Difference Between QuickBooks Upgrades and QuickBooks Updates

I'd like to take a moment and clear up the confusion that exists when discussing QuickBooks upgrades versus QuickBooks updates.

QuickBooks Updates

These are the software downloads that are "pushed" out by QuickBooks periodically to fix known problems in the software or to deal with other issues and concerns within QuickBooks. In some cases, these updates also add new functionality to QuickBooks (example - the updates for QuickBooks 2009 have added functionality that was not in the initial release of 2009), but generally, new functionality is added with a QuickBooks upgrade (see discussion below).

Here is the dead giveaway for a QuickBooks update:

If you see this on your screen when you start QuickBooks, it is telling you that there are some fixes to the software that QuickBooks needs to install. My recommendation is to choose "Install Now" and download these updates as quickly as possible on all computers that are running QuickBooks.The benefit to you is that you then have the most updated version of the software running in your business.

The R Factor:

When any version of QuickBooks is first released, it is considered Release 1, or "R1" for short. Each successive update to that version of QuickBooks that is released increases the "R" value. You can always quickly tell what Release or "R" you are on with your version of QuickBooks by tapping the F2 key on your keyboard. The following will appear (you can see this is on Release 6/R6):

To ensure that you are completely updated to the latest version of QuickBooks updates, simply click on Help > Update QuickBooks > Update Now. Let the download complete, and then restart QuickBooks. (NOTE: If doing this in a networked environment, plan these updates (especially for your server) for off-working hours to minimize disruption and hassles).

QuickBooks Upgrades:

An upgrade in QuickBooks is simply the new version/year of QuickBooks that is released. For example, a QuickBooks upgrade is moving from QuickBooks Pro 2007 to QuickBooks Pro 2009. Or moving from QuickBooks Premier 2008 to QuickBooks Premier 2009. Note that the key variable here is the YEAR of the product, not the "R" factor as mentioned in the QuickBooks update information above. Another example of a QuickBooks upgrade would be a move from QuickBooks Pro 2008 to QuickBooks Enterprise 2009.

In the past, QuickBooks has released a new version of their software each fall, sometime between September and November. If history holds true, we should expect the QuickBooks 2010 upgrade to be available in the fall of 2009. Now, if they would only give us a sneak peek into what new features are going to be available in QuickBooks 2010!

Get More Great Tips from Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert - download his free QuickBooks guides today!

Comments

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[Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert]

Hi Robert:

Thanks for the posts and feedback on my blog - appreciate it!

Regarding your situation with QB 2004 - since this product is no longer supported, you will be unable to download any of the updates to it via the QB web site (I just checked to confirm and you can't).

When you reinstall QB (if you haven't already, it will set you back to the release that was on the CD). From there, you're kind of stuck to get any further updates applied.

You can try your suggestion about copying the various download files you located and trying to apply them once you get the computer rebuilt.

My hunch is that somehow, Intuit has set it up so that this won't work and an upgrade would be needed.

Hope this helps..

Scott Gregory

[Robert L.]

Oops... In my previous message I meant would the QB automatic updates update me starting at R1 (or R2)and continue to my current R11, not "V1 (or 2) to my current version".

Looking in my C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks Pro1\Components\DownloadQB13\Patch\ directory, I see I have files qbpatch.exe, patchw32.dll, QBinstall.ini, a patch.ini file, and a ton of ".rtp files that look like maybe they were what was downloaded during the various updates. Maybe If I copied the patch.exe and the .ini and .rpt files on to external backup before reinstalling Windows, then put them back into that directory after I reinstalled, I could just run the qbpatch.exe file, and it would reconstruct all the updates from the .rtp files there, after my initial installation. Does that sound correct? I'm hoping so!

[Robert L.]

Hi Scott...

I just discovered your blog here, lots of GREAT QBooks tips and info here!

I have a question that I thought perhaps you could provide an answer to. I'm using an OLD version of QB (2004!!). I like it, and feel I have no compelling reason to upgrade to a more recent version (other than QB wanting me to keep Internet Explorer 6 installed on my system to keep it happy). However, I'm having some system problems and it seems likely that I'm going to have to re-install Windows from scratch, which means that I'm going to have to re-install QBooks as well.

This would be no big deal, except it has occurred to me that it may take FOREVER for Intuit to do all the updates that have been issued to this version since I originally bought it -- and that is assuming that Intuit *WOULD* even support re-issuing all those updates for such an old version! I'm wondering if there is a shortcut to getting my system up to date again, in a way similar to installing one of Microsoft's Service Packs when you re-install Windows. I believe my version of the software is QB Pro 2004 R11P (tho the box in the lower right corner of the F2 info page ["Versions On File] lists versions from V4.0T R5 to V13.OD R11). I'm hoping that somehow I could just get the single R11 update for this version and somehow use that to bring me up to date in one fell swoop. Do you know if something like this is possible? If not, do you know if Intuit's automatic updates would just start at V1 (or 2?), and keep sending updates until it gets me back to the same state QB was at before I re-installed? Do they still update versions as old as 2004??

Thanks SO much for any insight you might have to this, and for all your great tips out here!

Waiting with crossed fingers...

Robert (from Boston, just for general interest...)

[Scott Gregory, QuickBooks Expert]

Hi David:

Thanks for your post - I'll try to provide some insight into your questions.

On the ratings for the 2009 version - other than the complete re-write of the online banking tool in QB 2009 and the addition of multiple currencies, the other core tools in QB 2009 didn't really change that much.

When QB 2009 was first released, the online banking module was really criticized by many because it was so completely different from prior versions and lacked a great deal of the functionality that had been present in older versions of QB online banking.

Since the release of QB 2009 last fall, QB has been working hard to restore a lot of the missing functionality. They heard the complaints loud and clear, but it has taken them a while to rebuild it. My understanding is another update is coming out soon that will restore even more of the online banking functionality. Unfortunately, during this "rebuilding" time, a lot of users really got fed up with QB 2009. That is probably the main reason behind the low ratings.

The important thing to remember is that QB has kept the invoicing, bill paying, and check writing features (core business requirements) constant from year to year. I don't know what lies in store for QuickBooks 2010 in relation to these aspects of the software, but I have to think they'll keep those core tools working as they have in the past.

As far as the question about deteriorating software - I think you may be referring to the forced upgrade policy that QB has IN SOME CASES. I'll try to explain..

Let's say you buy QuickBooks 2010 when it is released this fall. That version of QB will keep working for years, basically until your computer stops working. So there is no deterioration to it. There are still some businesses using QB 2002 products as an example - it is still working just fine in 2009, even though it is 7 years old.

Here is the catch - if you tie your QuickBooks 2010 into the QB payroll, merchant services (credit cards) or other Intuit services, you have to get an upgrade to QB once every 3 years in order for the connections to those services to keep working. If you don't get an upgrade at the end of that 3 year window, QB keeps working, but you lose the functionality of these other services. In addition, you also miss out on any new features they build into the software. Some have voiced complaints about this forced upgrade process, but think of it as a reinvestment in your business. In most cases, there are usually enough new features in QB over that 3 year span that it makes sense to upgrade anyway.

Speaking to the older versions of QB that you see on secondary sites, my only advice is "buyer beware".

It is true that customer satisfaction has its' place in evaluating software, but I wouldn't let the 2009 ratings scare you away from QB. Many of my clients are using it just fine. The key thing to me is finding software that will fit the needs of your business.

I'd be happy to help your business make the transition into accounting software as hassle-free as possible.

[David B. Fortier]

This was a good post. I appreciate the information, Scott. I am a small business owner considering my first accounting software purchase. I am scared to death by the 2.5/5 stars rating that the 2009 version gets on Amazon.com. But some past versions did a lot better with customer satisfaction.

I am told, however, that older software deteriorates functionality until you are finally forced to upgrade. Is this true? That is dirty! If I paid for the software it should work for as long as I care to use it in its original form.

Many older version of Quickbooks are available on eBay and advertised as un-opened and unregistered. Is there a version that doesn't decay?

Thanks a trillion for your blog. It's great!