Is QuickBooks Desktop Being Phased Out?

August 22, 2022

Is QuickBooks Desktop Being Phased Out?

Most businesses rely on accounting software to keep track of their finances, manage their payroll operations, and maintain accurate records of their income and expenses. The most popular accounting software is QuickBooks by Intuit, which is available as both an online platform and a desktop application. However, Intuit recently announced that they will no longer be supporting older versions of the Desktop application. So, is QuickBooks Desktop being phased out? Well, yes and no.

This article will explain what's happening with QuickBooks Desktop and how people using older versions of their QuickBooks Desktop software can continue to use the service in 2022 and beyond.

Is QuickBooks Discontinuing Desktop Version?

Older versions of QuickBooks Desktop will no longer be supported. What does that mean? Well, it means that if you have QuickBooks Desktop 2018 or an older version, you will no longer be able to receive updates and patches, and you will lose access to some of the core features of QuickBooks, including payroll services.

Of course, updates are very important not only because they provide access to the latest features of QuickBooks but also because they enhance security features and keep your account safe from hackers and unauthorized users. Therefore, in order to keep your account secure and continue receiving security patches and software updates, you will need to switch to another version of QuickBooks.

The most popular version of QuickBooks these days is QuickBooks online, which doesn’t require you to install any software on your computer. The platform is entirely cloud-based, meaning that it can be accessed from the internet at any time. QuickBooks online stores all of your documents, files, records, and registers online. This is an improvement over the older versions of QuickBooks Desktop because if anything happens to your computer, you will still have access to all of your files.

Another popular option is QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022, which has all of the same features as QuickBooks online, and many more features than older versions of QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022 will continue to receive support from Intuit well into the future. So, people who prefer using the desktop version of the QuickBooks software will still be able to, but they will need a QuickBooks Desktop Pro subscription.

Will There Be QuickBooks Desktop 2022?

Yes, there is a new version of QuickBooks Desktop in 2022, but it is the pro version of the software QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022. There are some key differences between the new pro version of the desktop software compared with the older desktop versions of QuickBooks. Most notably, QuickBooks desktop pro includes cloud storage so that all of your files and records can be safeguarded online, which helps eliminate the risk of losing your data if your computer is lost, stolen, or compromised.

Unlike the older versions of QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022 is only available as a subscription service, which means that you will no longer be able to purchase the software one time and use it forever. However, thanks to the numerous new features, cloud storage, and Payroll functions, the subscription is a great value, and it is tax-deductible for eligible businesses.

Intuit has announced that in the future, all of their software services will be subscription based, so it's a good idea to switch over to either QuickBooks online or QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022 now before you lose access to important features and functions.

Can I still Purchase QuickBooks Desktop?

Yes, you can still purchase QuickBooks Desktop, but only if you purchase one of the versions newer than QuickBooks Desktop 2018. So, for example, you can still purchase QuickBooks Desktop 2019 and newer. These versions will continue to receive support for the time being, but it's safe to say that they will be phased out as well in the coming years.

The best thing to do if you want to continue using the desktop version of the QuickBooks software is to purchase the newest version, QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022, which will continue to receive support and updates for many years to come. Alternatively, you may want to use QuickBooks Online instead. QuickBooks Online is always backed up to the cloud, so it includes advanced security, and it also saves space on your computer because nothing needs to be downloaded.

How long is QuickBooks Desktop Supported?

QuickBooks Desktop versions 2018 and older have already lost support for numerous key features such as payroll services, software updates, and security patches. It is unclear how long QuickBooks Desktop 2019, 2020, and 2021 will continue to receive support, but it’s probably safe to assume that they will also be phased out in the coming years.

Intuit has stated that the pro version of QuickBooks Desktop will continue to receive support, and the QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022, will receive ongoing support well into the future, but only if it is purchased as a subscription service and it will not be available as a stand-alone product for a one-time purchase.

Summary

QuickBooks is the premier accounting software used by millions of businesses around the world. There are several versions of the software available, including QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, and QuickBooks Online.

Intuit, the company that makes QuickBooks, recently announced that they will no longer be supporting the older versions of QuickBooks Desktop software and that users wishing to continue using the desktop application will need to switch over to one of the pro versions of the software, such as QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2022, which will continue to receive security updates and support for many years to come.

Alternatively, a user may choose to switch over to QuickBooks online, which includes advanced security features, and cloud storage, making it a viable solution for many businesses. Another benefit of using QuickBooks Online is that you don't need to install any software on your computer as it is completely cloud based and does not require installation.

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