Error: QuickBooks has a problem in reading this registration file: qbregistration.dat.

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Error: QuickBooks has a problem in reading this registration file: qbregistration.dat

When starting QuickBooks, the Loading QuickBooks screen appears temporarily, and then the following error appears:

QuickBooks has a problem in reading this registration file. You need to ask your system administrator to REMOVE this file and re-install QuickBooks

C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataCommon FilesIntuitQuickBooksQBRegistration.dat

Why this is happening

This error usually occurs if there has been damage to the MSXML component of Windows.

Other possible causes include:

  • Issues with User Account Control settings.
  • Having Norton 360 (or a similar Norton product) installed and running while QuickBooks is being installed or updated.
  • Corrupted QuickBooks installation files resulting from an incomplete clean install.

Note: following these steps will not affect the data in your Company File.

How to fix it

Intuit recommends 3 solutions for this problem. The first solution may solve your problem, or you may need to try all of them to resolve the issue. For best results, perform the solutions in the order shown.

Important: These troubleshooting steps may help resolve your issue. They focus on the Windows operating system, which is not an Intuit product. Intuit recommends that if you are not comfortable doing these steps on your own, you find the expert assistance that you need by consulting your computer’s manufacturer or a Windows expert. If the difficulty persists after performing these steps, contact your computer’s manufacturer or Microsoft.

 

Solution 1: Toggle User Account Control settings (Windows 7 and Vista only)

Solution 2: Repair the MSXML component

  1. Download the msxml.msi file from Microsoft. Save the file to your desktop.
  2. Once the file has been saved, open the Run window:
    • Windows 7 or Vista: Click the Windows Start button. In the Start Search field, type Run.
    • Windows XP: Click the Start button and choose Run.
  3. In the Open field, enter msiexec.exe /fvaum %userprofile%Desktopmsxml.msi and click OK.
  4. When the installation is complete, click OK.
  5. Create or re-create the qbregistration.dat file, as needed, by following the steps in HOW12495.
  6. Register the MSXML DLL files:

    Windows 7 or Vista

    1. Click the Windows button and select All Programs.
    2. Select Accessories and then right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
    3. Type regsvr32 MSXML3.dll and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml3.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    4. Type regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
      Note: if MSXML 4.dll fails to register you may need to temporarily turn off User Account Control (UAC). Be sure to turn it back on when you’re done.
    5. Type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    6. Try starting QuickBooks again.
    Windows 7 or Vista 64-bit

    1. Click the Windows button and select All Programs.
    2. Select Accessories and then right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
    3. Type cd Windowssyswow64 and press the Enter key.
    4. Type regsvr32 MSXML3.dll and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml3.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    5. Type regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
      Note: if MSXML 4.dll fails to register you may need to temporarily turn off User Account Control (UAC). Be sure to turn it back on when you’re done.
    6. Type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    7. Try starting QuickBooks again.
    Windows XP

    1. Click the Start button and select Run.
    2. Type regsvr32 MSXML3.dll and click OK. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml3.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    3. Click the Start button again, type Run.
    4. Type regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, and click OK. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    5. Type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    6. Try starting QuickBooks again.
    Windows XP 64-bit

    1. Click the Start menu and choose Run.
    2. Type cmd and click OK.
    3. Type cd Windowssyswow64 and press the Enter key.
    4. Type regsvr32 MSXML3.dll and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml3.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    5. Type regsvr32 MSXML4.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    6. Type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll, and press the Enter key. You should see a message saying DllRegisterServer in msxml4.dll succeeded. Click OK.
    7. Try starting QuickBooks again.
Solution 3: Repair QuickBooks

Windows 7 or Vista:

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. In the Start Search field, type Programs and Features and click Enter.
    Or In the Start Search field, type APPWIZ.CPL and click Enter.
  3. Select your version of QuickBooks from the list and click Uninstall/Change (above the list).
  4. Follow the instructions to repair QuickBooks.
Windows XP:

  1. Click the Start button and choose Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
  3. Select your version of QuickBooks from the list and click the Change/Remove button.
  4. Follow the directions to repair QuickBooks.

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