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Error: This version of QuickBooks requires Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 (or later)

A message appears when opening QuickBooks:

This version of QuickBooks requires Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 (or later).

Why this is happening

The message can appear for either of the following reasons:

• Internet Explorer is turned off in your Windows 7 settings.
• The version of Internet Explorer installed on the computer is earlier than version 6.0.
• There is an incorrect Windows registry key.

How to fix it

Check to see if you can open Internet Explorer using the blue E icon on your Desktop, in the Start menu or in All Programs.

If the icon does not appear in any of these places, it may mean Internet Explorer is turned off in your Windows 7 settings. If this is the case, proceed with the following steps to turn Internet Explorer back on:

1. On your keyboard, press Windows + E to open the Computer window.
2. Click Uninstall or change a program.
3. Click the link on the left for Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the Windows Features window, scroll down to Internet Explorer X (where X is 6 or later) and select it.
5. Click OK.

You will be prompted to restart your computer for this change to take effect. Once the computer restarts, QuickBooks will open successfully.

If the icon appears and you can open Internet Explorer , check your Internet Explorer version.

To verify the version of Internet Explorer:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Select the Help menu, and select About Internet Explorer.
3. The first characters of the version number must be 6.0 or higher.
   • If the version is earlier than 6.0, install a newer version of Internet Explorer.
     • QuickBooks 2008 and later: Download and install Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, or 8.0 directly from the Microsoft Download Center.
     • QuickBooks 2007 and earlier: Internet Explorer version 6.0 can be obtained from the QuickBooks installation CD in a folder called ThirdPartyIE60. Double-click the ie6setup.exe file to start the Internet Explorer installation process.
   • If the version is 6.0 or later, proceed with the next section.

Incorrect Windows registry key

Caution: The computer’s registry should only be edited by a qualified computer professional. Editing the registry incorrectly can damage your installed programs or the Windows operating system itself. Contact your system/network administrator, or a local computer consultant for more information about troubleshooting your Windows registry.

When seeking assistance with the Windows registry, advise the person helping troubleshoot this issue that QuickBooks is looking for the following registry keys and values:

• Registry Key: HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet Explorer Value: Version = Version number entered must be greater than 6.0
• Registry Key: HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAppPathsIexplore.exe
  Value: (Default) = C:Program FilesInternet Exploreriexplore.exe (or any valid path to iexplore.exe)

As an alternate solution, QuickBooks can be configured to override the current version of Microsoft Internet Explorer:

Locate the qbw.ini file in the QuickBooks default installation directory:

QuickBooks 2007 or later:

• Windows 8/7/Vista: C:ProgramDataIntuitQuickBooks (Year)
• Windows XP:  C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataIntuitQuickBooks [Version] where [Version] is your version of QuickBooks.

QuickBooks 2006 or earlier:

• Windows 8/7/Vista: C:ProgramDataIntuitQuickBooks (Year)
• XP: C:Program FilesIntuitQuickBooks

1. Right-click the qbw.ini file and select Open With.
2. Select Notepad and click OK.
3. Locate the [Misc] section of the qbw.ini file. If the section does not exist, add it to the bottom of the file.
4. Enter IEVersionOverride=600 below the [Misc] section heading on a new line.
5. Select the File menu, select Save, and then close Notepad.