QuickBooks error ‘The File Exists’: Causes and Solutions

If you received QuickBooks error ‘the file exists’ while opening the company file, it indicates the file is read incorrectly. The error usually shows up while updating payroll, paying scheduled liabilities or opening state and federal forms. The user encounters the error with messages, “The file you specified cannot be opened. Make sure that it is not currently being used by another program or a read-only file” or “the file exists.” This blog is all about acquainting users with QuickBooks error ‘the file exists’, its causes and solutions, so read carefully until the end.

If you are struggling with the QuickBooks error ‘the file exists’ error, then ring our customer support number 1-(800)-579-9430 and consult the certified QuickBooks expert’s team.

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What are the causes behind QuickBooks error ‘the file exists’?

The error shows up due to the following reasons:

Incorrect firewall and security settings.
Corrupt installation of QuickBooks.
The user is not logged in as an administrator.
Utilizing an old version of QuickBooks.

Let us walk you through the troubleshooting procedure given in the blog.

Possible Quick Fixes for QuickBooks error ‘the file exists’

Follow the troubleshooting solutions given below to resolve the error:

Solution 1. Get the latest update of QuickBooks

The steps given below will help you update QuickBooks manually:

Close QuickBooks.
Click on the Windows Start menu.
Find the QuickBooks icon on the desktop.
Right-click the icon and select the Run as administrator option.
On the No Company Open screen, hover over the Help menu.
Click Update QuickBooks Desktop.
After that, go to the Options tab and select Mark All.
Click Save.
Go to the Update Now tab and mark the Reset Update checkbox.
To start the download, select Get Updates.
After the update completes, restart QuickBooks.

If the solution given above didn’t work, proceed to the next one.

Solution 2. Change User Account Control Settings (UAC)

Follow these steps and turn UAC on and off:

Look for the QuickBooks Desktop icon and right-click on it.
Choose Open file location and tap the Backspace key once.
Right-click the QuickBooks 20XX folder, where XX denotes the year.
Choose Properties.
Select the Security tab and select Edit, then Add.
Select Everyone and then OK.
Choose the Full Control option and click Apply.
Now, repeat the two above steps but choose Users at the place of Everyone.
Open the Control Panel.
Within the search icon of the taskbar, write Control Panel and open it.
Now, in the search, type UAC.
Choose Change User Account Control.
Move the slider to turn on AUC.
Turn off UAC by moving the slider towards Never Notify and click OK.
Enter the password if prompted.
Restart the system.

We tried our best to help you resolve the QuickBooks error the file exists. If you face any trouble performing the steps or the error continues, get in touch with the QuickBooks technical support team by calling us on our toll-free number 1-(800)-579-9430.