Hi @John Golding,
Let's take a quick look at what's going on then I'll provide you a fix for it.
If you haven't purchased a license for QB 2019 and therefore don't have a key code for it, you can still use a trial version to update an older version company file. You only need to skip the activation phase or download another trial version if it's already expired.
Please follow these steps to update your QB company file:
- Ensure all other users are logged out of the company file.
- Go to the File menu, select Open or Restore Company.
- Select Open a company file or Restore a backup copy, then Next.
- Note: Select Local backup if you need to open a backup copy.
- Find and select your company file, then click Open.
- Log in as the company admin. Only the company admin can update a company file.
- QuickBooks lets you know that it needs to update your company file. Select Update Now to proceed.
- Note: QuickBooks runs a full backup before updating your file. If you want to change where the backup will be saved, select Change this default location.
- Select Done once QuickBooks has updated your company file.
If you encounter issues while opening QB or your company file, I advise you to view this article: Resolve Problems Opening QuickBooks Desktop or your Company File. It lists a few situations where you'd encounter an error, along with the steps on how to resolve it. The article even includes links to tools that can help with your troubleshooting.
Feel free to put in your question in the comments below if you any more, or if you have clarifications. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
