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  • Writer's pictureMark Williams

Eradicating QuickBooks Error The File Exists: Perfect Methods


QuickBooks Error The File Exists
QuickBooks Error The File Exists

Have you ever encountered the frustrating "QuickBooks Error The File Exists" error message in QuickBooks Desktop? It can strike when you try to open your company file, update payroll, or access essential forms. This seemingly simple message can bring your workflow to a screeching halt. But fear not, QuickBooks warriors!

This blog is your one-stop shop for conquering the "QuickBooks Error The File Exists" error. We'll delve into the common culprits behind this message, from file access issues to permission problems. No technical jargon here, just clear explanations and step-by-step solutions to get you back on track.

If you want the most relevant help regarding “QuickBooks Error The File Exists”, you must dial 1.855.738.2784 to reach out to our QB Technical Support Team.

The File Exists Error in QuickBooks Desktop: Most Relevant Reasons

The actual reasons behind ‘The File Exists Error in QuickBooks Desktop’ are illustrated in the following points:

  • Another user might already be working on your company file, or the file location might be set to read-only mode.

  • Outdated QuickBooks software can cause compatibility issues on your system.

  • User permissions might be restricting access to the file on the computer connected to the network.



Relevant Methods For The “File Exists Error Message in QB Application”

You can use the methods detailed below to overcome the “File Exists Error Message in QB Application”:


Method 1: Grant full access rights to the QB Desktop Program File (‘QBW32.exe’)

  1. Locating the ‘QBW32.exe’ file: Navigate to the folder where QuickBooks is installed ("C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks [Year Edition]").

  2. Access Properties: Just right-click on the "QBW32.exe" file’s icon and select the "Properties” tab shown on the screen.

  3. Open Security Tab: In the "Properties" window, click on the "Security" tab in the menu bar.

  4. Edit Permissions: Click the "Edit..." button under "Group or user names".

  5. Add User Group: If your user group isn't listed, click "Add..." and follow the prompts to add it.

  6. Select User Group: In the "Permissions for QBW32.exe" window, highlight your user group or "Users" if applicable.

  7. Grant Full Control: Under "For selected group", check the box next to "Full control".

  8. Apply Changes: To save the changes, click "Apply" and then "OK" on all open windows. Then, you can use QB Desktop for all your technical projects.



Method 2: Restrict the execution of non-essential technical processes using Windows Task Manager on the system

  1. Firstly, you must press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” on your keyboard & effectively acquire the "Task Manager" application window on the screen.

  2. In the Task Manager window, click on the "Processes" tab. Then, you can look for the program(s) causing the conflict by sorting them alphabetically or by memory usage.

  3. Once you have identified the conflicting program(s), click on the program(s) to select it in the window.

  4. Finally, click on the "End Task" button at the bottom right corner of the window and move forward to execute QuickBooks for all your tasks.


The valid implementation of both methods discussed above will be enough to eliminate "QuickBooks Error The File Exists". If you need more help, just dial 1.855.738.2784 to contact our QB Professionals Team.


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