How to Download QuickBooks Desktop 2015
QuickBooks Desktop 2015 introduced income tracker improvements, better pinned notes on transactions, and streamlined bill payments. If you have a valid license key, you can still install and use it without any subscription. Here's how to download it.
Written By Craig Winston
IT Content Strategist
Reviewed By Michael Torres
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Level 3
QuickBooks Desktop 2015 — Download, Install, Activation & Get Started
Complete Guide for QuickBooks Pro 2015, Premier 2015 & Enterprise 15.0
Important — This Version Is Discontinued. Intuit ended all support for QuickBooks Desktop 2015 in May 2018. That means no more updates, no security patches, no payroll, no bank feeds, and no online backup. If you still use it, it works fine for offline bookkeeping — entering transactions, running reports, printing invoices, that kind of thing. But anything that connects to the internet is gone for good.
QuickBooks Desktop 2015 was a solid release when it came out. Plenty of small businesses ran their entire operation on it for years. If you already own a license and need to reinstall it — maybe you got a new computer, or your hard drive gave out — this page walks you through downloading it, getting it installed, and dealing with activation. We've also covered the workarounds you'll need since this version wasn't built for modern Windows.
That said, if you're still deciding whether to stick with 2015 or move to something newer, read the "Should You Upgrade?" section near the bottom. There are real reasons to consider it, especially now that all the connected services have been shut off.
What's on This Page:
- What is QuickBooks Desktop 2015?
- Pro vs. Premier vs. Enterprise 15.0 — which one do you have?
- Features that came with the 2015 release
- System requirements (and Windows 10/11 compatibility notes)
- What you receive after purchasing
- Download steps
- Installation walkthrough
- Activation (phone activation will likely be required)
- Troubleshooting — including compatibility mode for newer Windows
- Should you upgrade?
What Is QuickBooks Desktop 2015?
QuickBooks Desktop 2015 is the version Intuit released in the fall of 2014. It was designed for Windows 7 and Windows 8, and it handled all the essentials — invoicing, bill tracking, expense management, basic inventory, financial reports, payroll, and bank connections. Back when it was current, it was one of the most popular versions of QuickBooks on the market.
Today, it still works perfectly well as an offline accounting tool. You can create invoices, track expenses, manage vendors, run Profit & Loss reports, and do your day-to-day bookkeeping without any problems. The parts that no longer work are the online pieces — bank feeds, payroll downloads, payment processing, and software updates. Those all stopped when Intuit pulled the plug in 2018.
What Was New in the 2015 Release?
When 2015 launched, it brought a handful of genuinely useful improvements over the 2014 version:
- Income Tracker — A dashboard-style view that showed all your incoming money at a glance: estimates, open invoices, overdue payments, and recent deposits. Made it easy to see where your cash stood without digging through reports.
- Pinned Notes on Transactions — You could stick notes directly onto invoices, bills, and other transactions. Handy for leaving reminders for yourself or flagging something for follow-up.
- Better Data Import from Excel — Bringing in data from spreadsheets got a lot smoother. The mapping tools were improved so you didn't have to fight with column matching as much.
- Sorting Improvements in Lists — Customer, vendor, and item lists got better sorting and filtering options, so finding what you needed was quicker.
- New Inventory Center — A centralized place to manage inventory items, check stock levels, and see purchase history. A real step up from the older inventory tools.
- Improved Memorized Report Groups — You could organize your saved reports into groups and run them all at once. Great for monthly closings or producing a standard set of reports for your accountant.
Pro 2015 vs. Premier 2015 vs. Enterprise 15.0
QuickBooks Pro 2015
Best for: Small businesses, solo operators, basic bookkeeping needs
- Up to 3 users
- Invoicing, estimates, and recurring billing
- Expense and income tracking
- Check printing and bill pay
- 100+ standard reports — Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, A/R Aging, and more
- Basic inventory tracking
- 1099 contractor tracking
- Income Tracker dashboard
- Journal entries and account reconciliation
QuickBooks Premier 2015
Best for: Businesses needing industry-specific features or more user seats
Everything in Pro 2015, PLUS:
- Up to 5 users
- Industry editions: Contractor, Nonprofit, Manufacturing & Wholesale, Retail, Professional Services
- 150+ industry-tailored reports
- Sales orders and backorder management
- Inventory assemblies and build tracking
- Revenue and expense forecasting
QuickBooks Enterprise 15.0
Best for: Larger operations, complex inventory, bigger teams
Everything in Premier 2015, PLUS:
- Up to 30 users
- Advanced inventory — multiple warehouse locations, barcode scanning, bin tracking
- FIFO inventory costing
- Custom pricing rules and price levels
- Capacity for up to 1 million list entries (customers, vendors, items)
- Detailed user permissions — control exactly who sees and does what
- Advanced reporting and custom report builder
System Requirements
| Requirement | What You Need |
| Operating System | Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 (officially supported). May run on Windows 10 with compatibility mode — see troubleshooting below. Does NOT officially support Windows 10 or Windows 11. |
| Processor | 2.4 GHz minimum |
| RAM | 4 GB minimum (more is better, especially for Enterprise) |
| Disk Space | 2.5 GB + space for your company files |
| Screen | 1024 x 768 minimum |
| Internet | Not needed for daily use (all online services are discontinued). Only needed for initial phone activation if the automated system requires a web lookup. |
Windows only. Not compatible with Mac. If you're running Windows 10 or 11, scroll down to the troubleshooting section for compatibility mode instructions.
After You Purchase — What You'll Receive
- Your Product License Key — The unique activation code tied to your copy. Guard it carefully — you'll need it every time you install or reinstall.
- Download Link — A direct link to grab the installer file for your specific version.
- Product Number — Tells the installer which edition you're setting up. You'll enter this during installation.
- Order Confirmation Email — Your receipt with all license information and setup instructions.
Tip: Save your license key somewhere you won't lose it — a printed copy in a safe place, a screenshot saved to the cloud, anything that won't vanish if your computer dies. Since 2015 is discontinued, getting a replacement key is much harder than it used to be.
QuickBooks Desktop 2015 — Download, Install, Activation & Get Started
Step 1: Check Your Email
After purchasing, look for the confirmation email containing your download link and license key. Check your spam or junk folder if it doesn't appear in your inbox within a few minutes.
Step 2: Click the Download Link
Click the link in the email. The installer file is roughly 300-500 MB, so give it a couple minutes depending on how fast your connection is.
Step 3: Locate the Downloaded File
Open your Downloads folder and look for something like QuickBooks.exe or Setup_QuickBooks2015.exe.
Step 4: Can't Find Your Setup File?
If you can't locate your QuickBooks setup file or the .exe file isn't in your Downloads folder, don't worry. You can download it directly from Intuit's official download page here: https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products. Just select your version, enter your license and product number, and the download will start.
Step 5: Have Your License Info Ready
Before running the installer, make sure you have your Product Number and License Key within arm's reach. You'll need both during setup.
Installation — Step by Step
The installation process is the same whether you have Pro 2015, Premier 2015, or Enterprise 15.0. Budget about 10-15 minutes start to finish.
Step 1: Shut Down Other Programs
Close your browser, email client, Microsoft Office, and — this one matters — temporarily disable your antivirus. Antivirus software loves to interfere with QuickBooks installations.
Step 2: Run the Installer
Double-click the setup file. When Windows asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" — click Yes. If you're on Windows 10 or 11, you may want to right-click and select Run as administrator instead.
Step 3: Accept the License Terms
Read through the license agreement (or don't — we won't judge), check the acceptance box, and click Next.
Step 4: Enter Your Product Number and License Key
Carefully type or paste your Product Number and License Key. Double-check for typos — no extra spaces before or after. Click Next.
Step 5: Pick Your Installation Type
Express Install
— The right choice for most people. Uses default settings and puts everything where it should go.
Custom and Network Install
— Only pick this if you need to install to a specific folder or you're configuring a multi-user network setup.
Select your preference and click Next.
Step 6: Let It Install
Click Install and sit tight for 5-10 minutes. Don't close the window, don't restart, don't unplug anything. Just let it finish.
Step 7: Launch QuickBooks
When the installer finishes, click Open QuickBooks. You'll also find a shortcut on your desktop.
How to Activate
Heads up: Since QuickBooks 2015 has been discontinued, online activation almost certainly will not work. You'll need to activate by phone. This is normal for older versions — it just takes a few extra minutes.
Activation ties your license key to your computer. Without it, QuickBooks will stop working after 30 days.
Step 1:
Open QuickBooks 2015. It will likely prompt you to activate on the first launch.
Step 2:
If it doesn't prompt you, go to Help → Activate QuickBooks Desktop.
Step 3:
Try the online option first — there's a small chance it still works. If it fails (and it probably will), select "Activate by phone" instead.
Step 4:
Call the phone number displayed on screen. An automated system (or a representative) will ask you to read your Validation Code — the long number shown in QuickBooks. They'll give you back a Confirmation Code. Enter it and click Next.
Step 5:
You'll see a confirmation message — click OK. QuickBooks is now activated and ready to use.
Having trouble with phone activation? Call us at (870) 232-6314. We've walked hundreds of people through this process and can help you get it sorted quickly.
Troubleshooting — Common Issues
Running QuickBooks 2015 on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (Compatibility Mode)
QuickBooks 2015 was never designed for Windows 10 or 11, so you may run into glitches — crashes, display problems, or the installer refusing to run. Compatibility mode often fixes these issues:
- Find your QuickBooks 2015 shortcut on the desktop (or navigate to the .exe file in Program Files).
- Right-click it and select Properties.
- Click the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and select Windows 7 or Windows 8 from the dropdown.
- Also check "Run this program as an administrator".
- Click Apply , then OK.
Do the same thing for the installer file if the setup itself won't run on your newer version of Windows.
Download Stops Partway Through
Delete whatever partially downloaded, make sure your internet connection is stable, and try again. If it keeps failing, switch to a different browser — sometimes Chrome handles large downloads better than Edge, or vice versa.
Installer Fails or Freezes
Disable your antivirus temporarily, confirm you have at least 2.5 GB of free disk space, restart your computer, and run the installer as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator). On Windows 10/11, also try compatibility mode on the installer file itself.
Error 1903 or 1904
Run Windows Update and install all available updates. Restart your computer and try again. If it still happens, download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework from Microsoft's website — the 2015 installer depends on certain .NET components being present.
Error 3371 — Can't Load License Data
Close QuickBooks completely. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8 and delete the file called EntitlementDataStore.ecml. Reopen QuickBooks and re-enter your license key when prompted.
QuickBooks Crashes Immediately After Opening
Uninstall QuickBooks from Settings → Apps (or Control Panel → Programs and Features on older Windows). Restart your computer. Disable your antivirus. Reinstall using Run as administrator and compatibility mode. Restart once more.
"This License Is Already In Use"
If you're moving from an old computer, uninstall QuickBooks from that machine first. If the old machine is gone or broken, phone activation usually clears this up — the system recognizes you're installing on new hardware. If it still won't budge, call us and we'll help you work it out.
Antivirus or Firewall Blocking QuickBooks
Add QuickBooks to your antivirus exclusion list as a trusted application. For Windows Firewall: go to Control Panel → Allow an app through Windows Firewall → find QuickBooks and make sure both Private and Public boxes are checked.
Still Stuck?
Give us a call at (870) 232-6314 or shoot an email to info@accountingscart.com. We deal with older QuickBooks installations all the time — including the quirks of getting discontinued versions running on modern hardware. We'll figure it out together.
Should You Upgrade from QuickBooks 2015?
This is the honest answer: if QuickBooks 2015 is doing everything you need and you don't rely on bank feeds, payroll downloads, or online payments — there's no emergency. It still works for offline bookkeeping, and plenty of businesses keep using it exactly that way.
But here's when you should seriously think about upgrading:
- You need bank feeds. Automatically downloading transactions from your bank saves hours every month. That feature is completely dead on 2015.
- You run payroll. No payroll tax table updates means you can't process payroll correctly. Filing wrong tax amounts creates real problems with the IRS.
- Security concerns you. No more security patches means any vulnerabilities discovered after May 2018 are permanently unpatched. If your computer is connected to the internet, that's a risk.
- You're on Windows 10 or 11. Running 2015 on newer Windows is a workaround at best. A newer version of QuickBooks is actually designed for your operating system and won't need compatibility mode tricks.
- Your accountant is asking for it. Many accountants now require data files from newer versions of QuickBooks. If yours has started dropping hints, that's worth paying attention to.
- You want to accept online payments. Sending invoices that customers can pay with a click is a newer feature that doesn't exist in 2015.
If any of those hit home, upgrading to a current version will make your life noticeably easier. We carry QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise — and we can help you figure out the right fit without any sales pressure. Browse our shop or read our guide on buying Desktop without a subscription. Just call or email and we'll talk it through.
Need Help with QuickBooks Desktop 2015 — or Ready to Upgrade?
Whether you're reinstalling your old copy or looking at something newer, we're here to help. Visit our shop.
Call: (870) 232-6314
Email: info@accountingscart.com
