@qbteachmt

"Make sure to Install QB "for all users" and "run as Admin."

I ran as admin (I am not game to reinstall QB for all users at this point because I cannot create a functional backup file). It still does not work.

I am going to try opening the file with a fresh QB install on a non-VM windows machine to see if that changes anything. At this point I have spent over a day trying to fix this garbage software. Intuit laughing all the way to the bank while their customers tear their hair out.