Losing a QuickBooks data file can be frustrating, but there are several methods you can try to recover the file from your hard drive. Here’s how you can go about it:
1. Check for Backup Copies
- QuickBooks Automatic Backup: QuickBooks automatically creates backup copies of your company file. To recover a backup:
- Open QuickBooks.
- Go to File > Open or Restore Company > Restore a Backup Copy.
- Choose Local Backup and navigate to the backup location (often C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\QuickBooks\Backups).
- Select the
.QBB
file (QuickBooks backup) and follow the prompts to restore it.
- Manual Backup: If you’ve created backups manually, search your computer for
.QBB
files. Restoring from a recent backup is the easiest way to recover lost data.
2. Search for QuickBooks Data Files
Search for .QBW
Files: QuickBooks company files typically have the .QBW
extension. Use your computer’s search function to look for .QBW
files:
- On Windows, click Start > Search and type “*.QBW”.
- Check if you have any backup or copy of your data file stored elsewhere on your hard drive.
Check the Recycle Bin: If the file was accidentally deleted, you might find it in your computer's Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin and restore any .QBW
or .QBB
files you find.