Easy Way To Fix QuickBooks Error The File Exists Issue
                     Countermeasures For 
QuickBooks Error The 
File Exists Message
QuickBooks is considered the best software to precisely calculate business 
taxes and file them at the end of the financial year. But users sometimes 
encounter QuickBooks Error The File Exists file filing their taxes or opening 
the state forms. If you cannot submit taxes or update the payroll due to this 
error, read this entire blog to understand why it happens and the correct ways 
to terminate the responsible issues.
Get in touch with our QB support team at 1-855-856-0042 to eliminate 
this error with their assistance.

Reasons
You’ll mostly face this error while updating the payroll services, filing taxes, or 
opening federal forms. The primary reasons you cannot perform any of the 
above given tasks due to this error are-
• The Windows permissions for the QB program files aren’t correct and the 
software cannot access them.
• QuickBooks has developed internal glitches or minor issues due to its partial 
installation on your computer.
• QuickBooks cannot update the payroll service due to network connectivity 
issues or Windows firewall restrictions.
Solutions
This error message will come up on the screen whenever you submit your 
taxes or open a federal form. The applicable methods to get rid of this error 
from your QuickBooks are described below in detail-
Solution 1- Update the Windows permissions for QB 
program files
QuickBooks can face trouble accessing its program files due to incorrect 
Windows permissions. If this happens in between the payroll update or during 
tax submission, you’ll see an error message on the screen notifying you that 
the file you specified cannot be opened. You are advised to run your 
QuickBooks as an administrator while downloading the updates to prevent it 
from getting blocked by Windows Firewall or other applications. In this case, 
you can easily rectify the issues by updating the Windows permissions of the 
QB program files are shown in the following steps-
• Type ‘file explorer’ in the search panel or open it using the folder icon in the 
taskbar.
• Go to C:ProgramFilesIntuitQuickBooksXX for 32-bit operating system 
and C:ProgramFilesx86IntuitQuickBooksXX for 64-bit operating system.
• Open the QB folder and right-click the QBW32.exe file inside.
• Select Properties and go to the Security tab in the window.
• Tap Edit and click Add.
• Type ‘everyone’ in the text section and press Ok.
• Go to the Security tab and mark the checkbox for Full Control.
• Press Ok and type ‘Users’ after selecting Add.
• Select the Full Control checkbox in the Security window and click Ok.
• Tap Apply after applying these steps and close the window.
If the software displays this error code on the screen again, move to the next 
solution.
Solution 2- Run QuickBooks with admin permissions
QuickBooks can also fall prey to this error if it doesn’t have the correct 
permissions to use the system resources and access the files on the system 
drive. You can run QB in admin mode, preventing it from getting blocked by the 
Windows firewall. Use the following steps-
• Open the QB folder or run a search for the application (QuickBooks) from the 
taskbar.
• Right-click the application icon (QuickBooks.exe) and select Run as 
Administrator.
Conclusion
This blog provides insights into why QuickBooks Error The File 
Exists message stops you from updating the payroll or filing taxes. The 
recommended techniques to remove the error are also mentioned in the blog, 
which you must use to prevent the error from developing again on your QBDT. 
Speak to our QB support team at 1-855-856-0042 if problems arise while using 
the solutions.