Company File Opens Read-Only on Network Share
Quick Answer
If your .QBW opens Read-Only from a network share, fix permissions, hosting mode, and offline caching. Do this: Ensure only the server is hosting, confirm the data folder has Modify rights for users (share and NTFS), remove the read-only attribute, and disable Offline Files/Sync Center for that path. Then reopen via a UNC path like \\Server\QBData\Company.qbw.
What is this issue?
QuickBooks needs write access to the company folder and its sidecar files (.ND/.TLG/.LGB). If Windows treats the path as read-only—because of permissions, attributes, or caching—QuickBooks forces read-only mode.
Problem statement:
Windows share/NTFS settings or caching prevent write access to the QB data folder, so the .QBW opens read-only.
Error Read-Only: Company file opens in read-only mode
Windows permissions, attributes, or caching prevent write access to QuickBooks company file.
Symptoms:
- •Title bar shows (Read-Only) or you can't switch to Multi-user Mode
- •Can open on the server but not from workstations
- •Folder opens in Explorer, but saving changes fails
- •.ND and .TLG update timestamps don't change when opening from a client
Resolution Steps:
- 1.Enforce one host only (server hosts; workstations do not)
- 2.Fix share & NTFS permissions (grant Modify on the folder)
- 3.Remove Read-only attribute on the folder and unblock file streams
- 4.Disable Offline Files/Sync Center (and third-party sync) for the data path
- 5.Open the file via UNC (not a stale mapped drive) and test multi-user
Quick Fix (≈5 Minutes)
Fastest, official-first approach
Step 1: One-host rule
- On the server (where .QBW lives): File → Utilities should show Stop Hosting Multi-User Access (meaning hosting is ON there).
- On every workstation: File → Utilities should show Host Multi-User Access (meaning hosting is OFF there).
Step 2: Grant folder rights (share + NTFS)
- Data folder example:
D:\QBData(orC:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files\). - Share permissions: add Users (or a QB group) → Change (or Full Control).
- Security (NTFS): add the same principals → Modify (propagates to files/subfolders).
- Apply → OK.
Step 3: Clear read-only & unblock
- Right-click the data folder → Properties → uncheck Read-only → Apply to all files/folders.
- If files were copied from another PC, right-click the .QBW → Properties → click Unblock (if shown).
Step 4: Disable Offline Files / Sync
- Control Panel → Sync Center → Manage Offline Files → Disable (reboot if asked).
- Ensure OneDrive/Dropbox are not syncing the QB data folder.
Step 5: Open via UNC
- In QuickBooks: File → Open or Restore Company → Open a company file → browse to
\\ServerName\QBData\YourCompany.qbw. - Switch to Multi-user Mode and test saving.
Detailed Solution Steps
- Folder → Properties → Security → Advanced → Owner should be Administrators or a service admin.
- Check "Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permissions from this object." Apply.
- On the server,
services.msc→ QuickBooksDBXX / QBDBMgrN → Log On tab. - If it runs as a domain/local service account, ensure that account has Modify on the data folder.
- Make sure all users are out of the file.
- In the data folder, if
YourCompany.qbw.ndlooks stale, rename to.nd.old(DB Manager will recreate it). - Do not delete .QBW. Leave .TLG alone unless directed by a backup/rebuild workflow.
- If using DFS or special NAS shares, test directly with
\\ServerName\Share\...to rule out path policies. - Avoid opening from C$ admin shares on workstations.
- This PC → Map network drive → Folder:
\\ServerName\QBData→ Reconnect at sign-in. - Update any old shortcuts to the new mapping.
Why does this happen?
Common causes
- •Only Read rights on share or NTFS, or rights granted to files but not folder (no create/modify).
- •The data path is cached offline by Sync Center or synced by OneDrive/Dropbox.
- •Folder copied from another PC inherited read-only + blocked streams.
- •Wrong machine hosting (multiple hosts), stale .ND, or opening via an old mapped drive.
How to Prevent It
Best Practices
- Standardize on a dedicated folder like D:\QBData and share as \\QB-SERVER\QBData.
- Grant Modify to your QBUsers group at both Share and NTFS levels.
- Keep one host policy and rescan with Database Server Manager after changes.
- Keep the data folder out of OneDrive/Dropbox; disable Offline Files for it.
- Use UNC for shortcuts; map drives from UNC to avoid stale paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Full Control or just Modify?
Modify is sufficient (create, write, delete). Full Control is okay for admins.
Will changing permissions affect my data?
No—permissions don't alter the .QBW contents; they just allow writes.
It's still read-only even after fixing permissions—now what?
Test opening the Sample Company from the same workstation to isolate. If sample works, rename your .ND to .old, rescan the folder in Database Server Manager (on the server), then reopen via UNC.
Can I store the company file in OneDrive/Dropbox?
Not recommended. Sync engines lock/replace files and can corrupt multi-user sessions. Keep the live file on a server share only; sync backups elsewhere.
Related Resources
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