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Error initializing QBPOS application log. If this happens every time you launch the program, please contact technical Support. After pressing OK, you see the following error:

Unexpected error happened. Please restart QuickBooks Point of Sale. The error is: Exception has been thrown by the target of invocation.

How to fix it:

Before trying the fixes indicated by Intuit, try the following:

1. Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and select Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, select QBPOSShell and then click End Task.
3. Drag your mouse to the lower-left corner, right-click the Start button and then choose File Explorer.
4. Click the View tab and check the Hidden items checkbox.
5. In the left window, click Computer and go to: C:Users{User logged on}AppDataLocalIntuitQBPOSShell.exe…{last modified folder}
6. Copy this folder to your desktop
7. Inside the folder, there will be a user.config file. Rename the file to user.configold
8. Open QB POS, it may bring back the old initial screen, if it does, close that screen, but the program may allow you in and allow you to staert working. If it does, backup your POS data. Also, check your sales history to make sure that the last sales were successfully reccorded.

Intuit recommends the following 2 solutions for this problem. The first solution may solve your problem, or you may need to try both.

Solution 1: Delete the contents of the QBPOSShell folder

Windows 10

1. Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and select Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, select QBPOSShell and then click End Task.
3. Drag your mouse to the lower-left corner, right-click the Start button and then choose File Explorer. OR, at the bottom of the screen select the icon that looks like a manilla folder.
4. Click the View tab and check the Hidden items checkbox.
5. In the left window, click Computer and go to: C:Users{User logged on}AppDataLocalIntuitQBPOSShell.exe…{last modified folder}
6. Press the CTRL + A keys to select all the files in the folder and then press Delete.
7. Close the window and open Point of Sale.

Windows 8

1. Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and select Task Manager.
2. On the Processes tab, select QBPOSShell and then click End Task.
3. Drag your mouse to the lower-left corner, right-click the Start button and then choose File Explorer.
4. Click the View tab and check the Hidden items checkbox.
5. In the left window, click Computer and go to: C:Users{User logged on}AppDataLocalIntuitQBPOSShell.exe…{last modified folder}
6. Press the CTRL + A keys to select all the files in the folder and then press Delete.
7. Close the window and open Point of Sale.

Windows 7 and Vista

1. Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and select Start Task Manager.
2. Click the Processes tab, select QBPOSShell.exe and then click End Process.
3. Right-click the Start button and then choose Open Windows Explorer.
4. Click Organize and then choose Folder and Search Options.
5. Click the View tab, select Show hidden files and folders and then click OK.
6. In the left window, click Computer and go to: C:Users{User logged on}AppDataLocalIntuitQBPOSShell.exe…{last modified folder}
7. Press the CTRL + A keys to select all the files in the folder and then press Delete.
8. Close the window and open Point of Sale.

Windows XP

1. Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys and select Start Task Manager.
2. Click the Processes tab, select QBPOSShell.exe and then click End Process.
3. Right-click the Start button and then choose Explore.
4. Choose Tools > Folder and Search Options.
5. Click the View tab, select Show hidden files and folders, and then click to clear the Hide protected operating files checkbox.
6. Click Yes to the warning and then click OK.
7. In the left window, click Computer and go to: C:Documents and SettingsAdministratorLocalSettingsApplicationDataIntuitQBPOSShell.exe…{last modified folder}
8. Press the CTRL + A keys to select all the files in the folder and then press Delete.
9. Close the window and open Point of Sale.

Solution 2: Create a new Windows admin

Windows 8

1. Drag your mouse to the lower-left corner, right-click the Start button and then choose Control Panel.
2. Click User accounts and Family Safety and then click User Accounts.
3. Click Manage another account.
4. Click the Add a new user in PC Settings link.
5. Click the Add a user button.
6. Click the Sign in without a Microsoft account link.
7. Click Local Account.
8. Enter a user name, leave the password blank, click Next and then click Finish.
9. Restart the computer and sign with the new administrator account.
10. Open Point of Sale. (Note: You may have to open it from the Windows Start menu if you do not see an icon on the desktop.)

Windows 7

1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click User Accounts.
3. Click Manage another account.
4. Click Create a new account.
5. Add a name for the account and select Administrator.
6. Click Create account.
7. Restart the computer and sign in with the new administrator account.
8. Open Point of Sale. (Note: You may have to open it from the Windows Start menu if you do not see an icon on the desktop.)

Windows Vista

1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click User Accounts.
3. Click Create a new account.
4. Select Set as Administrator.
5. Click Create account.
6. Restart the computer and sign in with the new administrator account.
7. Open Point of Sale. (Note: You may have to open it from the Windows Start menu if you do not see an icon on the desktop.)

Windows XP

1. Click the Microsoft Windows Start button and select Run. Enter control in the Open field and then click OK.
2. Double-click User Accounts.
3. Click Create a New Account, and then follow the on-screen instructions to create a user account with administrative permissions.
4. Restart the computer and log in with the new administrator account.
5. Open Point of Sale. (Note: You may have to open it from the Windows Start menu if you do not see an icon on the desktop.)