Windows Microsoft Update 2025-2026 Released: QuickBooks Errors

Windows Microsoft Update 2025-2026 Released: QuickBooks Errors

On the positive note, the recent Windows update introduced new features and security options, but it also brought unexpected QuickBooks errors and issues. Some of those errors, 3371 and 15217, are reported when installing Windows updates, from which businesses are unable to open QuickBooks, run payroll updates, or access their company files.

This blog will elaborate on the causes of these errors, post window updates, proven solutions, and preventive measures.

Common QuickBooks Errors Post-Update

Several errors have surfaced following recent Windows updates:

• Error 3371: This error indicates QuickBooks' inability to load license data, often due to missing or damaged files. It's commonly triggered by system crashes or improper shutdowns.
• Error 15217: Arises when QuickBooks cannot verify the digital signature of downloaded files, often due to incorrect Internet Explorer settings.
• Update Stuck at Writing Registry Values: Occurs when QuickBooks cannot write to the system registry, often due to corrupted files or security software interference.

QuickBooks Desktop Update error 15217 

Symptoms of QuickBooks Desktop Update error 15217 

When the user tries to download the recent version in QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, and QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

You will get this message, ‘Incorrect Configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer’ when the update process for QuickBooks is hindered.

Tips before fixing QuickBooks Desktop Update Error 15217 

Before trying to fix QuickBooks error 15217, make sure to go through the following instructions :

• Verify your internet security as well as firewall settings because both can block updates. You have to maintain these settings to avoid interruptions.
• Make sure to create a backup of your company file, which is crucial to prevent loss of data during the fixing methods. For this, go to the File menu -> choose Backup company -> local backup.
• Save it to a location and tap Ok to finish the process.
  
  Recommended : How to fix QuickBooks Error 1601, 1603, and 1642

Proven solutions to resolve the error 15217 

Solution 1 – Installation of a digital signature certificate

An older or missing digital signature certificate causes this error. Installing it will resolve the issue :

• First thing is to ensure that QuickBooks desktop windows are not opened on your system.
• Go to this path C:/Program Files/Intuit/QuickBooks.
• Find and right-click on QBW32.exe located inside the QuickBooks folder.
• Choose Properties from the right-click menu -> tap on the Digital Signature tab.
• Tap on the Details button to gain more info about the digital signature.

Solution 2 – Verifying the System’s time and date settings

• First, you have to right-click on the system clock located in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
• Choose Adjust time and date settings from the menu.
• Set the right time and date -> OK.
• Close QuickBooks and reopen it.
• Now, lastly, update QuickBooks again.

Solution 3 – Reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop

• Uninstalling QuickBooks from the system.
• Open File Explorer to find hidden files.
• Find QuickBooks company files.

Possible locations in which company files are located:

• C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year) (for 64-bit versions)

Reinstall QuickBooks. 

Solution 4 – Downloading and installing the QuickBooks update.

• Shut down all the company files and QuickBooks.
• Now, right-click on QuickBooks desktop and choose Run as an administrator.
• Go to the Help menu -> Update QuickBooks Desktop.
• Choose Mark All -> click Save.
• Go to Update Now -> Reset update box.
• Tap on Get Updates to start the download process.
• When asked, install the updates and restart your system after that.

Solution 5 – Updating your Windows operating system

Possible Causes of error 15217 

QuickBooks error 3371 

 Causes of error 3371 : 

• QuickBooks Desktop is unable to start.
• Users can't access files.
• Missing payroll data.
• Using multisession in QuickBooks stops it from running.
• The QuickBooks application is not running.

Proven methods to solve QuickBooks desktop update error 3371 

Solution 1 – Running 3371 from the tool hub

QuickBooks tool hub is created to fix every error that exists in QuickBooks.

Follow the steps below :

• Downloading and installing the QuickBooks desktop tool hub 
• Close the QuickBooks Desktop application from the taskbar.
• Download the QuickBooks tool hub from its official website.

• Go to the downloads section on the system and start the QuickBooksToolhub.exe file.
• Go through the given instructions on the screen.
• Click on the tool hub icon for QuickBooks.

Running error 3371 fix from the Tool hub 

• Open the tool hub and choose Installation issues from the left pane.
• Check the 3371 error fix option.

• Now, try to access the company file again in the QuickBooks desktop.

Solution 2 – Fixing the damaged QBregistration.dat file.  

Deleting this file will not register QuickBooks, and you will have to go through the registration process while using QuickBooks again.

To resolve the issue, follow the steps below :

• Close the QuickBooks application.
• Open the task manager by pressing the keys.

Now open the Run command window by pressing the Windows + R key on your keyboard, type C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v6 or 8, and hit OK.
 C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v6.

Solution 3 – Repairing Damaged MSXML files

Registering MSXML file :

• Tap Windows + R and open the run window.
• Search cmd.exe and click OK.

 

• Now right-click inside the CMD window -> select Run as an administrator.
• Type cd\windows\syswow64 and press Enter.
• Now type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll and press Enter.
• Install the QuickBooks software application again.

Downloading MSXML.msi file

• Click the Windows Start button, and in the Search Programs and Files search box, type exe /fvaum “%userprofile%\desktop\msxml.msi and hit Enter.
• Installing QuickBooks after installing MSMXL.
• Execute the installation.

Solution 4 – Eliminating the ECML file and renaming the entitlement file

Open the run command and type this path: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8, and then enter it there (or at the appropriate location on your system where QuickBooks saves entitlement information).

• Now click Ok to open Windows Explorer at that location.
• Now click Ok, and you can easily locate the ecml file.
• Click on it and choose the delete option.
• Try running the application again after closing it.

For Windows XP :

• Choose Start and open the Run command window.
• In the open field, type  C://Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataIntuitEntitlement Clientv2.
• Now tap Ok -> ‘delete the Entitlement DataStore.ecml file’ or you have to rename it to fix the issue.

For Windows 7 :

• Follow this path, : ‘C:/Program/Data/Intuit/EntitlementClientv’.
• Now you have to rename the Entitlement data file so that the QuickBooks app can generate a new file for you.
• In case you can’t find the program data folder, chances are they are hidden.

Follow the steps below to unhide the folder:

• Move to Organize option -> folder -. Search options.
• Click on hidden files and folders and open QuickBooks to check whether the issue has been resolved or not

How Can You Update QuickBooks Desktop (including enterprise) to its Recent Version?

Step 1 – Ensure your company file is ready for update

• Log in as admin into QuickBooks, where the admin must have a password.
• Move to the company menu -> Users and choose Edit the admin user.
• Eliminate all special characters like ‘:’, ‘&’, and ‘/’ from the company file menu and ensure that the extension is .qbw.
• Now exit from QuickBooks and restart it.
• Move to the Windows menu -> choose Utilities.
• Select verify data and check whether the issue has been resolved or not.

Step 2 – Installing the recent version of Enterprise on the server

• Shut down all programs that are running and the anti-virus program.
• Choose Server install -. Database server and QuickBooks application.
•  If you want to install only the server, then install the update first. You can also use the full program if you want.
• Go through the on-screen instructions. In case you encounter any error message.

Step 3 – Configuring network and server settings

Follow below steps for network setup and QuickBooks to work in a multi-user environment :

• Go to Windows Start -> Programs -> QuickBooks -> QuickBooks Database manager.
• Choose Scan folders.
• Add the folder where you want to save the company file.
• Now close the Database server manager.

Step 4 – Installing the recent version of the enterprise on workstations

Uninstalling previous versions of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

To start with the enterprise, ensure all your workstations are using the same version of QuickBooks. In case a workstation is using an old version of the enterprise, then you cannot open the company file once it gets updates.

To uninstall old versions of the enterprise from workstations :

• Choose the Windows start -> select settings.
• Choose Control Panel -> Add or remove programs.
• Find the old version of QuickBooks -> choose Uninstall / Change and follow the mentioned on-screen instructions.

Download the recent version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise :

• Install the recent version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise on workstations 
• Shut down all running programs currently.
• Now double-click the full file that you have downloaded.
• Choose Server install, choose Database server, and QuickBooks application.
• Choose Express. In case you choose Select the Custom and Network, ensure to choose I'll be using QuickBooks on this computer, but the company file will be located on a different computer.
• Go through the on-screen instructions until the installation is completed.
• Now open your company file in the current version of QuickBooks.
• Now, log in as the admin. QuickBooks will generate a backup of your file before updating the file. When the company file gets updated, it will be opened.
  
  Read More : How can you fix QuickBooks Error 1317

Methods to update QuickBooks Desktop company files to the current version :

• After updating QuickBooks Desktop, it's compulsory to update the QuickBooks company file to the current version.
• Follow the steps below to update your QuickBooks Desktop Company file:
• Start your QuickBooks desktop application and go to File.
• Choose Switch to Single User mode and ensure all different users have created a backup before switching.
• When you are in single-user mode, go to File -> Backup Company -> Create Local backup.
• On the new window tab, select Local Backup and click Next.
• Tap Browse to choose the folder where you want to save it.
• Now, a test will be conducted by the QuickBooks application on the backup file -> tap Ok when that test is completed.
• Lastly, choose Save it now and tap Next to finish the backup process.

Conclusion 

Update to Windows 11, with the end of support for Windows 10, created new challenges for QuickBooks users.

By identifying these errors while understanding their root causes to resolve them, businesses can function smoothly while eliminating disruptions.

If all the above solutions don’t work, then you need professional help for the QuickBooks error that occurred after the Microsoft Windows update 2025 – 2026.

You can connect with our ProAdvisor Support team for assistance via chat or by calling +1(325)244-1757.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

1.  Should I Create a Backup Before Updating QuickBooks Desktop?

Yes, you have to generate a backup of your company file before updating. This method helps in avoiding loss of data in case something unexpected happens.

2.  How can I Manually Back up my QuickBooks Desktop company file?

Go to File > Switch to Single-user Mode > Backup Company > Create Local Backup, choose a location, and save the backup.

3.  I have just updated QuickBooks Desktop. Do I have to update the company file separately?

Yes. When you open a company file created in a previous version, QuickBooks will prompt you to upgrade the file. Always back it up first.

4.  How can I update QuickBooks Desktop Payroll to the latest version?

Go to Employees > Get Payroll Updates, select Update, and follow the on-screen instructions.

5.  Are QuickBooks Updates Free?

Yes, most product updates and payroll updates are free for active subscriptions.

6.  What is the Latest Version of QuickBooks Desktop?

As of 2025, the latest version is QuickBooks Desktop 2025 Release R6 (verified via the QuickBooks official site).

7.  What should I do after updating QuickBooks Desktop?

First, check your company file and make sure all users of that file can use it, and then lastly eliminate QuickBooks versions if required.

8.  I missed the automated update prompt to upgrade QuickBooks Desktop. How to Update QuickBooks now?

First, open your QuickBooks software, then move to Help and select Update QuickBooks and check for any available updates to manually install them.

9. What are the prerequisites for updating QuickBooks Desktop?

First, you have to sign in with a Windows administrator account. Then you have to use a QuickBooks admin account. Make sure your company file does not have any data issues, so it’s better to verify the file in the first place. Now, shut down all different programs and also include antivirus software. Lastly, you have to back backup your company file before updating it.