Quickbooks Desktop no longer working after 26.1.2 upgrade

Discussion in 'Windows Virtual Machine' started by ChrisR46, Nov 17, 2025.

  1. ChrisR46

    ChrisR46 Bit poster

    Messages:
    3
    After I completed the Parallels 26.1.2 upgrade. Quickbooks Desktop Pro will no longer load files.
    Running a Windows 11 VM.
    Apple M4 Pro

    Anyone have this problem or have an idea what changed within the recent upgrade that would have broke things? The Quickbooks app loads fine, it's loading the actual QB files that no longer functions. Regardless of file location.
     
    Alison2 likes this.
  2. CoryL1

    CoryL1 Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    Best Answer
    This is the response we got from Parallels and it worked:
    This issue appears to occur after recent Windows updates when running QuickBooks 2024 on Parallels Desktop 26.1.2.
    Please try the below steps to remedy the situation:
    - Right-click the QuickBooks icon and select Properties.
    - Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
    - Click Change emulation settings.
    - Under Execution mode, select Very strict execution.
    - Restart your virtual machine to apply the changes.
    This compatibility mode ensures QuickBooks runs with tighter execution constraints inside the virtual environment, which can prevent UI freezes, gray screens, and unresponsive behavior.
     
  3. Blyonix7B

    Blyonix7B

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    2
    Rolling back to the previous Parallels version (if you have Time Machine or a backup) -- that solved it momentarily for me.
     
  4. GerhardG2

    GerhardG2 Member

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    90
    What Parallels version did you have running before the upgrade?
    Just reinstall that version and check if Quiickbooks runs again. Don't forget to reboot the Mac. What QB version (year) do you have running (I am just curious)?
    I am using QB Prem 2020 on my MBP M1.
     
  5. KariH3

    KariH3

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    1
    Did you ever find a fix to this? Having same issue
     
  6. ChrisR46

    ChrisR46 Bit poster

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    I use Timemachine... What did you have to do to rollback to the previous version?
    My short term hack was purchase a PC laptop. It was a pain in the a** but I needed to get working!
    I'm running QB Desktop Pro 2024
     
  7. GerhardG2

    GerhardG2 Member

    Messages:
    90
    Before I do an update to Parallels I download the installer first and keep it in my Software folder.
    If you still have a version 20 installer on your Mac you can install that. Or you can download it from the Parallels web-site. It will work with Tahoe.
     
  8. CindyT1

    CindyT1

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    1
    I would love to know how to roll it back as well. I am having the exact same issues with Quickbooks Desktop 2024.
     
  9. GerhardG2

    GerhardG2 Member

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    90
    I am not sure I am allowed to paste the correct link here, but you can do a Google search Downloads for Parallels Desktop scroll a bit down and look for Downloads - Install Parallels Desktop
    You should get a screen where you can select version 26, 20, and 19.
     
  10. ChrisR46

    ChrisR46 Bit poster

    Messages:
    3
    I can confirm rolling back to 26.0.1-57243 solved the issue I was experiencing with QuickBooks.
    What I don't know... How will I know when it's clear to install future upgrades?
     
  11. VoidB

    VoidB Member

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    26
    Okay, so it seems like the 26.1.2 update messed up file access. Other folks are saying the same thing. You should probably go back to the old version or just sit tight until they fix it. That seems like the best thing to do right now.
     
  12. EdgemontF

    EdgemontF Member

    Messages:
    39
    I am in the same boat and at my wits' end trying to figure out how to "roll back" to 26.0.1 I've spent weeks dealing with Quickbooks issues and yesterday it finally just stopped working altogether!
    I see NO WHERE these links to past versions of Parallels are provided. The only choice you are giving on the parallels site is Ver 26 which that .dmg that downloads is the dreaded 26.1.2
    Where do we find links to the previous versions?

    I can go into time machine back to mid September and see the old version sitting in my applications but I'm doubting I can just copy and paste that in place of 26.1.2 and run it without doing a proper install? What happens if I just click "Restore" on that Parallels appellation 26.0 from inside Time Machine?

    Any help is greatly appreciated!
     
  13. GeorgeBH

    GeorgeBH Bit poster

    Messages:
    5
    I am having the same problem. Parallels needs to fix this. Lots of Mac users have Parallels just so they can Quickbooks Pro 2024.
     
    Alison2 and EdgemontF like this.
  14. EdgemontF

    EdgemontF Member

    Messages:
    39
    It is literally the ONLY reason I have Parallels and Windows in my life - to run Quickbooks - solely for payroll!!!!

    BTW, there now seems to no longer be a way to call or chat "24/7" as guaranteed - but only to submit a ticket which I did 3 days ago, and have still not even had a response.

    I *DID* solve this for now by going back in Time Machine to Sept and grabbing a copy of my older Parallels application, trashing the current one and replacing it with the older 26.0. That at least let my Quickbooks work again!
     
    Alison2 likes this.
  15. Alison2

    Alison2

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    Just found this forum trying to figure out what is wrong with my Quickbooks! Ugh! I also run Parallels and Windows on my mac, solely for payroll! Unfortunately, my time machine didn't go back far enough to gran the 26.0. Anyone have any other suggestions? I'm even considering going and buying a cheap Windows laptop at this point! I've been trying to figure this out since Monday and I need to do payroll!
     
  16. CoryL1

    CoryL1 Bit poster

    Messages:
    1
    Best Answer
    This is the response we got from Parallels and it worked:
    This issue appears to occur after recent Windows updates when running QuickBooks 2024 on Parallels Desktop 26.1.2.
    Please try the below steps to remedy the situation:
    - Right-click the QuickBooks icon and select Properties.
    - Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
    - Click Change emulation settings.
    - Under Execution mode, select Very strict execution.
    - Restart your virtual machine to apply the changes.
    This compatibility mode ensures QuickBooks runs with tighter execution constraints inside the virtual environment, which can prevent UI freezes, gray screens, and unresponsive behavior.
     
  17. EdgemontF

    EdgemontF Member

    Messages:
    39
    This is interesting because I have STILL not gotten ANY response from Parallels even with two outstanding urgent tickets placed. No email, nothing. They just left me hanging with no way to contact anyone or chat or call. I used to be able to actually TALK to Parallels techs.

    I'd appreciate if others can try your fix and report back if it worked as I am now terrified to go back and update Parallels from the downgrade I was able to do. Its never a good time to not be able to use QB when we are running weekly payrolls for people, but we REALLY can't mess around when it is end of Quarter & end of Year for taxes, W2s, yearly reports etc.

    If there were another payroll system out there, I'd abandon QB entirely. It is the only reason I have Parallels and Windows in my life at all. If only Quicken for Mac would add a Payroll module life would be grand..... :D
     
  18. EdgemontF

    EdgemontF Member

    Messages:
    39
    I came to reply to your post but see User CoryL had posted a response and wondered if you tried and if it worked for you?

    If not, I was going to suggest you see if possibly you had a copy of the Parallels 26.0 in your trash (if you don't empty your trash routinely) The dreaded update happened around October so my copy of 26.0 was dated Sept. Unless you just recently set up Time Machine, are you sure it doesn't go back to at least Sept? Many times I can't find a backup from "browsing" TM backups, but actually can if I go to the actual external drive where my TM is backing up and you can see them all. If you have one back in Sept (presuming you updated Parallels in Oct-Nov), see if the Parallells in the older Applications folder is version 26.0, copy and paste onto your desktop. It worked for me, but I then had to move the Parallels 26.1 version into the trash (where it still resides) so it wouldn't keep launching automatically when I started QB.

    Good luck!

    Let us know if CoryL's fix worked and I will do that too!
     
  19. JimL2

    JimL2 Bit poster

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    1
    @CoryL1 Thank you for posting this. It worked for me. You're a lifesaver!!!
     
  20. JD88

    JD88

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    I can confirm that these directions DO WORK! I made the changes on two Silicon Macs and once again I have access to my company file. Thank you!
     
  21. 44franktn

    44franktn Junior Member

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    12
    Same issue - QB wouldn't open. QB support no help. Win 11, Parallels 26.1.2, MBPro M3, latest Tahoe.
    Navigated to the Compatability tab. 'Change emulation settings' not shown. Ran Compatability Troubleshooter - useless. Couldn't find QB exe file even in manual mode. QB also prime reason I use Parallels. Any suggestions about 'Change emulation settings' not being shown. Thanks.
     

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