QuickBooks is a renowned accounting software developed by Inuit. Each year Intuit releases a newer version of its accounting software, and this year was no exception. Recently, Intuit released QuickBooks desktop 2021, the latest version of its best-selling software. Every new version comes with some great and improved features and functionalities, which leads to certain system requirements. System requirements should be the primary focus of the user before jumping on to the new version. Read ahead, to find out what your system needs for the best experience with QuickBooks desktop 2021 and system requirements for QuickBooks desktop 2021.
System requirements basically indicate the system configurations that are required to run the hardware or software application smoothly. If you are planning to switch to QuickBooks desktop 2021 and want to be more agile and efficient, then your quest ends here. However, you can also get your questions answered and learn more about QuickBooks desktop by directly speaking to our accounting professionals at 1-844-521-0490.
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QuickBooks desktop 2021 system requirements
Now that you are briefly introduced with system requirements, let us unleash the QuickBooks desktop 2021 system requirements in detail.
Operating Systems:
Here is the operating system list that is compatible with QuickBooks desktop 2021.
- Windows 10 all editions including 64-bit, being installed natively (This is designed)
- Windows 8.1 (Update 1) all editions including 64-bit, installed natively
- Windows Server 2019, Standard and Essentials
- Windows Server 2016, Standard and Essentials
- Windows Server 2012 R2, Standard and Essentials
- Windows Server 2012, Standard and Essentials
It should be noted that the QuickBooks user should use windows natively and not through an emulator or virtual environment.
Browser requirements:
Talking about the browser requirements, QuickBooks desktop 2021 demands internet access and Internet explorer 11 with 32-bit.
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Software compatibilities:
QuickBooks accounting software is integrated with hundreds of other apps. We have jotted down the common apps that one can use. It should be noted that additional RAM can improvise the use of these features.
- Internet explorer 11
- QuickBooks point of sale V19.0, V18.0, and V12.0
- Adobe Acrobat Reader: Business Planner, Payroll, and viewing forms need Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 or later
- Microsoft Office:
- Office 2019
- Office 2016, this includes Outlook 2016 both on 32 and 64-bit
- Office 2013 and 365, which includes Outlook 2013 both on 32 and 64-bit. It should be noted that Microsoft 365 is only supported if it is installed locally and not on the web version.
- Email estimates, invoices, and other forms with Microsoft Outlook 2016-2019, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo mail, and Outlook.com, other SMTP supporting email clients.
- Forming letters demands Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 including 64-bit.
- While exporting reports, it requires Microsoft Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 including 64-bit
- QuickBooks contact sync for Outlook is needed at the time of syncing with outlook. The point to be noted here is that the contact sync doesn’t work with the Microsoft business contact manager outlook plug-in, due to which syncing could lead to duplicate records.
- Outlook 2019 (32-bit), 2016 or 2013 are required for contact synchronization with Microsoft outlook.
- TurboTax 2020, 2019, and 2018
- Gmail, Yahoo Email, Windows Mail, Hotmail and AOL (this means Mozilla Thunderbird Email Client which supports the plain text version)
- Lacerte 2020, 2019, and 2018
- Quicken 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016
- Pro Series Tax years 2020, 2019, and 2018
- QuickBooks desktop for Mac 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2016
- Internet access with at least a 56 Kbps connection speed is needed by payroll and other online features and services. The user is recommended to have 1 Mbps of connection speed for better results. Also, DSL or cable modem is recommended.
- Adobe Acrobat reader is needed for viewing forms. The Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 or later is needed as certain forms might be difficult to open, for which suitable version is needed.
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Firewall and antivirus software compatibility
Below is a list of tested antimalware and antivirus programs in context to QuickBooks desktop Pro, and premier 2021, and Enterprise 21.0. Let us check it out:
Antimalware software
- Bitdefender
- F-Secure
- Kaspersky
- ZoneAlarm
- Webroot
- Avast
- McAfee
- Emsisoft
- Spybot
- Malwarebytes
- AVG
Antivirus Software
- F-Secure
- Symantec
- Avira
- Sophos
- ESET
- McAfee
- Avast
- Norton
- Kaspersky
- Trend Micro Security
- Webroot
- Panda Dome
- Bitdefender
It should be noted that QuickBooks will work with systems that are running Redundant array of inexpensive disks i.e. RAID, but it is not recommended as it might slow down QuickBooks desktop.
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Hardware and operating system requirements
System requirements include hardware and operating system requirements listed below:
- Processor: The minimum processor requirements are 2.4 GHz
- Disk Space: For disk space, one needs to satisfy the below requirements
- Minimum 2.5 GB of disk space is recommended and for data files additional disk space might be required
- Additional Software required for Microsoft .Net 4.7 Runtime is 60Mb, provided on the QuickBooks CD
- For intuit data protect in QuickBooks connected offerings, additional requirements include:
- At least 4.0GB RAM
- Also, twice the size of the largest file set to backup + 100MB or twice the size to restore. The space is needed from the work folder LocalApplicationData + Intuit\Intuit Data Protect.
It should be noted that for better performance, the user needs to store QuickBooks data file on a solid-state drive.
- RAM: The minimum RAM required is 4GB and the user is suggested to have 8GB
- Server RAM requirements:
- For 1-5 users, 8GB RAM is recommended
- For 10 users, 12 GB RAM is recommended
- For 15 Users, 16 GB Ram is recommended
- For 20 Users, 20 + GB RAM is recommended
- Optical drive: For physical CD installations A 4X DVD-ROM drive is needed
- Windows:
- Talking about the windows, the US version of Windows is required
- Regional settings are supported when set to English
- While hosting multi-user access for server system administrator rights are needed
- The windows should be natively installed and doesn’t need to run in a virtual environment or emulation software.
- Screen resolution:
- Display should be optimized for 1280 x 1024 screen resolution or higher with at least 2 extended monitors.
- Best optimized for default DPI setting for a given system.
Other hardware devices
In case the user is making use of Warehouse Manager in QuickBooks desktop mobile, the below stated devices would be supported and can be used:
- Zebra TC20/TC25/TC51 Mobile system is recommended
- Zebra MC40 Mobile Computer
QuickBooks desktop Enterprise 21.0 also supports the following:
- Symbol CS3070
- Socket Mobile CHK 7CI
- Honeywell Voyager 1602g Pocket Bar-code Scanner
Database Servers
- Windows (being installed natively)
- Windows Server 2019, Standard and Essentials
- Windows Server 2016, Standard and essentials
- Windows Server 2012 R2, Standard and essentials
- Windows Server 2012, Standard and Essentials
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Linux (While making use of QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions database server-only installation)
- OpenSuse leap 15.1, 15.2
- Fedora 31, 32
- Red hat enterprise 8 (RHEL 8)
See Also: How to Resolve QuickBooks Event id 4 Error in Windows?
To Summarize!
Now that you are well-versed with the system requirements for QuickBooks desktop 2021, configure your system according and get started with QuickBooks desktop 2021. Upgrading to QuickBooks desktop 2021 will definitely show a rise in your business accountancy graph and enhance productivity.
For any further queries, feel free to connect with our professionals. We have our toll-free customer support number for you +1-844-521-0490, where you can speak to our QuickBooks enterprise technical support team. Our team would love to answer you.
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