For companies that rely on accurate financial records, the loss of QuickBooks data due to a hard
drive failure or accidental deletion can be quite distressing. If you move fast and follow the correct
procedures, fortunately restoring deleted QuickBooks data from a hard drive is doable. This tutorial
will discuss many ways to retrieve deleted QuickBooks files, typical reasons for data loss, and
preventative steps to protect your financial information going forward.
You should know what could have caused your data loss before digging into recovery options. Some
such explanations are:
Mistake Deletion
Users could accidentally remove QuickBooks files.
Hard Drive Failures
Data may become unavailable due to mechanical or logical problems.
Shortcomings in QuickBooks Files
Incorrect shutdowns or power outages may damage QuickBooks files.
Attacks by viruses or malware.
Malicious malware may encrypt or delete QuickBooks data.
Software Updates or Conflicts
Third-party software tampering or incompatible upgrades may damage data.
Errors Humanly Made
Data loss might result from mistaken overwrites or file mishandling.
Methods to Recover Lost QuickBooks Data
1. Check the Recycle Bin.
If you accidentally deleted a QuickBooks file, check the Recycle Bin first. To restore:
- Open the Recycle Bin.
- Look for the deleted .QBW, .QBB, or.ND QuickBooks file.
- Right-click the file and select Restore.
- Navigate to the original folder and check if QuickBooks can open it.
2. Restore from a QuickBooks backup (.QBB).
QuickBooks automatically creates backup files if enabled. To restore from a backup:
- 1. Open QuickBooks.
- 2. Click File > Open or Restore Company.
- 3. Choose Restore a backup copy and click Next.
- 4. Select Local Backup and click Next.
- 5. Browse for the .QBB backup file and select it.
- 6. Choose a location to save the restored file and click Save.
3. Use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR).
QuickBooks has an Auto Data Recovery (ADR) feature that allows you to recover recent transactions.
Here’s how to use it:
- 1. Navigate to the QuickBooks company file location.
- 2. Look for files named .adr (Auto Data Recovery Files).
- 3. Copy the most recent .adr file and paste it into a new folder.
- 4. Rename the file extension from .adr to .qbw.
- 5. Open QuickBooks and try accessing the recovered file.
4. Restore Using Windows Previous Versions
Windows automatically creates restore points that might help recover lost QuickBooks files. To use
this method:
- 1. Right-click the folder where the QuickBooks file was stored.
- 2. Select Properties.
- 3. Click on the Previous Versions tab.
- 4. Choose a version before the data loss occurs.
- 5. Click Restore and check if the file is accessible in QuickBooks.
5. Use Data Recovery Software
If none of the above methods work, data recovery software can help retrieve lost QuickBooks files.
Some recommended tools include:
- Recuva
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Disk Drill
- Stellar Data Recovery
To recover data using software:
- 1. Download and install the recovery tool.
- 2. Select the internal drive where the QuickBooks file was located.
- 3. Scan the drive for lost files.
- 4. Locate the deleted .QBW, .QBB, or.ND files.
- 5. Recover and save them to a different location.
6. Contact QuickBooks Data Recovery Services
Consider reaching out to Intuit's QuickBooks Data Recovery Services if your data is critically
important and all other options fail. They have specialized tools to retrieve lost or corrupted
QuickBooks files.
Preventive measures to avoid future data losses
Although retrieving lost data is feasible, the best course of action is always the prevention of data
loss. Here are some precautionary steps:
Frequent backups
Turn on automatic QuickBooks backups and save copies in many sites—cloud, external drive, etc.
Make use of cloud storage.
Extra protection comes from services like QuickBooks Online or outside cloud backup solutions.
Update Programs Frequently.
Make sure your operating system and QuickBooks are current to prevent compatibility problems.
Install an antivirus program.
Guard your PC from viruses capable of corrupting QuickBooks files.
Steer clear of sudden closures.
Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to stop power disruptions from corrupting data.
Restrain access to important documents.
Limit user access to stop unintentional overwrites or removals.
In conclusion
Although losing QuickBooks data from a hard drive might be upsetting, backup files, auto data
recovery, data recovery tools, and Windows restore points allow one to recover. Preventive actions
help you to protect your financial records and reduce future data loss risk. If the data is very
important, working with a qualified QuickBooks data recovery company might be the best choice.