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QuickBooks - Scheduling Automatic Backups

  • Updated

Issue Description:   

       This is a guide to scheduling an automatic backup within the QB and task scheduler applications.

Requirements to Complete this Process:

  • Admin server access.
  • Admin access to the QuickBooks file. 

Steps and Screenshots:

Source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/back-data/back-quickbooks-desktop-company-file/L9qYBI54v_US_en_US


Instead of manually backing up your company file, let QuickBooks do it automatically.

  1. In QuickBooks, go to the File menu and select Switch to Single-user Mode.
  2. Go to the File menu again and hover over Back up Company. Then select Create Local Backup.
  3. In the window, select Local Backup and then Next.
  4. In the Local Backup Only section, select Browse and select where you want to save your backup company file.
  5. Set the number of backups you want to keep. This is optional.
    Tip: No need to pencil it in on your calendar. Use the options in the Online and Local Backup section to set backu reminders.
  6. In the Online and Local Backup section, select Complete verification. This runs a test to make sure your backup file is in good shape before you save.
  7. When you're ready, select OK.
  8. Select Save it now and schedule future backups and then Next. Or if you don't want to save a backup now, select Only schedule future backups.

    Backup
  9. Select the Save backup copy automatically when I close my company file checkbox. Then select the number of times between backups.
  10. To create a schedule, select New. Fill out the data fields to create a backup schedule. You can set a specific time or day of the week.

    Schedule
  11. After you set your schedule, select OK. QuickBooks asks you to enter your Windows sign-in password. This gives QuickBooks permission to run the scheduled backup.
  12. When you're ready to create your backup, select Finish.
  13. If another UAC prompt pops up to place the Windows credentials, type in the Summit credentials *note only the server admin user can set up the task scheduler.
  14. Go to QB Backup task in the task scheduler, then Edit Properties.
    *You may also need to change the task to you as administrator.
    taskSchedulerProperties.png
    Source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/quickbooks-automatic-backup/00/657339
  15. If still not working, contact Intuit support using the numbers below:
    • Intuit - 866-340-7237
    • Intuit Canada - 866-935-7237
    *If Intuit does return a solution that requires our assistance, please submit a ticket and we will work with their instructions.

Additional URLs or References (as needed):

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/back-data/back-quickbooks-desktop-company-file/L9qYBI54v_US_en_US

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/re-quickbooks-automatic-backup/01/660224#M50110 

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/quickbooks-automatic-backup/00/657339 

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/install/scheduled-backups-are-not-working-in-windows-10-after-upgrading/00/210985/page/2

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