QuickBooks has been one of the most popular accounting software solutions for small and medium-sized businesses for decades. But with Intuit’s product lifecycle policies and strategic shift toward cloud-based solutions, longtime users of QuickBooks Desktop 2022 are facing major changes. In this guide, we’ll explain what the discontinuation of QuickBooks 2022 means, the upgrade options available through 2025, critical dates and deadlines, risks of staying on an unsupported version, and practical steps you should take now.
1. What Does “Discontinuation” Really Mean?
When Intuit says a product is discontinued, it doesn’t mean the application suddenly stops working on June 1st. Rather, it means:
- Live technical support ends — you won’t be able to contact Intuit support for help.
- Security updates and patches cease — after the cutoff date, known security vulnerabilities will not be fixed.
- Connected services and integrations stop working — payroll services, online banking and bank feeds, payments, merchant services, and other add-ons will no longer function.
- Intuit stops development and integration with other systems for that version.
This doesn’t instantly make your accounting data disappear. You can often continue using the software for basic tasks — like entering data and generating reports — but you lose the depth of features and protections that businesses rely on.
2. Key Dates: QuickBooks 2022 Sunset and Beyond
It’s essential to be aware of the timeline:
May 31, 2025 — Support Ends for QuickBooks Desktop 2022
Intuit will officially discontinue support for all QuickBooks Desktop 2022 versions, including:
- Pro Plus 2022
- Premier Plus 2022
- QuickBooks Desktop for Mac Plus 2022
- QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 22.0 (all variants)
- Premier Accountant Edition Plus 2022
- Enterprise Accountant 22.0
After May 31, 2025, you will no longer receive technical support, critical security patches, or connected services like payroll or bank feeds.
June 1, 2025 — Services & Security Updates Stop
Starting June 1, 2025, the following will cease for QuickBooks Desktop 2022:
- Critical security updates
- Payroll tax calculation and filing services
- Online banking and bank feed downloads
- Payments and merchant services
- Online backup
- Other Intuit-embedded services linked to the Desktop product
Your desktop application itself may still open and allow entry of data, but the ecosystem of support and services will no longer work.
Desktop Product Future (2023–2027)
- QuickBooks Desktop 2023 support runs until May 31, 2026.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2024 will be supported through May 2027 — and no new “2025 Desktop” version is being released. Instead, QuickBooks 2024 continues receiving updates during this period.
3. Why Is Intuit Discontinuing QuickBooks 2022?
There are several reasons behind the discontinuation:
Shift Toward Cloud Software
Intuit is increasingly focused on its SaaS product, QuickBooks Online, which offers:
Access from anywhere
Cloud backups
Automatic feature updates
Integration with third-party apps and mobile platforms
This reduces the development and support overhead that traditional desktop software requires.
Product Lifecycle Policy
QuickBooks Desktop typically follows a three-year lifecycle:
2022 → 2023 → 2024 → sunset. Once a version reaches the end of that cycle, support and services are phased out.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Upgrade?
Not upgrading carries real business risks:
Security Vulnerabilities
Without security updates, your accounting data is more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Small business systems are common targets for malware and credential theft — risks that multiply without patches in place.
Loss of Compliance & Payroll Features
Payroll services tied to QuickBooks Desktop 2022 will stop calculating taxes or filing forms. If you continue using these features beyond the sunset date, paychecks may become inaccurate.
Broken Bank Integrations
Online banking connections and automatic bank feeds are disabled, meaning you will need to upload or manually enter transactions — a time-consuming and error-prone process.
No Support
If an important function breaks, there is no official support from Intuit to help resolve it.
5. Your Upgrade & Migration Options
Given the discontinuation, here are your key paths forward:
Option 1: Upgrade to QuickBooks Desktop 2024
Although there isn’t a QuickBooks Desktop 2025 release, QuickBooks Desktop 2024 is Intuit’s current supported version and will remain so through 2027.
If you have an active Plus or Enterprise subscription, upgrading to 2024 may be included.
Once updated, you continue receiving support, security patches, and integration services.
Migrating from your 2022 company file to 2024 is generally straightforward — as QuickBooks handles the file update process during installation.
Option 2: Move to QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
If you require advanced features like deeper inventory management, multi-user access, or industry-specific reporting, upgrading to Enterprise 24.0 is a strong option. This also ensures continued support and full feature integration.
Option 3: Switch to QuickBooks Online
Many businesses are taking this route because:
- No local installation is required.
- Automatic updates, cloud backup, and remote access.
- Integrates with 300+ apps and services.
- Multiple subscription tiers to fit business size.
Data migration involves backing up your Desktop file and importing it into QuickBooks Online — a process Intuit supports.
Option 4: Continue Using Unsupported Version (Not Recommended)
Technically, you may keep using QuickBooks 2022 for basic data entry after the discontinuation date, but this option should only be considered if:
You absolutely cannot upgrade right away
A plan is in place to migrate soon
You’re comfortable running without payroll, bank feeds, or support
However, this exposes your system to increased security and compliance risks.
6. Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide
Here’s how to prepare and transition smoothly:
Step 1: Back Up Your Data
Before changing versions or products, back up your company file:
- Go to File > Create Backup
- Choose Local Backup
- Save to an external drive or cloud storage
Step 2: Update to Latest Release
If you stay on QuickBooks Desktop 2022 until support ends, install all the latest updates before June 1, 2025. This gives you maximum security coverage until the deadline.
Step 3: Choose Your New Path
Decide whether you go to:
QuickBooks Desktop 2024
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
QuickBooks Online
Step 4: Install & Migrate
Follow one of these depending on your choice:
- Desktop 2024/Enterprise: Install, open your 2022 company file, and allow QuickBooks to update it.
- QuickBooks Online: Export your file and import it using the QuickBooks Online migration wizard.
Step 5: Verify Features and Run Tests
After migration:
Check payroll calculations
Re-connect bank feeds
Verify report accuracy
Train users on new interface
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to upgrade if I don’t use payroll or online banking?
You can technically continue using QuickBooks 2022 for offline tasks, but you lose support and security updates if you don’t upgrade by May 31, 2025.
Will my company file still open after discontinuation?
Most QuickBooks Desktop files will still open, but critical services like bank feeds and payroll will stop working. Continued use on unsupported software is risky.
Is there a QuickBooks Desktop 2025 version?
No. Intuit has confirmed that QuickBooks Desktop 2025 is not being released — QuickBooks Desktop 2024 will be the ongoing version supported through at least 2027.
Can I switch to QuickBooks Online and keep historical data?
Yes. QuickBooks Desktop company files can be exported and migrated to the Online platform, preserving most historical transactions.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop 2022 marks a major shift for many accounting software users. Whether you upgrade to QuickBooks Desktop 2024, transition to QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, or make the leap to QuickBooks Online, understanding the timelines, risks, and options is essential for avoiding service interruptions and protecting your financial data.
Don’t wait until the last minute — plan your transition now to ensure a seamless accounting experience in 2025 and beyond.