QuickBooks Desktop has a feature called Auto Data Recovery (ADR) that can help you recover all or nearly all of your data in case of data loss or corruption. However, it is important to note that ADR should only be used after all appropriate troubleshooting has been tried.

If you are experiencing data loss or corruption, you can contact Intuit Data Services for data recovery assistance. They can help you recover your lost file by utilizing the ADR feature. However, the process can take some time and may mean that you cannot use QuickBooks for several days.

Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to use the ADR feature to recover your lost data:

• Create a new folder named QBTest on your desktop.
• Access your company file’s folder and locate the file name with file extensions of .tlg.
• Copy this file extension and paste it into the QBTest folder.
• Access the QuickBooks ADR folder situated in the same company file folder.
• Search for the extension file .qbw, copy and paste it into the QBTest folder.
• In the QBTest folder, click on the .tlg and .QBW.adr files.

This should help you recover your lost data using the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery Service feature. If you need further assistance, you can contact Intuit Data Services for data recovery help 

What is QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery Service?

QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) is a built-in feature of QuickBooks Desktop that automatically creates local backup copies of your company file. This means that if your company file becomes damaged or lost, you can use ADR to restore it to a previous working state.

How does QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery work?

ADR works by creating two types of files:

• Company file backup (.qbw.adr): This is a copy of your company file that is created at regular intervals (typically every 12 hours).
• Transaction log backup (.tlg.adr): This is a file that contains all of the transactions that have been made to your company file since the last backup was created.

When you open QuickBooks, it checks the ADR folder to see if there are any newer backups of your company file than the one you are currently using. If there are, QuickBooks will automatically restore the newer backup.

What can QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery recover?

ADR can recover your company file from a variety of problems, including:

• File corruption: This can happen if there is a power outage or other unexpected event while QuickBooks is running.
• Accidental deletion: If you accidentally delete your company file, ADR can help you restore it.
• Virus infection: If your computer is infected with a virus, it may damage or delete your company file. ADR can help you restore your company file to a previous working state.

How to use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

To use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery, simply open QuickBooks and go to File > Utilities > Recover Data. QuickBooks will then search for any backup copies of your company file and list them for you. You can then select the backup copy that you want to restore and QuickBooks will do the rest.

Important things to know about QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

• ADR is only available in QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier. It is not available in QuickBooks Enterprise or QuickBooks Premier Accountant's Edition.
• ADR creates backup copies of your company file in the same folder as the original company file.
• ADR keeps up to 12 backup copies of your company file. When a new backup is created, the oldest backup is deleted.
• ADR is not a replacement for regular backups. You should still back up your company files regularly to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

FAQs about QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

Q: How often does QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery create backups?

A: QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery typically creates backups every 12 hours. However, you can change this setting in the QuickBooks preferences.

Q: Can I restore a backup copy of my company file that is older than 12 hours?

A: Yes, you can restore a backup copy of your company file that is older than 12 hours. However, you will need to manually copy the backup file to the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery folder.

Q: What should I do if my company file is corrupted and I cannot use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery to restore it?

A: If your QuickBooks company file is corrupted and you cannot use QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery to restore it, you can contact Intuit Data Services for help. Intuit Data Services can recover data from damaged or corrupted QuickBooks company files.

Q: How can I prevent my company file from becoming corrupted?

A: There are a few things you can do to prevent your company file from becoming corrupted:

• Make sure that you have a reliable power supply for your computer.
• Use a virus protection program and keep it up to date.
• Back up your company file regularly.
• Close QuickBooks properly before shutting down your computer.

Conclusion

QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery is a valuable feature that can help you recover your company files from a variety of problems. However, it is important to note that ADR is not a replacement for regular backups. You should still back up your company files regularly to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.