Last Updated on November 20, 2025
In this blog, we will see the right procedure to create and restore QuickBooks portable company file to move your accounting data or repair your file. Sometimes, you can encounter an error message when you create or restore a QuickBooks portable company file (.qbm). This issue can lead to data loss and corruption in your company’s files. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the right procedure to QB portable company files.
Before Restoring QuickBooks Portable Company File
Before you begin restoring QB portable company file on your system, please ensure the following points are met:
- Ensure that you are using the updated version of QuickBooks Desktop.
- Log in to your QuickBooks version as an administrator to make & return the portable copy.
- Do not overwrite the original file when restoring the portable copy.
- Rename the original file before you begin the restoration process.
Now, let’s move on to the steps to restore the QuickBooks portable company file.
How to Restore QuickBooks Portable Company File: Simple Steps
It is a multi-step process to restore QuickBooks portable company file, which includes creating a manual copy of the company file and then opening it.
Step 1: Create a Manual Copy of Your Company File
You can try creating a copy of your primary company file and use it to create an additional portable copy. To do so, proceed with the following steps:
- Click on the Windows icon.
- Search for File Explorer.
- Press Enter.
- Search for the QuickBooks folder where you have stored the company file.
After that, follow the steps to create or restore a QuickBooks Portable Company File. If you were creating a portable company file:
- Search for the company file that has the .qbw extension.
- Right-click the file.
- Select Copy.
- Now, go to your Windows desktop.
- Right-click on the empty area and select Paste.
- Open the QuickBooks Desktop application.
- Further, click Open or Restore an Existing File.
- Then, choose Open a Company File.
- Locate the copied company file that you pasted to your Windows desktop.
- In the open copy of your company file drop-down, go to the File menu and select the Create Copy option.
- There, select the Portable company file option.
- Then click on Next.
- At last, follow the instructions that appear on your screen to create another portable company file.
If you were able to create a portable company file, it indicates an issue with the location of your original company file. Thus, from now onwards, make sure to use the copied company file as your main company file. Moreover, rename your original company file by adding ‘.old’ to the name so you don’t use it again.
- If you were restoring a portable company file
- Search your portable company file; it would have a .qbm extension.
- Right-click the file and select Copy.
- Navigate to the Windows desktop, right-click anywhere, and select Paste.
- Now, open QuickBooks, but don’t open your company file.
- After that, select the Opening or restore an existing file option, followed by Restore a portable file.
- Lastly, browse your computer and open the copied portable company file that you pasted to your Windows desktop.
It’s great if you can open the copied portable company file, as you can use it to move your accounting data. To avoid using the older file, rename the original portable file by adding ‘old’ to its name.
Step 2: Open a Sample Company File
To make sure, if there’s a major issue with your company file, you can create a portable company file by using a sample company file. To do so, proceed with the following steps:
- Open the QuickBooks application.
- Go to the File menu.
- Select Open a Sample File.
- In the sample company file, create a portable company file by following the steps on your screen.
- Once created, save it on your Windows desktop.
- Open the QuickBooks application, go to the File menu, and select the Close Company/Logoff option.
Follow the on-screen steps to open the portable company file you created in the sample company.
Troubleshooting Issues When Restoring QuickBooks Portable Company File
If you weren’t able to restore QuickBooks portable company file, follow the methods below to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Update the QB Desktop
First, update your QuickBooks application to avoid errors caused by an outdated release.
- Exit the company files if they are open.
- Go to the Start menu.
- Look for QuickBooks Desktop and right-click on it.
- Click on the Run as administrator option.
- The No Company Open window will pop up.
- Head over to the Help menu.
- Click on the Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
- Move on to the Options tab.
- Choose the Mark All option and then Save.
- Then, go to the Update Now section.
- Click on Reset Update.
- Lastly, tap on Get Updates.
Once the update is complete, exit QuickBooks Desktop and open it again.
2. Repair the QuickBooks Desktop
You must repair the QBDT application from the Control Panel and fix any issues. The steps to do so are:
- Ensure that you have created a backup of your file.
- Go to the Start menu.
- Search for the Control Panel in the search bar.
- Head over to the Programs and Features tab.
- Locate the QuickBooks application and right-click on it.
- Choose the Uninstall/Change option.
- Now, tap on Continue and then Next.
- Then, select the Repair option.
- Tap on Next.
After the repair is completed, click on the Finish option.
Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop
If you continue to face an issue when you restore QuickBooks portable company file on your system, clean install QuickBooks Desktop. This is to get rid of malicious files and start anew.
Conclusion
We saw various things you need to ensure before you restore QuickBooks portable company file. You can also easily create a portable company file with the help of this blog. Also, we walked you through the detailed steps to restore the portable company file. If you need assistance, feel free to get in touch with our experts. Dial +1(855)-510-6487!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A QuickBooks portable company file helps users transfer QB data from one system to another, whereas a backup is a copy of data in the original file. The portable company file has an extension of .qbm, and the backup has an extension of .qbb.
When you wish to create a portable company file, ensure that you are using the application as an admin. Then, go to the company file menu and click on the Create Copy option. Choose the Portable company file, then tap Next. Allot a name to your file and save it. Then tap on OK.
You can convert a backup of your account copy to .qbx, then open the File menu and choose Company File. Once you decide Accountants Copy and tap on convert Accountant’s copy, tap on OK.
Related Search Terms
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Oriana Zabell, a professional cloud engineer, has over three years of experience in desktop, online QuickBooks support and troubleshooting. She is currently working as a cloud hosting consultant with Asquare Cloud Hosting. She loves to read and write about the latest technologies such as cloud computing, AI, DaaS, small businesses, manufacturing. When not writing, she is either reading novels or is indulged in a debate with movie fanatics.