QuickBooks Error the File Exists | Solutions Simply Answered

QuickBooks is amazing software, but as like other Windows applications, it also shows certain technical glitches and errors. One such error that we are going to discuss in this article is “QuickBooks the file exists” error that can appear while performing different operations in the QuickBooks Desktop app like downloading payroll update, paying scheduled liabilities, or while opening a state or a federal form. If you get this error, you might see one of the following error messages on your computer desktop “The file you specified cannot be opened. Make sure that it is not currently being used by another program or a read-only file.” or “The Windows error was “The file exists.”

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Reasons QuickBooks Get “The File Exists” Error

As stated by Intuit® a user might get “The file exists.“ or “The file you specified cannot be opened” error when the file that QuickBooks require to complete the request is in use by some other application or is a read erroneously by QuickBooks, some other reasons responsible for triggering the file exists error are listed below:

1. Outdated QuickBooks Desktop application. (Update QuickBooks Now)
2. User account does not have the required administrative rights on Windows. (Run QuickBooks as an Administrator)
3. Inactive internet connection.
4. Windows User Account Control settings are interrupting normal QuickBooks functioning.
5. Errors in QuickBooks Installation. (Repair QuickBooks Installation Errors)
6. Faulty Firewall and Internet security settings.

As the “The file exists” error might appear because of a number of different reasons, it becomes crucial to know the exact cause to apply the reason-specific troubleshooting method. Make sure to follow all the troubleshooting steps in the given sequence if you can’t figure out the real culprit behind QuickBooks error the file exists.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix QuickBooks Error “The File Exists”

Step 1: Check for QuickBooks Desktop Application Updates

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop and from under the Help tab click Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
2. Move to the Update Now tab and select Get Updates.
3. Once the updates are downloaded, restart QuickBooks and click Install Now on the QuickBooks Update Service window.
4. Once the updates are installed, try to perform the same action again and check if the error is resolved.

If you continue to face the same error, then follow the next troubleshooting method.

Step 2: Turn Off UAC in Windows Settings

Windows User Account Control settings are meant to protect the operating system from external threats by restricting their actions. Often-times, Windows UAC settings suspect QuickBooks processes as a threat to Windows security and prevents it from performing any action that results in errors in QuickBooks. Disabling UAC temporarily, allow QuickBooks to function properly that can fix the error. For detailed instructions of turning off User Account Control in Windows follow Troubleshooting Step 1 from our article on QuickBooks Error PS032 and PS077

Step 3: Allow Full Control Access to the User

Windows can be operated with different types of user accounts having different level of privileges. Admin user by default has full control access to files and folders on Windows and this is what QuickBooks requires to function correctly. Follow the steps listed below if your user account does not have the admin rights:

1. Right click the QB Desktop icon and choose Open File Location option.
2. Now hit the Backspace key on your keyboard or click the backward arrow at the top-left to navigate to the root folder.
3. Right click the QuickBooks Folder and choose Properties.
4. Under the Security section click Edit and choose Add.
5. Select Everyone and then OK.
6. Now choose the Full Control option and then hit Apply.
7. Follow the same steps mentioned above but instead of selecting Everyone, select your User this time.

Step 4: Re-register QuickBooks .DLL and .OCX file using Reboot.bat file

QuickBooks Reboot.bat is a utility that re-registers most of the crucial QuickBooks installation files automatically and helps resolve some of the most complex errors like “The File Exists” error in QuickBooks. Follow the

1. Exit QuickBooks Desktop application.
2. Right-click the QB icon on your desktop and select Properties.
3. Choose Open File Location and find the reboot.bat file in the folder.
4. Now right-click the Reboot.bat file and select Run as Administrator.
5. Wait until the black color command prompt window scrolls all the QuickBooks files and exits automatically.
6. Restart Windows and check if the file exists error is resolved.

Step 5: Configure Windows Firewall, Repair QuickBooks Desktop and Perform a Clean Installation of QuickBooks

1. For detailed instructions on how to configure Windows firewall ports, How to Repair QuickBooks Desktop and How to Perform a clean installation of QuickBooks Desktop application follow Troubleshooting Steps 3, 4, and 5 from our article on QBDBMgrN Not Running Error.

IMPORTANT: You might also get error “The File Exists” error while printing a form using QuickBooks Desktop, and in such case, we suggest you follow the given solution.

1. Press Windows + R and type Control Panel and hit OK.
2. Select Devices and Printers.
3. Right-click and select Remove on any printer that is no longer in use or is showing an error sign.
4. Exit QuickBooks Desktop and open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del keys together.
5. Click the Processes tab and right click QBW32.exe.
6. Select End Process and select Yes for confirmation.
7. Now navigate to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks if you are using QuickBooks Premier or navigate to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\(QuickBooks_version)\TSPrinterSettings\ if you are using QuickBooks Enterprise.
8. Find and delete QBPRINT.qbp file from the folder and open QuickBooks again to give a print.

In case if you are not feeling comfortable following any of the troubleshooting steps or if the given solution is not working for you then we suggest you get in touch with our Support Team at 1.855.738.2784. Our experts are proficient in handling QuickBooks Payroll update errors like the File Exists error and can provide you an instant solution to the problem in the shortest time possible.