Installation Instructions for QuickBooks Pro 2008 by Intuit

To reduce the size of the file, many dialog boxes are shown as they could appear AFTER they have been completed. The data filled in during your specific installation may be different.

The installation of QuickBooks Pro by Intuit can be accomplished by following the instructions provided with the program. These instructions are available to explain the process or substitute for missing instructions.


If your computer does not auto start the installation when the installation disk is inserted into the drive, click on the START button on Task Bar. Then click on RUN. When RUN is clicked, Windows will present the following dialog box:

Using the drop-down arrow or by typing it in, enter the drive letter in which your installation disk is installed followed by a colon, a back slash, and SETUP.EXE, as shown above. When the dialog box is appropriately filled in, click on OK to advance.

And QuickBooks will present this dialog box after several seconds.

While the default is “YES”, it is recommended that you select “NO” on this screen if you are going to be using your data files on multiple computers since QuickBooks is sensitive to the version (QuickBooks, QuickBooks Pro, etc), the year (2008, 2009, etc) and update status of each application of QuickBooks opening the data files.

Then click NEXT.

And with a “Windows Installer” information box (no choices or actions appropriate) QuickBooks will inform you that is preparing to install the program.

Then QuickBooks recommends that all open Windows programs and virus protection programs be closed before continuing the installation.

When you are ready to proceed, click on NEXT.

QuickBooks then requires you to accept the terms of the licensing agreement. You should read, and print if desired, this agreement before selecting “I accept the terms in the licensing agreement.”

The NEXT button will remain dimmed and is not selectable until you click into the “ACCEPT” line.

When ready, click on NEXT.

In the Number of Users dialog box the normal selection is ONE USER. Intuit does allow, as stated in this dialog box, you to install QuickBooks on two computers at one time. For example, your desktop system at home and your laptop for school. With this installation privilege you are agreeing that 1) you will be the only user, and 2) that both installations will not be used at the same time, such as your roommate on the desktop system installation while you are using the laptop installation in the classroom.

Click NEXT when the appropriate selection has been made.

QuickBooks will present the License Number and Product Number dialog box. Enter the numbers as appropriate. The cursor will advance from box to box on each line but will not auto advance from line 1 to line 2.

Verify your numbers before clicking on NEXT to advance the installation.

QuickBooks will present you with the Select Installation Folder, as shown here. To accept a “standard” installation, simply click on NEXT.

If you desire QuickBooks to be installed in a different folder, click on “CHANGE” and follow the instructions and provide the necessary information.

QuickBooks will install, at your desire, Google Desktop into your QuickBooks installation.

NEXT will remain dim until you select YES or NO by clicking on your choice.

Make your choice and click NEXT to advance the installation.

And QuickBooks tells you it is ready to install the program into the folder shown. Clicking INSTALL will advance the installation.

During the install, which may take up to 20 minutes, with 5~10 being a normal range, QuickBooks will present you with a progress bar and informational screens about QuickBooks and some of its capabilities.

No action is required during this Install/Slide Show until QuickBooks tells you that the installation is complete, as shown in this dialog box.

Click the FINISH button to complete the installation.

Depending on your computer and its settings, QuickBooks Pro may or may not open at this time. If QuickBooks does not open, during the installation process an icon, shown here, was installed on your desktop. Double-click it to open QuickBooks. As a Windows compliant application, you can also right click the icon, and then select OPEN from the pop-up menu.

Upon opening for the first time QuickBooks will present you with this Automatic Update screen. There are no choices or options. Intuit is advising you that they would like to keep your installation of QuickBooks as up to date as possible.

Click on OK to continue into QuickBooks.

And QuickBooks will show you its opening desktop which allows you several options.

You may select any of the options by clicking on the appropriate one.

This completes the installation instructions chapter for QuickBooks Pro 2008. The next recommended chapter is Creating a New Company which will allow you to build companies for your academic challenges.