This isn't what I want you to experience when opening QuickBooks, jessli1. Let me make it up to you by making sure this gets resolved.

First, let's run the  Verify and Rebuild Data utilities to get this sorted out. The Verify Data utility identifies potential data damage issues while the Rebuild Data repairs it in your company file.

Verify data

1. Click Window then Close All.
2. Choose File then Utilities.
3. Select Verify Data.
4. If you see: "QuickBooks detected no problems with your data" (no further action is needed), "Your data has lost integrity" (Continue to the steps below to Rebuild Data), or specific error messages visit  the QuickBooks Desktop support site and search the error. 

Rebuild data

1. Go to File.
2. Select Utilities then Rebuild Data.
3. You will receive a warning message to backup your company file, press OK.
4. The Rebuild Data utility starts as soon as the backup is finished.
5. Click OK when you get the message "Rebuild has completed".

Second, I suggest downloading our QuickBooks Tool Hub. This checks your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) software for issues and self-resolves them. Let me show you how.

1. Close your QuickBooks.
2. Download our QuickBooks Tool Hub
3. Open the file you downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe).
4. Follow the on-screen steps to install.
5. When the install finishes, open the tool hub on your Windows desktop.
6. Select Program Problems.
7. Click Quick Fix my Files.
8. Start QuickBooks Desktop and open your data file.

You can also check this article for more insights and troubleshooting steps: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

If the issue continues, I'd recommend contacting our support team. They have tools to help check your system in a secure environment and perform more troubleshooting steps.

1. Go to Help, and then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Select the Contact Us button.
3. Enter a brief description of your concern in the What can we help you with? field and click Continue.
4. Choose a way to connect.

If the program continues to crash, you can follow the additional steps outlined in this article: Solutions for When QuickBooks Stops Working.

I appreciate your patience while we’re working through this. Reach out to me with whatever questions you may have about QuickBooks. I’m here to assist further. Have a good one.