Fix Error 1904 when installing QuickBooks Desktop

Learn how to fix Error 1904 when you install QuickBooks Desktop.

If you see a message about “Error 1904: [file path / name / extension] failed to register,” don’t worry. Your accounting data and company files are in good shape.

Follow these steps to fix Error 1904 in QuickBooks and get everything back on track.

Before you start

If any of these apply to you, skip to the special cases section at the bottom.

• You use Bitdefender
• You recently installed Adobe Flash
• The Error 1904 message mentions QBversionTool.dll

Step 1: Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool

Did you recently upgrade to a new version of Windows? If so, run the QBInstall Diagnostic tool to fix Error 1904. Otherwise, skip this step.

1. Select Ignore in the message window and finish installing QuickBooks.
2. Don’t open QuickBooks. This is very important.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Download and run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
5. Restart your computer again.

Now open QuickBooks. If you can open and work in QuickBooks, everything is fixed.

If you still see Error 1904, move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Change your Windows account settings

Switch to the Windows Administrator account to change some settings.

Switch to your Windows Administrator account

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type “CMD” into the search. When you see the CMD Run icon, right-click it and then select Run as administrator.
3. Type “net user administrator /active:yes” in the command window and press Enter. When the command is complete, close the command window.
4. Open the Windows Start menu and select sign out.
5. Select the account that says Administrator and sign in. You won’t need a password.

Change your user permissions

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type “File Explorer” into the search and open File Explorer.
3. Search for C:\Program Files\Common Files.
4. Right-click the Common Files folder, and then select Properties.
5. Go to the Security tab, and then select Edit.
6. In the “Group or user names” section, select Users.
7. In the “Permissions for Users” section, turn on the following permissions: Modify, Read & execute, List folder contents, Read, Write.
8. Select Apply and then OK.

Reinstall QuickBooks and sign out

1. Follow these steps if you need detailed instructions for installing QuickBooks Desktop. This shouldn’t impact any existing company file data.
2. When the install is finished, open the Windows Start menu and sign out of the administrator account.
3. Sign in to your usual user account.
4. Open the Windows Start menu.
5. Type “CMD” into the search. When you see the CMD Run icon, right-click it and then select Run as administrator.
6. Type “net user administrator /active:no” in the command window and press Enter. This hides your administrator account.

If you can open QuickBooks with your regular account, you’re good to go.

If you still see Error 1904 QuickBooks Getting Error While Installing, we recommend reaching out to an IT professional. There may be a general issue with your computer.

Special Cases

If one of these special cases applies to you, follow its specific steps.

If you see Error 1904 while installing Adobe Flash Player