Before buying or upgrading, it is worth checking that your PC will actually run QuickBooks Desktop comfortably. Intuit publishes minimums, but minimums and comfortable are not the same thing — particularly once your company file grows.
Minimum requirements
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | 2.4 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Disk space | 2.5 GB for the program, plus room for your company file |
| Screen resolution | 1280 x 1024 or higher |
| Internet | Required for activation, updates and connected services |
| .NET Framework | 4.8 or later |
Note on Windows: QuickBooks Desktop is a 64-bit Windows application. Server editions are supported for hosting the company file, but the workstation requirements above still apply to each user's PC.
What you actually want
The published minimums will run the software. These will make it pleasant:
- 16 GB RAM — especially if you keep Excel, Outlook and a browser open alongside QuickBooks, which almost everyone does
- An SSD — the single biggest difference in day-to-day responsiveness. Opening a large company file from a mechanical drive is noticeably slow
- 1920 x 1080 or larger — QuickBooks windows are dense, and the extra room genuinely helps
- Room to grow — company files expand steadily with years of transactions and attachments
Multi-user and network setup
In multi-user mode, one machine hosts the company file and others connect to it. A few points that catch people out:
- Every simultaneous user needs their own license
- All users should run the same version and year of QuickBooks
- The host machine runs the QuickBooks Database Server Manager
- A wired connection to the host is far more reliable than Wi-Fi for large files
- Company files should not be stored in a syncing cloud folder such as Dropbox or OneDrive — that is a well-known source of file corruption
Microsoft Office integration
QuickBooks can export to Excel, email invoices through Outlook and generate letters in Word. These require a supported Microsoft Office installation — the web-only version of Office does not provide the integration.
If you need that, a desktop Office license is the practical route. See our Microsoft Office licenses.
How to check your PC
- Press Windows + I to open Settings
- Go to System › About
- Check Installed RAM, Processor and System type (should read 64-bit)
- For disk space, open File Explorer and check the drive holding your company file
To find which QuickBooks version you currently run, open QuickBooks and press F2, or go to Help › About QuickBooks.
QuickBooks Desktop licenses at AvenKey
Pro, Premier and Enterprise editions with digital delivery by email after purchase.
View QuickBooks licensesFrequently asked questions
Will QuickBooks Desktop run on Windows 11?
Yes, recent versions are supported on Windows 11. Very old releases may install but are not officially supported and will not receive updates.
How much RAM does QuickBooks Desktop need?
8 GB is the practical minimum for comfortable use. 16 GB is worth having for larger company files or if you keep Excel and a browser open alongside.
Can I run QuickBooks Desktop on a Mac?
Not the Windows version directly. QuickBooks for Mac existed as a separate product but Intuit stopped selling new Mac Plus subscriptions in September 2024.
Does QuickBooks need to be on the same computer as the company file?
No. In multi-user mode the file sits on a host machine or server and other users connect over the local network. Each simultaneous user needs a license.
Do I need an internet connection to use QuickBooks Desktop?
Not for day-to-day bookkeeping. You need one for activation, updates, payroll tax tables, bank feeds and any other connected service.