iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In QuickBooks Desktop for Windows, open Edit > Preferences. Choose My Preferences to change a setting for your user, or Company Preferences to set a default for users. If you want to undo report formatting, use the specific Revert controls for reports; Intuit’s documented steps do not reset every QuickBooks preference.
Choose the right kind of QuickBooks Desktop setting
QuickBooks Desktop settings are not all scoped the same way. Before changing anything, decide whether you want to adjust your own experience, set a default for users, or restore report formatting. The instructions below are for QuickBooks Desktop on Windows; menu labels and available categories can vary by edition and release. Intuit’s Windows preference path is Edit > Preferences.
- My Preferences: applies to the individual user whose account is open.
- Company Preferences: sets defaults for users. Changing these may require QuickBooks Desktop administrator access.
- Report-format Revert: restores specific report-format settings, not all settings across the program.
Change a personal or company preference
- Open QuickBooks Desktop for Windows and select Edit > Preferences.
- Choose the relevant category in the left panel.
- Select My Preferences for a user-specific change, or Company Preferences for a default that applies to users.
- Make the change and save or confirm it using the controls shown for that category.
Not every preference category offers both tabs, and the exact options can differ between releases. If you cannot find a menu or setting, confirm your Windows edition and QuickBooks Desktop release before following instructions written for another version.
Revert report formatting to its defaults
Intuit’s documented Revert workflow applies to report formatting. Back up your company file first, then use these steps:
#1 Best Overall
- - New Disc and used license. No Box. complete permanent version. Not upgradable. Uninstalled and ready for New User.
- - Easy-to-Use Accounting: Designed for non-accountants with step-by-step tutorials and intuitive navigation.
- - Comprehensive Financial Tools: Track sales, expenses, VAT, inventory, and payroll in one centralized platform.
- - Real-Time Business Insights: Generate over 100 customizable reports and monitor cash flow with a single click. - Seamless Integration: Syncs with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and supports online banking and multi-currency transactions. Would you like help comparing this version with newer QuickBooks editions or creating a setup guide?
- - Seamless Integration: Syncs with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and supports online banking and multi-currency transactions.
- Select Edit > Preferences.
- Choose Reports & Graphs > Company Preferences.
- Select Format to open Report Format Preferences.
- Under Header/Footer, select Revert and confirm the prompt.
- Under Fonts & Numbers, select Revert and confirm the prompt.
These controls restore the listed report-format settings to defaults. They are not a global reset for QuickBooks Desktop preferences. Intuit’s report-preferences instructions also say, in the context of report-preference problems, that report templates may be damaged when preferences are not working as expected. That explanation concerns report issues; it should not be assumed to explain every preference problem.
Try One Window for certain display problems
If QuickBooks Desktop has a screen-display issue, Intuit suggests trying the One Window setting. This is a targeted troubleshooting step, not a universal default or reset:
Rank #2
- 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘:
- No CD or Shipping Delays - Receive your Product license key quickly via Amazon message. Download and install immediately to start managing your finances without waiting for physical delivery. 𝗧𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲, log into your Amazon account and go to the "𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁" section in your profile. Then, click on "𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀" to see the message, along with your order details, address, and other information.
- Buyer 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗 to our first message after placing the order. Product details will be sent only after confirmation.
- 🧾 One-Time Purchase – Lifetime License Get full ownership of your software with no monthly fees or annual renewals. A cost-effective desktop solution ideal for small businesses seeking reliable accounting tools.
- 📊 Manage Finances, Invoices & Reports with Ease Easily track income and expenses, manage bills, create professional invoices, and generate detailed financial reports—all from a single, user-friendly dashboard.
- Select Edit > Preferences > Desktop View > My Preferences.
- Select One Window.
- Close and reopen QuickBooks Desktop and the company file, then check whether the display issue is resolved.
See Intuit’s screen-issue instructions. The suggestion is for certain screen problems; it does not imply that One Window is the right setting for every display issue.
Does installing a new version keep preferences?
Intuit describes different preference-retention behavior for two Windows installation paths:
Rank #3
- Buyer will receive the product details via 'AMAZON MESSAGE' Within 1-2hrs of placing the order.
- Please check your Inbox/Spam after placing the order and respond to our message.
- The buyer must respond to our initial message after placing the order. Product details will be sent only after we receive a response. If the buyer does not respond to our first message and follow-up reminders, the order will be cancelled after 7 days.
- 100% Money Back Guarantee – if any issue cannot be resolved, we will issue a full refund and cancel the license.
| Installation path | Preference behavior described by Intuit |
|---|---|
| Express install over the previous version | Saves preferences from the prior version. |
| Custom and Network Options install in a different location | Does not add prior-version preferences to the new version. |
This is an installation-path difference, not a recommended way to reset preferences. See Intuit’s QuickBooks Desktop installation instructions.
What if you need to reset every preference?
The cited Intuit instructions document a Revert action for report formatting and several individual preference changes, but do not establish a single global Windows command that resets every preference across supported versions. Do not treat deleting preference files, reinstalling, or changing unrelated settings as a universal reset based on these instructions. For a full reset, identify your exact Windows edition and release and get version-specific guidance from Intuit before proceeding.
Rank #4
- Delivered Straight to Your Registered Address – Your DVD box will be carefully packaged and delivered directly to the address registered with your order.
Windows and Mac instructions are different
This guide covers QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. The Mac interface uses a different menu path, so the Windows steps here should not be applied to QuickBooks for Mac without Mac-specific instructions.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Quick Recap
Best Value
- DESKTOP ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE: QB enterprise Desktop Pro Plus 2024 delivers powerful business accounting tools designed for small to mid-sized businesses.
- 3-USER LICENSE: Supports to 1pc, making it ideal for small teams managing finances and bookkeeping together.
- LIFETIME VERSION: This is a one-time purchase lifetime version, so you can use the software without any recurring subscription fees.
- USB INSTALLATION: Comes conveniently pre-loaded on a USB drive for quick and easy installation directly onto your PC.
- PC ONLY COMPATIBILITY: Designed exclusively for Windows PC; this software is not compatible with Mac operating systems.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
