How to Download QuickBooks Desktop 2017
QuickBooks Desktop 2017 added smart help, improved report filtering, and a more intuitive chart of accounts. While Intuit no longer provides updates, the desktop application still runs reliably for day-to-day bookkeeping. Follow the steps below to get your copy installed.
Written By Craig Winston
IT Content Strategist
Reviewed By Michael Torres
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Level 3
QuickBooks Desktop 2017 — Download, Install, Activation & Get Started
Complete Guide for QuickBooks Pro 2017, Premier 2017 & Enterprise 17.0
Important: QuickBooks Desktop 2017 Is Discontinued
Intuit ended all support for QuickBooks Desktop 2017 in October 2020. That means no more security patches, no bank feed connections, no payroll processing, and no online services of any kind. If you install this version, it will only function for offline bookkeeping — entering transactions by hand, running reports from existing data, and printing checks or invoices. Anything that requires an internet connection through QuickBooks will not work.
QuickBooks Desktop 2017 had a solid run. It was the version that brought Bill.com integration to the table, cleaned up the invoice tracker, and ran nicely on Windows 10 when that was still relatively fresh. Plenty of businesses got years of good use out of it. If you already own a license and just need to reinstall it on your machine — or you're setting up an older computer for basic bookkeeping — this page walks you through the entire download, install, and activation process.
Just keep in mind: because Intuit pulled the plug on support, you won't be getting updates or connecting to your bank through this version. It's strictly an offline tool at this point. If that works for your situation, read on.
What's on This Page:
- What is QuickBooks Desktop 2017?
- Pro vs. Premier vs. Enterprise 17.0 — which one do you have?
- What was new in 2017
- System requirements
- What you get after purchasing
- Download steps
- Installation — step by step
- Activation
- Troubleshooting
- Should you upgrade?
What Is QuickBooks Desktop 2017?
QuickBooks Desktop 2017 is a Windows-based accounting program from Intuit that was released in the fall of 2016. It handles invoicing, bill tracking, expense management, reporting, and basic inventory — all from your local computer, not a web browser. At the time, it was one of the most popular small business accounting tools on the market.
When it was current, the 2017 version connected to banks, processed payroll, and received regular updates from Intuit. Since support ended in October 2020, none of those online features work anymore. What you're left with is a capable offline bookkeeping program — it still opens company files, generates reports, handles invoices and bills, and does everything that doesn't depend on an active Intuit connection.
What Was New in 2017?
Back when this version launched, these were the headline features that set it apart from 2016:
- Bill.com integration — For the first time, QuickBooks Desktop could sync with Bill.com for streamlined bill payment and approval workflows.
- Improved invoice tracker — A revamped dashboard that showed the status of every invoice at a glance — sent, viewed, paid, overdue — so nothing slipped through the cracks.
- Past due stamp on invoices — Overdue invoices automatically displayed a "Past Due" stamp, making it crystal clear to customers that payment was late.
- Pre-authorized debit payments — Businesses could set up automatic bank withdrawals from customers who gave permission, cutting down on manual payment collection.
- Improved report filters — Better filtering options on reports, making it easier to slice and dice your financial data without building custom reports from scratch.
- Windows 10 optimization — QuickBooks 2017 was built to run smoothly on Windows 10, which was still a fairly new operating system at the time.
Pro 2017 vs. Premier 2017 vs. Enterprise 17.0
QuickBooks Pro 2017
Best for: Small businesses, sole proprietors, basic bookkeeping needs
- Up to 3 users
- Invoicing, estimates, and recurring billing
- Expense tracking by customer, vendor, or job
- 100+ built-in reports — Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and more
- Bill management and accounts payable
- Basic inventory with quantity tracking
- 1099 contractor tracking
- Check printing and bank reconciliation
QuickBooks Premier 2017
Best for: Growing businesses, specialized industries, teams up to 5
Everything in Pro, PLUS:
- Up to 5 users
- Industry-specific editions: Contractor, Nonprofit, Manufacturing & Wholesale, Retail, Professional Services
- 150+ industry-tailored reports
- Sales orders and backorder management
- Inventory assemblies for building finished goods from components
- Business plan forecasting and budgeting tools
QuickBooks Enterprise 17.0
Best for: Larger operations, heavy inventory, bigger teams needing more horsepower
Everything in Premier, PLUS:
- Up to 40 users
- Advanced inventory — multiple warehouse locations, barcode scanning, bin tracking
- FIFO inventory costing, serial number and lot tracking
- Flexible pricing rules and custom price levels
- Capacity for up to 1 million list entries (customers, vendors, items)
- Role-based user permissions and advanced reporting
System Requirements
| Requirement | What You Need |
| Operating System | Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 Update 1, or Windows 10 (all editions) |
| Processor | 2.4 GHz minimum |
| RAM | 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended for Enterprise with large files) |
| Disk Space | 2.5 GB + additional space for data files |
| Screen | 1280 x 1024 resolution or higher |
| Internet | Not required (online services no longer available for this version) |
Windows only. Not compatible with Mac. Windows 11 is not officially supported — some users report it works, but there may be quirks since Intuit never tested or certified it.
After You Purchase — What You'll Receive
- Your Product License Key — The unique code tied to your copy. Guard this carefully — you'll need it during setup and any future reinstalls.
- Download Link — A direct link to grab the installer file for your specific version.
- Product Number — Identifies whether you have Pro, Premier, or Enterprise. You'll enter this during installation.
- Order Confirmation Email — Your receipt with all the license details and download instructions bundled together.
Tip: Since this is an older version, your license key is especially important. Take a screenshot, write it on paper, or save it somewhere you won't lose it. If you ever need to reinstall down the road, that key is the only thing standing between you and a fresh setup.
QuickBooks Desktop 2017 — Download, Install, Activation & Get Started
Step 1: Check Your Email
After your purchase, look for the email containing your download link and license key. If it's not in your main inbox, check spam or junk — sometimes order confirmations end up there.
Step 2: Click the Download Link
Click the link in the email to start the download. The installer file is roughly 300-500 MB, so give it a few minutes depending on how fast your connection is.
Step 3: Locate the Downloaded File
Open your Downloads folder and look for a file named something like QuickBooks.exe or Setup_QuickBooks2017.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: Gather Your License Info
Before you start the install, have your Product Number and License Key pulled up on screen or written down. You'll need both during setup.
Installation — Step by Step
The install process is identical for Pro 2017, Premier 2017, and Enterprise 17.0. Budget about 10-15 minutes from start to finish.
Step 1: Shut Down Other Applications
Close your browser, email client, Office programs, and — this one matters — temporarily disable your antivirus. Antivirus software sometimes interferes with QuickBooks installers.
Step 2: Launch the Installer
Double-click the setup file you downloaded. When Windows asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" — click Yes.
Step 3: Accept the License Agreement
Read through the terms (or at least skim them), check the "I accept" box, and click Next.
Step 4: Type In Your Product Number and License Key
Enter your Product Number and License Key exactly as they appear in your email. Watch out for extra spaces or mixed-up characters. Click Next.
Step 5: Pick Your Installation Type
Express Install
— Go with this unless you have a specific reason not to. It handles everything automatically.
Custom and Network Install
— Choose this only if you need to install to a specific folder or you're configuring multi-user access on a network.
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 your computer, and don't run anything heavy in the background.
Step 7: Finished — Open QuickBooks
When the installer finishes, click Open QuickBooks. A shortcut will also appear on your desktop for next time.
How to Activate
Activation verifies that your license key is legitimate and ties it to your computer. You typically have 30 days after installation to complete this step before QuickBooks locks you out.
Step 1:
Launch QuickBooks. On the very first open, it should prompt you to activate right away.
Step 2:
If no prompt appears, go to Help → Activate QuickBooks Desktop from the top menu.
Step 3:
Follow the prompts on screen. Online activation may still work, but since this is an older version, don't be surprised if it doesn't go through automatically.
Step 4:
If online activation succeeds, you'll see a confirmation message — click OK and you're done.
Phone activation may be required: Because QuickBooks 2017 is a discontinued product, the online activation servers may not respond. If that happens, go to Help → Activate → choose "activate by phone." Call the number displayed on screen, provide your validation code to the representative, and they'll give you a confirmation code to enter. This is common with older QuickBooks versions and nothing to worry about — it just takes a few extra minutes.
Troubleshooting — Common Issues
Download Stops or Fails
Remove the partially downloaded file, make sure your internet connection is stable, and try downloading again. If one browser gives you trouble, switch to another — Chrome and Firefox tend to handle large downloads more reliably.
Installation Fails or Freezes
Disable your antivirus, confirm you have at least 2.5 GB of free disk space, reboot your machine, and run the installer as Administrator (right-click the file → Run as administrator).
Error 1903 or 1904
Run Windows Update and install any available patches, then restart and try the installation again. If the error keeps appearing, download and install Microsoft .NET Framework manually from Microsoft's site.
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. Open QuickBooks again and re-enter your license key when prompted.
QuickBooks Crashes Immediately After Opening
Uninstall QuickBooks from Settings → Apps (or Control Panel → Programs), restart your computer, temporarily turn off antivirus, reinstall as Administrator, then restart once more.
"License Already In Use"
If you moved from an old computer, uninstall QuickBooks on the previous machine first. If that machine is gone or inaccessible, give us a call — we deal with this situation regularly and can walk you through it. Phone activation often clears this up on its own.
Firewall or Antivirus Blocking QuickBooks
Add QuickBooks to the trusted programs list in your antivirus settings. For Windows Firewall: go to Control Panel → Allow an app through Windows Firewall → check QuickBooks for both Private and Public networks.
Compatibility Issues on Newer Windows
QuickBooks 2017 was designed for Windows 7 through Windows 10. If you're running Windows 11, try right-clicking the installer → Properties → Compatibility tab → check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" → select Windows 10. This resolves most display and installation hiccups.
Still Stuck?
Call us at (870) 232-6314 or email info@accountingscart.com. We've helped people install every version of QuickBooks Desktop going back years — older versions included. We'll figure it out together.
Should You Upgrade from QuickBooks 2017?
If you're still running QuickBooks 2017 as your main accounting software, it's worth having an honest conversation about whether it's time to move on. Here's how to think about it:
You might be fine staying on 2017 if:
- You only need offline bookkeeping — manual data entry, reports, invoices, and checks
- You don't connect to your bank or process payroll through QuickBooks
- Your computer isn't connected to the internet (or you're comfortable without security patches)
- You're winding down a business and just need to access historical records
You should seriously consider upgrading if:
- You rely on bank feeds to download transactions automatically
- You process payroll or file tax forms through QuickBooks
- You want security updates to protect your financial data
- You need to send payment links with invoices
- Your accountant or bookkeeper needs a supported version to work with your file
- You've upgraded to Windows 11 and are seeing glitches
The jump from 2017 to a current version is significant — you'll get years' worth of improvements in performance, security, and features all at once. Your existing company file will convert forward to the new version, so you won't lose any of your data. Browse our shop to see what's available, or read our guide on buying Desktop without a subscription. If you're not sure which version makes sense for your business, give us a call and we'll help you sort it out.
Need Help with QuickBooks Desktop?
Whether you're reinstalling 2017 or ready to upgrade — we've got you covered. Visit our shop.
Call: (870) 232-6314
Email: info@accountingscart.com
