Sometimes, you might find difficulties installing QuickBooks Desktop, maybe because of an outdated or disabled .NET Framework or a virus or malware infection.
When this happens, you might see the QuickBooks error 1903 on your screen, with a message hinting at the reason. However, in this guide, we are going to explore all the reasons for error code 1903 and then show you how to troubleshoot it.
Why Can You Not Install QuickBooks Desktop?
The reasons why you fail to install the desktop application and give way to QuickBooks error 1903:
- Crucial components like Microsoft .NET Framework, MSXML, and C++ are disabled or damaged.
- Viruses and malware have infected the system, and files
- A third-party service or process is interrupting QuickBooks installation
Expert-Recommended Methods to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error 1903
Now that you have an idea of the underlying causes of QuickBooks error 1903, we will tell you how to troubleshoot it. Go through the methods listed below one by one and follow the instructions given there.
1. Update Windows Operating System
If you haven’t updated your operating system for a long time, you might not have the latest components installed on your computer, which might lead to incompatibility. Therefore, update your operating system first.
- Open the Start menu, followed by Settings, and choose Update & Security.
- Tap on Windows Update and select Check for updates.
If you find that there are updates available, download and install them. Now, restart the computer and try installing QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
Specific tools in QuickBooks Tool Hub can help repair damaged or missing Microsoft components, which can prevent you from installing the QB application. Therefore, download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub and run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool:
- Open QuickBooks Tool Hub and go to Installation Issues.
- Choose QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
Allow the Install Diagnostic Tool to appear on the screen and start repairing the Windows components required by QuickBooks – it might take a while. When it is done, restart the computer and then try installing QuickBooks Desktop.
However, if this doesn’t help, repair Windows components manually.
3 Repair Windows Components Manually
Here is how you can repair the Windows components manually if the tool wasn’t successful in doing so:
If You are on Windows 10 or Newer
- Close any programs that might be open and launch the Start menu.
- Enter the Control Panel into the search bar and hit Enter.
- Open Programs and Features.
- Choose Uninstall a Program. (Don’t worry; you aren’t uninstalling anything.)
- Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
- Now, choose .NET Framework.
- One by one, choose .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
Note: There are similar steps for fixing the .NET Framework 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8.
Check NET Framework 4.5 (or later)
(i) If you find the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) checkbox was not already marked, follow these steps:
- Mark the checkbox for the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later).
- Choose OK, which will save the changes.
- Reboot the computer.
(ii) In case you find the checkbox for the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later) was already marked, follow the steps below:
- Deselect the .NET Framework 4.5 (or later). Don’t enable it yet.
- Choose OK, which will save the changes.
- Reboot the computer.
- Sign back into Windows and follow the instructions in step (i) to enable the .NET Framework 4.5 again.
In this way, you can fix all versions of .NET Framework 4.5 and later.
Check NET Framework 3.5 SP1
(i) If you find the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 checkbox isn’t already marked:
- Mark the checkbox for the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 to enable it.
- Choose OK. This will save the changes.
- Reboot the computer.
(ii) If the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 checkbox is already checked:
- Unmark the checkbox for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. Don’t enable it yet.
- Choose OK. This will save the changes.
- Reboot the computer.
Sign back into Windows, and follow the instructions given in step (i) to enable the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
However, if an error keeps you from fixing Microsoft .NET Framework, connect with an IT professional.
4. Install QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode
Third-party programs or services might interrupt QuickBooks installation. To avoid that, you can switch to selective startup mode and then try installing QB Desktop.
- Launch the Start menu and type MSConfig.
- Right-click on the MSConfig.exe program, and tap Run as Administrator.
- Open the General tab and tap on Selective Startup.
- Unmark the Load startup items checkbox.
- Now, choose the Services tab and select the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
- Choose Disable all, followed by Apply, followed by OK.
- Next, de-select the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox.
- Select the Windows Package Installer checkbox in the list of services and choose OK.
- Finally, tap on the Restart option in the System Configuration window.
This will lead the computer to boot into Selective Startup mode. Install QuickBooks Desktop and then follow the steps below to switch back to Normal mode.
- Open the Start menu, enter msconfig, and choose OK.
- Tap on the General tab, followed by Normal Startup.
- Select OK, and then choose Restart from the System Configuration window.
This will boot your computer into the normal mode.
Conclusion
In this guide, we saw why you can’t install QuickBooks Desktop and end up with QuickBooks error 1903 instead. Moreover, we discussed recommended ways to troubleshoot it. If you continue to face a problem getting QuickBooks on your computer, speak to an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
When installing the QuickBooks Desktop application, you might see error code 1903 if the Microsoft components like .NET Framework or MSXML and C++ are missing, disabled, or damaged, or a background service or process interrupts it.
Here is what you can do to resolve the error code when installing the QuickBooks Desktop:
1. Update Windows Operating System: Update the operating system to get the latest components installed on your computer.
2. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub to repair Windows components.
3. Manually Repair Windows Components: Manually repair the Windows components like .NET Framework and MSXML.
4. Install QuickBooks in Selective Startup Mode: Switch to Selective Startup mode and try installing QuickBooks Desktop.
Kate is a certified public accountant (CPA) with expertise in various accounting software. She is technically inclined and finds passion in helping businesses and self-employed people carry out bookkeeping, payroll, and taxation without worrying about errors. Every once in a while, Kate loves to travel to far-off places and relax in the lap of nature.