Last Updated on September 25, 2025
Are you curious about how to rename company file in QuickBooks Desktop? It might not seem like a complex task, but it can be challenging to do so, since there are multiple guidelines to follow. But don’t worry, we have got you covered with the process to rename your company file in QB. You will be able to effortlessly change its name without causing any trouble for yourself.
Always remember to create a backup of your company file when you make any changes to the file. By doing so, you can keep your data safe and avoid any risk of losing important data. Let’s delve into the process of how to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file, along with other details that you should be aware of.
Our specialists are just a call away to provide professional assistance to rename company file in QuickBooks Desktop. Reach out at +1(855)-738-0359, and our certified experts will guide you.
Related Topic- If you’re facing errors while opening your data, such as the QuickBooks Company File Not Found issue, it’s important to troubleshoot quickly to avoid workflow interruptions.
Cases When You Might Need to Rename QuickBooks Desktop Company File
You may need to change or rename company file in QB Enterprise due to a number of reasons. A list of some possible reasons to change the name is given below:
- The original file name may have been entered incorrectly.
- There may have been a naming error in the initial name.
- The name of your company file may not meet the required character length.
- It may not include some required characters or symbols in the name.
- The name of your company might have changed, which led to a change in the name of the company file as well.
- Your company may have formed a partnership with another organization, and you need to merge the names.
- There may be some unwanted special characters in the company file name, which is not acceptable.
As we have mentioned above, there can be a number of reasons why you might need to rename company file in QuickBooks Desktop. Now, before you proceed to change the name, let’s go through some precautions and considerations in the next segment.
Precautions to Take Before You Rename QuickBooks Desktop Company File
In this section, we have given you a list of considerations to take before you move on to changing the name of your company file in QB Desktop.
- Make sure to verify the name that you will change to before you save it.
- Avoid the use of any special characters when doing the QuickBooks rename company file, as it may cause issues in the future.
- Do not mistype the name and be sure to check for any spelling errors in the file name.
- Ensure that you meet the required minimum character length for the new file name to save it.
- Note down the new name carefully, as you can’t edit it later if you fail to match it.
- Be sure to create a backup of your company to avoid losing any crucial data.
Once you have conformed to the above given criteria, you can move on to the following section to know how you can rename the QB company file in the Desktop version with simple steps.
Learn How to Rename QuickBooks Company File in Desktop
You can proceed with the following steps to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file after you have created a backup for it. You can take these steps on the QBDT application on your computer.
- Open QuickBooks and navigate to the company file.
- Hit F2 or Ctrl + 1 on the Home page to launch the Product Information window.
- Note down the path stated under the File Information section.
- Head to the copied path:
- Tap on the Windows Start menu and open File Explorer.
- Or, hit Windows + E keys to launch the File Explorer.
- Paste the copied path in the search bar.
- You will see the file as [CompanyName].qbw or just [CompanyName].
- Select the file and hit Rename.
- Type in the name that you want to change to and hit Enter.
- Then, tap Yes to save the name.
With the process given above, you can easily change the name of your company file through Windows File Explorer.
Setting up QuickBooks Desktop for Using the New Company File Name
After you are done with the QuickBooks rename company file process, take these steps in the QBDT application to use the renamed company file.
- Expand the QuickBooks File menu.
- Click the Open or restore an existing company option.
- Tap on Open a company file and then press Next.
- Locate and choose the newly renamed company file and hit Open.
Note: If you use the multi-user mode, then you will be required to open the renamed company file on all workstations that are connected to the host computer.
If you are looking to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file for a particular client, then move on to the following section.
Rename Company File for a Particular Client in QuickBooks Desktop
In this section, you can find the process for changing the name of the company file in QB for a particular client. Take these steps to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file for any specific client that you want.
- Select a client in the QB dropdown at the top.
- Choose the company file that you want to rename.
- Tap on the Gear icon located on the top right of the screen.
- Now, click on the Your Company option.
- Then go to the Accounts and Settings.
- The company will be displayed on the left panel.
- Then, hit the Tab button on your keyboard.
- Now, change the name of the selected company file.
- Once you have renamed it, hit Save.
- Then, finish this by tapping Tab.
- Now, choose the company file and you’ll find that the name has been changed.
You can repeat this process for as many company files of particular clients as you want to rename. Now, let’s see how to rename QuickBooks company file in 2016 or older versions.
Procedure to Rename Company File in QuickBooks 2016 or Older
In this section, we will go through the steps to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file for 2016 or older versions using the Product Information window. Before you commence this process, you should make sure that the QB 2016 is installed on your computer and is ready to use.
- Launch QuickBooks 2016 on your computer from the Start menu.
- Once it opens, go to your company file from the list.
- Open a company file and wait for it to load on your screen.
- Now, press the F2 key on your keyboard.
- The Product Information tab will appear on your screen.
- Now, in the Product Information window, find the Locate File Information option.
- After that, tap the Check Location button.
- Note down the file path from the window.
- Open the Windows File Explorer and search for the copied path.
- Find the company file that is saved within this folder.
- Select the company file and open its menu.
- From the menu, click on Rename.
- Edit the file name as needed.
- Do not make any changes to the file extension (.QBW).
- After changing the name, press Enter to save the new file name.
- Click Yes to confirm the rename and proceed.
After you rename QuickBooks Desktop company file, you can set up the renamed company file for use in QB Desktop 2016 by following these steps.
- Head back to the QuickBooks 2016 home page.
- Click on the File menu from the top bar.
- Select the Open or Restore an Existing Company option.
- Then, choose Open a Company File and hit Next.
- Find the folder where your renamed company file is saved.
- Select the renamed file to open it.
- Click on Open to load the renamed company file.
You can rename QuickBooks 2016 company file by completing the steps mentioned above. Moreover, you can easily organize your files and keep your accounting data safe with this method.
Rename QuickBooks Desktop Company File – A Quickview Table
Tabulated below is a summary of the blog that provides a concise overview of essential information about how to rename QuickBooks company file:
| When to rename | Incorrect original file name, naming error in the original name, name fails to meet required character length, some required characters or symbols may be missing in the name, company name may have changed, leading to a change in the company file name, merging name with a partner company, or an unwanted or unacceptable special character in the name of the company file. |
| Precautions to take | Confirm the name before saving it, avoid any special characters in the company file name, do not mistype the name, check for any spelling errors, meet the minimum character length for the name, note down the new name, as it’s required to edit it later, and create a backup to avoid losing any crucial data of your company. |
| How to rename | Go to QuickBooks and open company file, hit F2 to open Product Information, write down the path under File Information, hit Windows + E keys to open File Explorer, search for the copied path to locate [CompanyName].qbw or [CompanyName], click on the file and choose Rename, enter a name to change to continue, lastly, hit Yes to save. |
Related Topic- The error QuickBooks is Unable to Open this Company File usually occurs due to file corruption, permission restrictions, or multi-user conflicts. Resolving it promptly helps restore smooth access to company data and keeps your accounting process running without unnecessary delays.
Conclusion
You may want to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file due to multiple reasons, but get overwhelmed by the complex procedures. A number of reasons might require you to change the name of the company file, such as a typo in the name, updating the new business name, or organizing the files better. In this guide, you will get a clear understanding of how to rename QuickBooks company file from the 2016 version to the latest release, along with its reasons and precautions to take. Encountered any issues while renaming QB company file? Contact our specialists by dialing +1(855)-738-0359, and get expert help from certified experts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In order to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file, you can take the first step by backing up your data to avoid losing or damaging it. Then open QuickBooks and hit F2, and find the location of the company file on your computer through the Product Information window. Locate the company file in File Explorer and select Rename from the menu. Once you have successfully renamed the company file, head back to the QB home page and choose Open or restore an existing company from the File menu on the top bar to open the newly renamed company file.
Yes, it is possible to rename company file in QuickBooks 2016 as well as older versions. If you want to rename it, then first begin by backing up your company file. Then, open the QB application and hit Ctrl + 1 keys to find the file’s location on your computer through the Product Information window. Once you locate the file, select Rename from the menu and enter a new name, then lastly hit Save.
There can be many reasons for users to rename QuickBooks Desktop company file. Some of these reasons include a naming error, updating the new business name, meeting the required criteria for the name, merging the name of a partner organization, and many more. Additionally, if you rename company file in QuickBooks Desktop, then you can also resolve issues with supporting files like the network data (.ND) or transaction log (.TLG) files by forcing QuickBooks to create new files.
If you want to edit or rename QuickBooks Desktop company file, then you can take the steps given below.
1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Click on the Company menu on the top bar.
3. Then, select My Company.
4. In the “My Company” window, click on Edit to open the Company Information box.
5. Change the company name and any other details.
6. Lastly, hit OK to save changes.
No, if you rename QuickBooks Desktop company file through the Windows File Explorer, then none of your financial data will be affected. But do remember the company’s internal business name, which can be changed through settings, is not the same as .QBW company file name, and it might affect your data if you change that. Before you rename company file in QuickBooks Desktop, be sure to create a backup of your data in case of any mishap.
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.