How to Find Your QuickBooks Desktop License Number and Product Number

Mark john

Finding your QuickBooks Desktop license number and product number is essential when you need to reinstall the software, move it to a new computer, activate it after an update, or contact support. These two numbers uniquely identify your licensed copy and must be entered during installation or reactivation. In 2026, the most reliable places to locate your QuickBooks Desktop license and product number are inside the program itself (using the F2 key), in the Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPS), or in your original purchase confirmation email or packaging. This guide walks you through every practical method so you can quickly retrieve the details you need.

Once you locate your QuickBooks Desktop license and product number, you will be ready to install QuickBooks Desktop using your license details without delays or activation errors.

What Are the License Number and Product Number?

License Number: A unique code (usually formatted in groups of numbers and letters) that proves you own a valid copy of QuickBooks Desktop. It is tied to your Intuit account and the number of users allowed.
Product Number (also called Product Code): A shorter code that identifies the specific edition and year of the software (for example, Pro, Premier, or Enterprise 2024).

Both numbers are required during first-time installation, reactivation after hardware changes, or when changing the license on an existing installation. QuickBooks Online does not use these numbers; it relies on a Company ID instead.

Method 1: Find License and Product Number Inside QuickBooks Desktop (Fastest)

If QuickBooks is already installed and opens normally, this is the quickest way:

Open QuickBooks Desktop and open any company file (or the sample file if needed).
Press the F2 key on your keyboard (or Ctrl + 1 on some systems).
The Product Information window appears.
At the top of the window you will see:Product name (for example, QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2024)
Product number
License number
Note the release information at the end of the product name and the version details lower in the window if needed.

You can also reach this information through the menu: Help → About QuickBooks or Help → Product Information (wording varies slightly by version).

Write the numbers down or take a clear screenshot and store them in a safe place.

Method 2: Retrieve License Details from the Customer Account Management Portal (CAMPS)

CAMPS (camps.intuit.com) is the official online portal where Intuit stores all registered QuickBooks Desktop licenses, download links, and subscription details. Use this method when:

QuickBooks is not installed
The program will not open
You need to install on a new computer
You have multiple licenses or editions

Steps to find your numbers in CAMPS:

Go to camps.intuit.com in your browser.
Sign in with the Intuit account email and password associated with your QuickBooks purchase (this may be different from the login used inside QuickBooks company files).
After signing in, look under Products and Services.
Locate your QuickBooks Desktop product (Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Enterprise, or Mac Plus).
Click Details (or “Show more”).
Your license number, product number, edition, version, and download options will be displayed.

For ProAdvisors using a software bundle, select the appropriate PAP Enterprise or Accountant Plus subscription and expand the details to view the current license information.

Always keep a record of the email address that owns the CAMPS account. Losing access to that login is one of the most common reasons people cannot retrieve their license numbers.

Method 3: Check Your Original Purchase Confirmation Email

If you bought QuickBooks Desktop digitally from Intuit:

Search your email inbox (and spam/junk folders) for messages from Intuit or QuickBooks.
Look for subject lines containing “order confirmation,” “license,” “download,” or “fulfillment.”
Open the email and locate the section that lists the Product Number and License Number.

If you purchased a physical retail copy years ago, the license and product numbers were printed on a brightly colored sticker on the original packaging or CD sleeve, usually near the UPC barcode. Keep that packaging if you still have it.

Method 4: Other Places the Numbers May Appear

Old installation notes or a password manager where you stored software keys
Previous support tickets or emails from Intuit Customer Care
The qbregistration.dat file (advanced users only — found via F2 then F3 → Open File tab). This method is rarely needed and should be used carefully.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the License Number

Confirm you are using the correct Intuit account email in CAMPS. Try alternate emails that may have been used for the original purchase.
Check with any previous bookkeeper, IT person, or business partner who may have handled the original registration.
Contact Intuit support with proof of purchase (order number, last four digits of the payment method, or company name). They can often look up the license if the product was properly registered.
Note that after the September 2024 stop-sell of new Pro Plus and Premier Plus licenses, only existing subscribers can continue renewing. Enterprise remains available for new purchases.

How to Change or Update a License Number

If you need to enter a different license (for example, after upgrading editions or moving to a new subscription):

On Windows:

Open QuickBooks.
Go to Help → Manage My License → Change My License Number.
Enter the new license number and follow the prompts.

On Mac:

Go to the QuickBooks menu → Manage My License → Deauthorize This Computer.
Reopen the program and complete the registration process with the correct numbers.

Tips for Keeping License Information Safe

Store the license number, product number, and CAMPS login credentials in a secure password manager.
Take a screenshot of the Product Information window (F2) after every successful installation or update.
Note the email address tied to the CAMPS account and share it only with trusted administrators.
When migrating to a new computer, use the official QuickBooks Migrator Tool so you do not have to re-enter the numbers manually in many cases.

Next Steps After Locating Your License Details

Once you have successfully retrieved your license number and product number, you can proceed with a clean installation or reactivation. Follow the steps to install QuickBooks Desktop using your license details for a complete walkthrough of downloading the correct installer, choosing Express or Custom install, activating the software, and setting up multi-user access if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the license number the same as the validation code?

No. The license number and product number are permanent identifiers. A validation code is sometimes requested during activation and is generated based on those numbers plus your computer’s hardware.

Can I find the license number without opening QuickBooks?

Yes — through CAMPS or your original purchase email/packaging.

Does QuickBooks Online use a license number?

No. QuickBooks Online uses a Company ID, which is visible under Account and Settings → Billing & Subscription.

What if my CAMPS login no longer works?

Use the account recovery options on the Intuit sign-in page. If you no longer have access to the registered email, contact Intuit support with proof of purchase.

Can one license be used on multiple computers?

Each license has a defined user limit (typically 1–3 for Pro, up to 5 for Premier, and higher for Enterprise). You can install on the allowed number of computers, but simultaneous use is limited by the license terms.

Having your QuickBooks Desktop license number and product number ready eliminates one of the most common roadblocks during installation, reinstallation, and support calls. Use the F2 method when the software is available, and rely on CAMPS as your permanent online record. With the numbers in hand, you are fully prepared for the next stage of setup.