QuickBooks Desktop 2017 Hosting: Remote Access After Sunset

Last reviewed 2026-07-05 3 min read

Explore how to keep QuickBooks Desktop 2017 running off-site using third-party hosting or self-hosted remote desktop, even after its May 31, 2020 discontin

QuickBooks Desktop 2017 officially reached the end of Intuit's supported lifecycle on May 31, 2020. While this means security updates and live support are no longer provided, the software itself continues to function. Moving your 2017 installation off your local hardware and into a hosted environment is a highly effective way to maintain multi-user access, secure your data with enterprise-grade backups, and ensure your system remains accessible from anywhere.

Why Host QuickBooks Desktop 2017?

When Intuit sunsets a version, the software does not stop working, but it does become increasingly difficult to integrate with modern banking protocols. By moving your 2017 installation to a remote server, you create a stable, controlled environment. This isolates your aging software from daily-use operating system updates that might otherwise break it, while still allowing you to manually import your financial data.

If your primary concern is moving your data between different machines or environments, you might need to convert or downgrade your QuickBooks company file to ensure maximum compatibility across your chosen setup.

Third-Party QuickBooks Hosting

Independent hosting providers offer dedicated cloud servers pre-configured to run QuickBooks Desktop. You install your valid 2017 license on their virtual machine, and access your company file through a secure remote desktop connection.

Advantages:

Managed Infrastructure: The hosting provider handles server maintenance, hardware failures, and daily backups.
Accessibility: You and your team can log in from any device, including Macs, Chromebooks, or tablets.
Data Security: Your company file lives in a secure data center rather than on a local office computer or an easily lost laptop.

Considerations: You will pay a recurring monthly fee per user. Additionally, because QuickBooks 2017 is discontinued, you must find a provider willing to host an older version. Many authorized hosts support legacy versions, but you will be responsible for maintaining your own manual QBO, CSV, or IIF file imports to replace the disconnected bank feeds.

Self-Hosted Remote Desktop

If you already have a capable PC or server in your office, you can host QuickBooks 2017 yourself. In this setup, the 2017 software and your company file remain on the office machine, but you use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or third-party remote access software (like Chrome Remote Desktop or TeamViewer) to log into that machine from outside the office.

Advantages:

Cost Effective: Aside from the remote access software, there are no monthly hosting fees.
Complete Control: You manage the hardware, the network, and exactly when (or if) the operating system updates.

Considerations: You are entirely responsible for the machine's health. If the local hard drive fails, your system goes down unless you have a rigorous local backup strategy. Furthermore, you must configure your office firewall and router to allow secure remote connections without exposing your network to the internet.

Local Machine vs. Hosted Environment

Keeping QuickBooks 2017 on a single local machine is the default approach, but it comes with distinct tradeoffs compared to moving it off-site:

Hardware Failure: A local installation is tied to one physical drive. If that drive fails, you risk severe data loss. Hosted environments typically include redundant storage. If your local file becomes unreadable, you may need professional QuickBooks file recovery to extract the data.
Multi-User Access: Setting up a local multi-user network for an older version can be finicky, especially if different workstations have updated their operating systems. A hosted environment standardizes the network environment for all users.
Software Degradation: Local machines automatically download OS updates that can occasionally break older legacy software. A dedicated hosted server allows you to lock the environment exactly where QuickBooks 2017 runs best.

Preparing Your 2017 File for the Move

Regardless of whether you choose a third-party host or a self-hosted remote desktop, the migration process for the company file is identical across all QuickBooks versions. Create a full backup (.qbb) of your company file on your current local machine, copy that backup file to the new hosted server, and restore it there.

Before you make the final switch, run a Verify and Rebuild data utility on your local file to ensure you are migrating a clean, undamaged database to your new remote environment.