Here's what to expect:  

1. Find the location of your company file (write this down)
2. Find your license (QB 2005 and later) or registration (QB 2004 and earlier) number (write this down)
3. Verify your information on record with us
4. Create a login, with your username as your email address
5. Upload your file to our server.
6. We’ll automatically remove the password for you.
7. After we've removed your password, you will download your data file from our server. (You will be able to access the file for 10 days from our server. NOTE: We will not email your file to you)

Now here are the details. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. We encourage you to print out the instructions and follow along with our check list

1. Find the location of your Company File (write this down):
   Open up QuickBooks and press cancel when you are asked to login. You will see the "no company open" screen. Click once on the name of the company file with the unknown password, and write down the file location. See the screenshot below for an example:
   My file is not listed or this is not an option. How do I find my file?
   
   
   
   
2. 2. Find your license (2005 or later) or registration (2004 and earlier) number (write this down)
   We will need to verify your QuickBooks registration information. QuickBooks 2005 and later users have a license number, while 2004 and earlier have a registration number. Both numbers can be found via the following procedure:
   
   
   • With QuickBooks open and displaying the “no company open” screen depicted above, press F2 on the keyboard, or hold down ctrl and press 1. (NOTE: Use the number 1 key at the top of your keyboard rather than the one on the numbers pad to the right.) On older versions, this number is called the “registration number”. You will see this window:
     Write down the license or registration number highlighted in red:
     
     
     Write down this number and keep it handy.
     
     
3. Complete the Customer Verification form.
   You must have a registered version of QuickBooks to use the automated service. Your registration or license number as well as your zip code and company phone number will need to be verified. All fields are required.
   
   
4. Create a username and password for the automated tool
   If you ever need to return to the removal tool, you will need to log in again with this information.
   
   
5. Upload your file.
   More detailed instructions will follow.  The time it takes to upload your file will vary depending on the size of your file and your internet connection. More detailed instructions will follow
   Wait for the confirmation that the password has been removed.
   This process will take just a few moments once the file has been uploaded.
   
6. Intuit will remove the password
   
   Wait for the confirmation that the password has been removed.  This process will take just a few moments once the file has been uploaded.
   
7. Download and save the new file to your original QuickBooks directory, making sure you do not overwrite the existing file on your computer.
   You will notice that the file name has changed. This is to protect your data! DO NOT replace the existing file on your computer. (If you choose to overwrite your file and your internet connection fails or the incorrect file was uploaded you will have DELETED your original file.)
   
   
8. Confirm the password has been removed from your file by opening the NEW company file in QuickBooks (with QuickBooks closed you can simply double click on the new icon in your QuickBooks directory). If you are prompted for a password, type Admin for the User Name, and then click OK without typing a password. To confirm receipt and close your request, click Request Complete on our Web site. If you do not confirm receipt, the file will be available on the server for 10 business days.

* If you are unable to complete the request using our automated service; you can submit a password removal request. Complete the online service request form and we will assist you. The service is performed by our Data Services Team (subject to certain exceptions, based on our Sunset Policy). If you need help completing the forms or the request you should contact us