How To Reset Passwords in QuickBooks Desktop

Forgetting your password can be extremely frustrating. In this training I’m going to show you how to reset the password in QuickBooks Desktop as both an administrator and a user so you’ll never be locked out of your account.

I’m using QuickBooks Premier 2019 in the screenshots but the steps will be the same in QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier or QuickBooks Enterprise.

License Number

The first thing you’ll want to do is click on Help in the top menu bar. At the bottom of the list click on “About QuickBooks…” 

QuickBooks Premier Help Menu

An image will pop-up with the license and product number for your QuickBooks account.

QuickBooks License and product number

Since this is an image you can’t copy and paste these numbers. You’ll need to save the license number, you can write it down or use screen capture software. I use the snipping tool.

Password Reset as Administrator

Now that you have your license number saved you’ll want to open your Quickbooks file.  

You’ll see the screen asking for your password. Click “I forgot my password”.

QuickBooks Desktop login screen I forgot my password link.

You’ll be taken to a password reset screen which will ask for that License number you saved.

Reset QuickBooks Administration Password page

Fill in the fields and click the blue OK button.

You’ll see another box stating that a password reset code has been emailed to you.

Password reset code message in QuickBooks Desktop.

Enter the code you were emailed and click the blue OK button.

If the earlier information, like the License number, were incorrect, you would not receive the email with the password reset code.

You will now be see a screen were you can enter a new password.

QuickBooks Desktop new password entry screen.

After creating your new password and entering a challenge question you’ll be taken back to the login screen. Enter your newly created password to login to Quickbooks.

It may show you a “Change Your Password” screen that looks almost identical to the “Reset Quickbooks Administrator Password” screen you just filled out. You’ll need to fill this screen in as well.

QuickBooks Desktop Change Your Password screen

After clicking the blue OK button you’ll see a box letting you know your password has been changed.

This option will only work if you are the account administrator.  

Password Rest for Users

If you’re a user or employee you’ll need to ask an administrator to login with their credentials and update your password for you.

To do this they’ll click Company in the top menu. Then they’ll select Set Up Users and Passwords -> Set Up Users…

Selecting menu option for updating user password in QuickBooks Desktop

They’ll be prompted for their password to proceed.

The User List will open and they can select the user they’d like to update the password for and click the “Edit User” button.

QuickBooks Desktop User List

Another screen will open where a new password can be entered.

Enter a new password for user in QuickBooks Desktop

When finished entering the new password click the blue Next button and then the blue Finish button. The users password has now been updated.

You now know how to update the password both as an administrator and as a user. You’re now all set if you ever forget your password and can’t login.

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If you’d like you can watch me walk through this process in the video below:

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This content is for information purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a substitute for obtaining such advice specific to your business. Additional information and exceptions may apply. Applicable laws may vary by state or locality. No assurance is given that the information is comprehensive in its coverage or that it is suitable in dealing with a customer’s particular situation. Gentle Frog, LLC does not have any responsibility for updating or revising any information presented herein. Accordingly, the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent research. Gentle Frog, LLC does not warrant that the material contained herein will continue to be accurate, nor that it is completely free of errors when published. Readers and viewers should verify statements before relying on them.

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