How to Fix QuickBooks Error 1712 [When Installing QuickBooks Desktop]

When you tries to install the latest QuickBooks update, but encounter QuickBooks error 1712 during the installation process, this error appears when installing QuickBooks on the primary or host or server computer. Generally, it appears with a warning message as shown below:

We’re sorry! Something went wrong with your installation.

Error 1712: One or more of the files required to restore your computer to its previous state could not be found. Restoration will not be possible.

This error appears on the computer screen when you try to install QuickBooks in a corrupted folder, or the operating system is damaged, or the user may experience it when there are some corrupted folders, or the OS the user is using is outdated or damaged and is blocking the installation/update process due to some system-level issues. It can further affect the system performance, which requires an immediate resolution of the issue. To resolve the error, we suggest that you uninstall the current QuickBooks software, after which install the program to a different path than the default location.

What Is QuickBooks Error 1712?

QuickBooks Error 1712 is a message strictly an installation error: “Error 1712. One or more of the specified files could not be found. In other words, this problem means that some necessary files or directories are missing during the QuickBooks installation process. Its cause isn’t something you’ll see while using QuickBooks, but rather, a problem with installing QuickBooks. This is fundamentally a QuickBooks desktop installation error.

Causes of QuickBooks Error Code 1712

Understanding the specifics of the issue is essential for troubleshooting. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits behind QuickBooks Error 1712:

• Faulty or Lost Installation Components

The primary reason can be when the QuickBooks installation files have been corrupted or left missing information. It may happen while you download, send files or if the disc used for installation is broken.

• Damaged or Corrupted Windows Operating System Files

QuickBooks uses a lot of Windows components and system files to be successfully installed. A sudden power cut, surge, attack by malware or a questionable update can let these files become corrupt, resulting in Error 1712.

• Issues with the Windows Registry

The low-level configuration within Windows uses a Registry in an organized database structure in a way that trees are organized in a hierarchy. The errors encountered by the QuickBooks installer may take place due to registry errors such as corrupted links or missing information.

• Incompatible or Conflicting Third-Party Applications

Software installed on your computer for security reasons (such as antivirus, firewalls, etc.) may mistake the QuickBooks installer for a threat and stop it from accessing important elements needed for the installation. Also, you might find that other programs running in the background interfere with the installation.

• Insufficient User Account Permissions

You need administrative access on the user account running the QuickBooks setup to achieve a successful installation. If your user not have these permissions, installation may result in Error 1712.

• Files Created during Earlier QuickBooks Installs

If some uninstalled QuickBooks files or registry entries are left over, it might cause Error 1712 at the time of a new installation.

• Outdated or Corrupted .NET Framework

Many Windows applications, including QuickBooks, rely on the Microsoft .NET Framework. Any problems with the framework’s files can prevent the game installation from working.

• Malware or Virus Infection

Errors due to malicious software might include compromising the system, messing up files and messing up software installations, leading to Error 1712.

• Troubles involving Hard Drives

In some cases, Error 1712 appears when parts of the hard drive are damaged because the installer program has trouble writing the required files.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error 1712 When Installing QuickBooks Desktop

Fixing QuickBooks Error 1712 generally follows a systematic approach where one begins from the easiest to the more difficult tasks. You should follow through each step as indicated, and in addition, the operating system must be restarted after any main solution is applied.

Solution 1: Run Quick Fix My Program from the QuickBooks Tool Hub

Step 1: Download and Install the QuickBooks Tool Hub

• First, close your QuickBooks Desktop software.
• Next, you have to download the most recent version (1.6.0.8) of QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Save the file somewhere you can easily find the same

Note: If you can figure out which version of Tool Hub you have if you’ve installed it before. The Home tab will appear. The latest version will be found at the bottom of the page.

• Now, open the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file that you have downloaded.
• Perform the instructions that appear on your screen and also agree to the terms and conditions.
• After the installation completes then double-click on the Windows desktop to open the Tool Hub.

Step 2: Run Quick Fix My Program from the QuickBooks Tools Hub

QuickBooks will shut down any lingering background processes as a result of the Quick Fix. Your program will undergo a brief repair.

• Select Program Problems from the QuickBooks Tools Hub.
• Select the “Quick Fix My Program” from the drop-down menu.

Solution 2: Update Your QuickBooks Desktop to the Latest Release

QuickBooks Desktop can be updated automatically or manually. When you enable Automatic Updates, QuickBooks automatically downloads and installs the most recent updates as soon as they become available. Check for updates at least once a month if you opt to do them yourself.

If there is any new update available, you can perform the below steps to update the latest update release:

• The very first, download the latest updates
• Close the company files as well as QuickBooks
• Next, press the Windows Start menu to open it.
• Look for the QuickBooks Desktop and then right-click on the icon.
• Select the “Run as an Administrator” option.
• Move to the “No Company Open” screen and select the Help menu.
• After that, select the “Update QuickBooks Desktop” option.
• Now, go to the tab called “Update Now”.
• Then select the checkbox “Reset Update”.
• Once everything is set then select the “Get Updates” option.

Once the updates are successfully done then open your QuickBooks Desktop once again. Select the “Yes” button to install the updates. After the installation process, restart your PC once again.

Solution 3: Use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

The QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool (QBInstallTool.exe) is an official utility provided by Intuit designed to diagnose and fix QuickBooks installation error 1712 and other common installation errors.

Downloading the Tool

• Go to the Intuit official support site.
• In the browser search bar, type “QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool” or “QBInstallTool.exe”.
• Install the application on your mobile phone or any compatible device with the latest version of the tool. Transfer it to the desktop for easier access.

Close all windows, programs and applications.

It is important to close all the programs that are open including QuickBooks that is running in the background before the tool is used.

Run the Tool

• Look for the QBInstallTool.exe in the folder where you have downloaded the tool.
• Click the application’s executable file twice to start it.
• The tool will begin identifying and resolving typical installation difficulties automatically. Since this process usually takes from 20 minutes up, don’t rush.

Restart your computer

As soon as the tool finishes, restart the computer.

Attempt to install QuickBooks

Restart your computer, and once it is back on, try again to install the QuickBooks Desktop version.

Solution 4: Repair windows components manually

In the multi-windows version, the error 1712 in QuickBooks is frequently caused by the corruption in the base Windows components. The error can be fixed by either manually cleaning components or checking their integrity.

Repair Microsoft .NET Framework:

Check the current version of .NET Framework.

QuickBooks will only work with certain releases of the .NET Framework. Windows features may be turned on or off in Control Panel > Programs and Features > Installed Windows Versions.

Repair or Reinstall

Windows 10/8.1/8:

• First of all, Go to Control Panel and then you need to open Programs and Features.
• On the left side, click the link Turn Windows features on or off.
• Download .NET Framework 3.5, plus the .NET Framework 4.x Advanced Services.
• Turn off both features, tap OK and restart your PC.
• Do steps 1 through 3 again, but select both the boxes and press OK to have Windows retrieve and install the required elements. Try restarting your computer a second time.

Windows 7/Vista

Get and install a new version of the needed .NET Framework by going to the official Microsoft site. You should remove any current damaged versions you see in Control Panel > Programs and Features first.

Repair Microsoft MSXML

• Download MSXML

The download for MSXML 6.0, the latest Microsoft Core XML Services, can be done at the Microsoft download centre.

• Install MSXML

Run the downloaded file to fix or reinstall MSXML on your system.

• Restart Computer

Restart your computer immediately following the installation.

Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan

The SFC command looks for and restores any broken files in your system.

• Launch the program by using Command Prompt as administrator.
  • Look for cmd by typing it into the Windows search bar.
  • Tap and hold on “Command Prompt” to get the menu and then pick “Run as Administrator”.
• Run the SFC Scan tool.
  • In Command Prompt, you should write sfc /scannow and then press Enter on your keyboard.
  • It takes a long time to complete this process. Don’t open up your computer until you see a message such as “No issues found by Windows Resource Protection” or “Windows Resource Protection discovered and repaired problems in the system.”
• Restart Computer
  • After the scan, close all the programs running and start your computer again.

Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Tool

If SFC does not fix the problems, using the DISM tool will repair the image of Windows.

Put the following into a terminal:

• regsvr32 MSXML6.dll
• Type Enter and start the system up again.

Solution 5: End Background Processes in Task Manager

When multiple applications run at the same time as the QuickBooks installation, it may cause problems. Ending unnecessary processes can free up resources and prevent conflicts, which can help to fix QuickBooks installation error 1712.

• Access Task Manager.
  • Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by clicking the right mouse menu on the Taskbar and clicking “Task Manager.”
  • Go to the “Processes” section.
• Find and Eliminate Unwanted Processes
  • Check which apps do not need to be installed for your system to work. Commonly, you’ll find web browsers, media players, messaging apps and applications that are using a lot of resources listed here.
  • Do not terminate key system processes like explorer.exe, especially antivirus software, unless you are sure it’s causing you trouble.
  • Pick the action you want and then click on “End task.”
• Disable Startup Programs for increased security (if you like, but it’s strongly recommended).
  • Open the “Startup” area in Task Manager.
  • Turn off any programs that you don’t have to use when Windows starts. Because of this, there may be fewer disputes in the future.
• Run the QuickBooks installation process.
  • After you stop all these applications, set up QuickBooks from the start again.

Solution 6: Create a New Windows User Account

Sometimes errors while installing an application can be triggered by a corrupted user profile. In such a case, creating a new administrative user profile can really resolve the particular issues with that profile and thus help to fix QuickBooks installation error 1712.

• Create a New User Account
  • On Windows 10/11, select Settings and then Accounts, then Family & other users (or “Other users”). Hit “Add someone else to this PC” and use the steps on the screen to set up a local account.
  • Windows 7/8/8.1: On the Control Panel, select User Accounts, then Manage another account, and then create a new account.
• Set the Application as an Administrator
  • Ensure the account that you have created has Administrator privileges.
  • To set another account to be an administrator, you need to go to the settings, then change the account type, and check the box for Administrator.
• Log in to the New Profile
  • After that, log in using the account you made as an administrator.
• Try installing QuickBooks.
  • Try this new administrator user profile to install QuickBooks Desktop. A successful installation will give you the liberty to make this new profile your primary profile or move your data and setup into it.

Solution 7: Apply System Restore (If Applicable)

If Error 1712 in QuickBooks started recently after some system change (like a Windows update or new software installation), System Restore can bring the system to an older state, wherein the QuickBooks installation was possible.

• Search for System Restore
  • In the search area in Windows, search for “Create a restore point” and press the result that appears.
• Open System Restore.
  • To launch System Restore, select it from the System Properties window.
• Choose a Restore Point
  • Hit “Next,” then select one of the earlier restore points to get results before you encountered Error 1712.
  • You can expand your view by checking “Show more restore points.”
• Confirm and Start Restore
  • Press “Next” and then “Finish” so your first update begins. Your computer will start again and go back to the moment you selected.

Note: You should know that System Restore won’t change your personal files but it will remove programs and drivers put in place after you choose your restore point.

• Go through the easy installation of QuickBooks.
  • When the system restore is done, install QuickBooks once more.

Solution 8: Perform a Clean Install of QuickBooks Desktop

This is a more drastic solution, often used when all other troubleshooting steps fail to fix QuickBooks installation error 1712. You should uninstall QuickBooks and then reinstall it from scratch. It makes certain that no files left over from previous installations have any effect.

Backup Your Company Files

Be sure to make a complete backup of all your company files (.QBW) before continuing. You should duplicate these files on a hard drive or in the cloud. It is vital because a clean install gets rid of all your old QuickBooks data.

Uninstall QuickBooks Desktop

• Through Control Panel
  • Control Panel > Programs and Features (or Apps & Features in Windows 10/11 Settings)
  • From the list, decide on “QuickBooks Desktop” and then click the “Uninstall” button next to it.
  • Let the computer guide you to finish the uninstallation.
• Using the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool.
  • You can find the QuickBooks Clean Install Tool on the Intuit support site.
  • Run the tool. All QuickBooks files and registry entries will be automatically eliminated which ensures your system is cleaned fully.
  • Reboot the system right after the tool finishes working.

Manually Delete QuickBooks Folders (If Clean Install Tool is Not Used or as Extra Measure)

A few folders might still be there after uninstallation. Manually delete those things yourself.+

• Show hidden files and folders in Settings.
  • In the File Explorer window, click View, then select Options and finally, Change folder and search options.
  • On the View tab, look for “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and check this box. Select “Apply” and “OK” after that.

Clean the Windows Registry (Advanced User – Use with Caution)

• Warning

If you edit the Windows Registry wrongly, your computer may become very unstable. It is strongly encouraged to create a restore point or back up the registry before you continue.

• Search for QuickBooks Entries

Start by going to the Run dialog and typing in regedit before pressing Enter. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Intuit and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intuit. Remove all subkeys linked to QuickBooks in the registry.

Download a Fresh QuickBooks Installer

You can either download a new QuickBooks Desktop installer from the Intuit website or through your account on Intuit. Do not rely on an old or possibly damaged installer.

Install QuickBooks Desktop

• Disable Antivirus/Firewall

Before you install, you should disable your antivirus and Windows Firewall software. Be sure to switch them back on after you’ve completed the installation.

• Run as Administrator

Hit the right mouse button on the file you just got and choose “Run as administrator.”

• Follow On-Screen Prompts

Do what the directions say to install the closet.

Conclusion

QuickBooks Error 1712 is a frustrating installation error that can halt your accounting tasks before they even begin. When you are aware of why this error happens and use the right set of solutions, it can be resolved completely. If your QuickBooks Desktop isn’t running well, using the solutions in this guide should help you resolve the problem. If you are careful with installing and maintaining your system, you will probably not have such issues in the future. The ability to fix QuickBooks installation error 1712 is crucial for seamless business operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

---