A reader wrote in asking how they should configure the Windows Firewall so that they could use QuickBooks Desktop in multi-user mode on their local network. When setting-up QuickBooks Desktop for multi-user network operations it is necessary to configure windows firewall on all computers, workstations and server, running or hosting QuickBooks. Perform the following steps on each computer:
1) Access Windows Firewall Settings.
- From the Desktop, right-click the Windows logo and select Control Panel.
- Type "Firewall" in the search bar and press Enter.
- Click Windows Firewall and select Advanced settings.
2) On the left, right-click Outbound Rules, and select New Rule.
3) Select Ports and then click Next.
4) Select TCP to the question 'Does the rule apply to TCP or UDP
5) Click the radial button next to Specific local ports: under the question 'Does this rule apply to all local ports or specific local ports?
Windows Firewall Port Settings
6) In the field next to Specific local ports enter the following ports (based upon your specific year version of QuickBooks:
- QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382
- QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377
- QuickBooks Desktop 2016: 8019, 56726, 55368-55372
- QuickBooks Desktop 2015: 8019, 56725, 55363-55367
7) Click Next and then choose Allow the Connection.
8) Click Next to enter a name in the name field; enter a name like QuickBooks 2018 Ports, then click Next.
9) Repeat the above steps but selecting Inbound Rules (at Step 2 above).
10) After setting the firewall on all computers, workstation and hosting server, test connectivity again by opening QuickBooks in Multi-user mode.
in some rare instances it maybe necessary to add the QuickBooks executables shown in the table near the end of this article to your firewall by selecting the 'This Program Path' option.
If your 3rd-party Antivirus also provides Firewall services it will likely be necessary to either open the appropriate firewall ports, or define exceptions for QuickBooks executable files, within your Antivirus/Firewall software. Because of the diversity of antivirus and 3rd-party firewalls defining procedures for all the various products is beyond the scope of this article, consult your 3rd-party firewall/antivirus software documentation for procedures to open ports or define exceptions.
In the event you must define exceptions, the following list outlines the QuickBooks related executables and their program locations. If you are using a 64-bit operating system substitute Program Files (x86) for the program locations shown below.
Intuit