Skip to main content
This guide is provided by Conductor, the service that powers the QuickBooks Desktop integration for many business tools, including the one that sent you here.
Keeping QuickBooks Desktop open 24/7 dramatically reduces sync times because the Web Connector no longer has to launch and close QuickBooks for every sync. This is essential on any machine that runs your connection, especially a shared Windows Server that hosts the company file, so that every reboot returns the computer to the optimal state automatically. By default, the Web Connector already launches at startup. If it ever fails to do so, follow our Web Connector startup guide to diagnose and fix that first.
Important: You should always leave QuickBooks Desktop running on the computer that hosts your Web Connector connection. There is no downside: it keeps syncs fast and avoids the wear-and-tear of repeated launches.If you cannot stay signed in to the company file (for example, to avoid occupying a license), you can leave QuickBooks open at the “No Company Open” screen, and QuickBooks will sign in and out automatically during each sync.

Ensure QuickBooks Desktop opens after every reboot

Most Windows PCs will launch QuickBooks Desktop at sign-in as long as a shortcut to QBW32.exe lives in the system-wide Startup folder. Follow the steps below so QuickBooks Desktop launches automatically each time Windows starts.
1

Sign in with a Windows administrator account

Make sure you are logged in to Windows with an account that has local administrator rights. If you are unsure, ask your IT team.
2

Open the Startup folder

Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter. File Explorer opens to:C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\StartupAnything you place here launches automatically whenever this computer starts.
3

Locate QuickBooks Desktop

Click Start, type “QuickBooks Desktop”, then right-click the QuickBooks Desktop search result and choose Open file location. In the window that opens, right-click the QuickBooks Desktop shortcut again and choose Open file location so File Explorer jumps to the actual QBW32.exe program file.
4

Create the startup shortcut

Right-click and hold QBW32.exe, drag it into the Startup folder you opened earlier, and release the mouse. Choose Create shortcuts here from the context menu to add a shortcut in the Startup folder.
5

Restart and confirm

Restart the computer. After Windows finishes loading, QuickBooks Desktop should start automatically. Confirm it by opening Task Manager → Details and checking that QBW32.exe is running.
With these steps, QuickBooks Desktop will always launch after every reboot, keeping the Web Connector connection fast and reliable.