This article will be helpful if you are trying to host QB from a NAS, Synology or other unsupported device.

Make certain the computer (server) you setup to host the file is set to never power off and user knows not to power down.

  1. Make sure QuickBooks Desktop is closed and the QBW32.exe is not running in the task manager.
  2. Go to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (Year).
  3. Edit the QBW.ini file in notepad.
  4. Enter ENABLENONRECOMMENDEDMODE=1 directly under the [MISC] section. It should look like this:

    User-added image

  5. Save the QBW.ini file and open QuickBooks Desktop and try to switch to Multi-User mode.
  6. When you get the H202 error again, you should see the Alternate Setup button has returned if the .ini file has been correctly edited.
  7. Select Alternate Setup and select Yes to any proceeding UAC messages and QuickBooks Desktop should now work in the alternate setup mode and Mult-User access restored.


Note: Use at your own risk.


Part 2: Firewall Port


Add Firewall port exception for QuickBooks

If you use multiple versions (years) of QuickBooks Desktop on the same computer, perform these steps for each version:

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.
  2. Enter "Windows Firewall" into the search and open Windows Firewall.
  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. Right-click Inbound Rules (later on, you'll create Outbound Rules). Then select New Rule.
  5. Select Port and then select Next.

    Windows firewall advanced settings rules and specific local ports
  6. Make sure TCP is selected.
  7. In the Specific local ports field, enter the specific ports needed for your QuickBooks year version:
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2020: 8019, XXXXX.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
    • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.