QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) – How It Works?

Have you ever lost important financial data due to a system crash or corrupted file? QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) is here to help. This feature, built into QuickBooks Desktop, is a powerful tool that helps small businesses restore lost or damaged company files and transactions. If your business relies on QuickBooks to manage accounting, ensuring data protection and recovery should be a top priority.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery, how it works, when to use it, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

What is QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery?

QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) is a built-in tool in QuickBooks Desktop (Pro, Premier, and Enterprise versions) that helps recover lost or corrupted QuickBooks company files. It works by automatically creating backup copies of your QuickBooks data and allowing you to restore data from those files if the original is lost or damaged.

ADR helps you recover:

• Lost transactions using your current Transaction Log (.TLG) file.
• Nearly all of your data (up to the last 12 hours) using a combination of ADR and the .TLG file.

Where is the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery Folder Located?

QuickBooks creates an ADR folder in the same location where your company file is saved. This folder typically contains:

• A copy of your company file (.QBW) – renamed with a .qbw.adr extension.
• A copy of your Transaction Log File (.TLG) – renamed with a .tlg.adr extension.

Example path: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files\YourCompanyName

Benefits of Using QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

• Automatic Recovery: No manual backup required. QuickBooks automatically creates ADR files.
• Saves Time: Recovers transactions and restores your file in minutes.
• Data Security: Minimizes risk of data loss after crashes or software errors.
• User-Friendly: Easy to use, even for users with limited technical skills.
• Supports Business Continuity: Keeps your accounting workflow uninterrupted.

This Read: QuickBooks Company File Repair

Limitations of QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

• Not available in QuickBooks Accountant Editions.
• The feature is available only for files under 1.5GB.
• ADR keeps backups only for up to 12 hours of activity.
• It does not work with online backup solutions.

Recovering QuickBooks Data Using the Auto Data Recovery Tool: Two Methods

Method 1 – Recover Recent Transactions with .TLG and .QBW.adr Files

To recover recent transactions using the Auto Data Recovery (ADR) tool, follow these steps:

• Create a new folder named “QBTest” on your Windows desktop.
• Now, navigate to the folder where your QuickBooks company file is stored.

Note: If you’re uncertain about the file’s location, you can find it by accessing the “Product Information” screen and selecting the “No Company Open Window.”

• Once you’ve identified your company file’s folder, search for the .tlg (Transaction Log) file, which usually shares the same name as your company file. If you cannot locate a file with the .tlg extension, follow these steps to reveal file extensions:
  • Open File Explorer by pressing ‘Windows+E’ on your keyboard.
  • In the File Explorer window, click on “Organize” and select “Folder and search options.”

Note: For Windows 10, 8.1 & 8 systems, click “View” and choose “File name extension.”

• Click “Apply” and then click “OK.”
• Copy your company file’s Transaction Log (.TLG) and paste it into the “QBTest” folder you created in Step 1.
• Access the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder, which is located in the same directory as your company (QBW) file.
• Copy and paste the .QBW.adr file into the “QBTest” folder, ensuring that both the .TLG and .QBW.adr files are present in the “QBTest” folder.

• To finalize the process, right-click on the .QBW.adr file within the “QBTest” folder and choose “Rename.”
• To complete the procedure, remove the “.adr” extension from the newly renamed .QBW.adr file.

Method 2 – Recover Transactions Using Copied Company and Transaction Log Files

To recover transactions using copied company and transaction log files, follow these steps:

• Open QuickBooks and access the company file saved in the “QBTest” folder.
• Use your account register to ensure all your transactions are present.
• Check the integrity of the recovered file’s data by clicking on “File,” then “Utilities,” and finally selecting “Verify Data.”
• If the copied company file in the “QBTest” folder contains the needed data, move the corrupted company file (QBW) to a different location. Then, save the copied QBW file from the “QBTest” folder to the original site.

Now, let’s recover all transactions except those from the last 12 hours using the .QBW.adr and .TLG.adr files:

• Start by creating a new folder on your desktop, “QBTest” or a name of your choice.
• Navigate to the folder where the original QBW file is stored and search for the “QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery” folder.
• In the “QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery” folder, locate the .TLG.adr and .QBW.adr files share the same name as your company file. For example, if your company file is named “MyCompanyName.QBW,” search for “MyCompanyName.QBW.adr” and “MyCompanyName.TLG.adr.”

Note: If you cannot locate the .QBW.adr and .TLG.adr files, it’s possible that your files are hidden, and you’ll need to reveal file extensions.

• Copy and paste the .TLG.adr and .QBW.adr files into the “QBTest” folder.
• In the “QBTest” folder, remove the “.adr” extension from the end of the Transaction Log and Company file names.
• Open QuickBooks and access your company file, which is now located in the “QBTest” folder. Verify all transactions using your account register.
• Use the “Verify Data” utility to confirm the accuracy of the data in the recovered file. To open this utility, click on “File,” then hover over “Utilities,” and select “Verify Data.”
• If the copy of the company file (i.e., the recovered file) contains all the necessary data, move the damaged QBW file to a different location and save the copy of the QBW file from the “QBTest” folder to its original location.

Final Word

QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery is a reliable tool for recovering lost or corrupted accounting data. While it’s not a complete substitute for regular backups, it serves as an essential safety net. If you’re facing QuickBooks data loss, our specialists are here to help you recover your files securely and efficiently. Visit smbaccountants.com or contact us today to learn more about our QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery services and get your business back on track.

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