Permissions:
  • Open the File Explorer on your system.
  • Go to the folder having your Company files of QuickBooks.
  • Right-click on the folder and then choose the Properties option.
  • In the Properties window, click on the Security tab.
  • Then click on the Advanced option.
  • After that, click on the QBDataServiceUserXX.
  • Then select the Edit option to edit it.
  • Now, you have to set the settings to allow it that is:-
    • Write Attributes
    • Read Attributes
    • Create Files or Write data
    • Traverse Folder or Execute File
    • Read Permissions
    • Read Extended Attributes
    • List Folder or Read Data
    • Write Extended Attributes
    • Create Folders or Append Data.
• When Permissions are not set correctly:
  • Open the File Explorer.
  • Go to the folder having the company files.
  • You have to right-click on the folder having company files.
  • From the shown options, select the option Properties.
  • Then in the window of Properties.
  • Click on the Security tab.
  • Choose the option Edit to set permissions correctly.
  • Select the QBDataserviceUserXX.
  • Then click on the Full Control.
  • Select the Allow option to provide full access.
  • Then click the button Apply and then click the OK button.

Step 3: Install Database Server Manager

The Database Server Manager helps you to share the company file from your computer to another computer. So this is also installed with the QuickBooks Programs that you download and install on your system. Do check that it is installed properly by configuring it. The steps for checking it working are:-

• In Windows system.
• Then go to the Start menu search bar field.
• Then type the Service.
• Click on the Services to open it from Results.
• In the Services, click on the QuickBooksDBXX and open it.
• Click on the tab named General.
• In this tab, locate the service status section.
• If it is running then click on Stop.
• Now from the drop-down menu of startup type, choose the Automatic option.
• Click on the tab Logon and then click on the option Local System Account.
• In the Recovery tab, click on the Restart the Service from the drop-down menus of
  • First Failure
  • Second Failure
  • Subsequent Failures
• Click on the General tab.
• In this, hit on Start to restart your QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

Step 4: Set Admin Rights

• Firstly, close the QuickBooks Desktop software.
• Then open the Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel window, click on the User Accounts.
• Locate the QBDataServiceUserXX according to your QuickBooks Desktop version. Like
  • For QuickBooks Desktop 2021 – QBDaraServiceUser31
  • For QuickBooks Desktop 2020 – QBDaraServiceUser30
  • For QuickBooks Desktop 2019 – QBDaraServiceUser29
  • For QuickBooks Desktop 2018 – QBDaraServiceUser28
• Click on the change account type.
• In this, click on the Administrator option.
• Click on the Change Account Type then click on the Administrative option.
• After that, click on Change account type.
• Hit on the Apply button to save all the changes.
• If you have more than one QuickBooks account then choose according to version of your QuickBooks desktop.

Step 5: Use Database Server Manager

• Scan your Folders:
  • Open the Server Computer.
  • Go to the search box of the Start menu.
  • Then type QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
  • Press the Enter button to open it.
  • You have to click on the tab of Scan Folders.
  • Click on the Browse button to search for the company file.
  • Then click on the OK button when you are all set.
• Monitor the Drives:
  • You have to click on the Monitored Drivers tab.
  • Now tick mark the hard drive check boxes that contain the company files.
  • If you ever change the location of a company file then you won’t have to scan it again.
• Manage the Database Server Manager:
  • In this, the system tab helps you to find where the Database Server Manager is installed on the computer.
  • The tab of the Database server provides you with the real-time status related to the tool, and also who is connected to it.

Step 6: Switching to multi-user Hosting

When you have set up outside of QuickBooks then you have to turn on the Multi-User Access on the server computer. Your server computer is the only one that already has this feature turned ON. The steps to turn On hosting are:

• In your QuickBooks Desktop.
• Once opened, Update the QuickBooks company file to the newer version, if needed.
• Now, Click on the File menu option.
• Then further select the Utilities option.
• After that, click on the Host Multi-User Access.

• Now, click on the Yes button to confirm.
• It helps you to host the computer files over the network.

How to Install QuickBooks Pro on a Server for Multiple Use

For use by one person across two computers or by multiple users, QuickBooks Pro offers the option to install a multiuser mode. To use the QuickBooks software, each user has to have a valid license. If you have the QuickBooks Database Server Manager installed on your server and authorized users to access your QuickBooks company file, they can log in and access the same QuickBooks file. After being installed, QuickBooks Database Server Manager automatically configures new company files to sync with authorized computers connected to your network and scans your company computers for updated files.

How to Install QuickBooks Database Server?

• Close any running programs on your dedicated file server computer, including virus protection programs that can interfere with the installation. Close any open programs by pressing ALT-F4 in Windows 8.
• Into your optical drive insert the QuickBooks CD and after that start the installation program. In case you have a downloaded version of QuickBooks then you have to double-click the installer file.
• When prompted to overwrite existing files you have to click Yes to All. Agree to the license agreement after clicking Next. Again click on Next.
• Choose Custom and Network Options and then the option that allows you to install only the files necessary to share your company file over the network without requiring a license.
• Then you have to select the More Than One User option and then Install Database Server Only. Then follow the options that guide you through the installation. Then you have to select the option to allow access or other computers to open the files on this computer and then click on Next.
• You have to now click on Install and then click on Finish to open the QuickBooks.
• Now you have to click on the Scan Folders tab in the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
• Select the location where your company file is kept by clicking the Add Folder button. If you are unsure, choose the option to scan all folders. Other users won’t be able to open the company file remotely if you don’t select this option.
• Then you have to click Scan and when the scan completes click on Close.

Configure QuickBooks Database Server Access

• In QuickBooks click the File and Utilities menu.
• On the computer, you want to use for administrator access, click the File menu, Utilities, and Host Multi-User Access.
• Then click the Company menu and then Set Up your users and Passwords.
• After that choose Set Up Users and Add User.
• Add a username and password, choose the user’s access options, choose whether to change or delete the user’s transaction options, and click on Finish.
• Each networked computer should have QuickBooks open. You have to click on Open or Restore Company from the File menu. After that click on Open a Company File and then click on Next.
• Locate the file for QuickBooks Database Server Management on your network by browsing there. After choosing the file, click on Open.
• Now you have to provide the username and password that is assigned to each computer and then log in.

In this article, you get to know about how you can set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop. You have to follow the solution steps that helps you to fulfill all requirements and check for all the things to fix it out for running it smoothly.

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