Auto Data Recovery (ADR) is a special feature available in QuickBooks Desktop that helps to recover damaged QuickBooks files, lost data, and will create a local backup copy of your company file for you. It was first available in QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Premier and then added to QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise in 2012.

The feature makes use of two distinct Sybase technologies, ‘auto replication’ which creates a duplicate of your QuickBooks Company (.QBW) file and the QuickBooks Transaction Log (.QBW.tlg) file, and ‘auto-recovery’. The biggest advantage of using this tool is it helps to recovers lost data.

Read this article if you want to get an overview of how does QuickBooks auto data recovery tools and software work. In case you want any immediate help, you can ask your queries to our QuickBooks ProAdvisor at our toll-free number +1-855-441-4417.

There are two ways that QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery can help you recover your lost file:

Recreate lost transactions using your current Transaction Log file and a copy of your Company file.

Recreate all but the last few hours of transactions with a copy of both your Company file and also your Transaction Log file.

Things to remember before doing the ‘Auto Data Recovery’

QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery Tool is compatible with QuickBooks Pro, Premier, Enterprise for windows.

The feature is not available in Accountant Editions.

There is a file size limit of 1.5 gigabytes. For backups greater than 1.5 gigabytes, you cannot create an auto data recovery.

Your QuickBooks Desktop should have the latest updates.

Recover lost data with QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery:

Before you proceed to have a look:

ADR is only available in QuickBooks Pro, Premier, and Enterprise Solutions for Windows.

This feature is not available in Accountant Editions

The ADR file size limitation is 1.5 Gigabytes. If your backup is bigger than 1.5 Gigabytes, and ADR will not be created.

To maximize this feature, make sure to update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version available.

Follow the solutions in the order shown

Solution 1: Use the original .TLG file with .QBW.adr file:

Utilize the original Transaction Log file and ADR version of the company file to recover all recent transactions.

Create a new folder on your Desktop named QBTest.

Open the folder where the company file is saved.

Note: You can check the location of the company file on the Product Information screen and No Company Open Window.

Copy the corresponding .tlg file of your company file and paste it to the QBTest folder on your Desktop.

Show File Extensions:

On your keyboard, press Windows+E to open File Explorer.

Click Organize and select Folder and search options.

Windows 10, 8.1 & 8: Click View and select Filename extension.

Select Hide extensions for known file types.

Click Apply and OK

Open the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder

Quick tip: It is in the same location as your company file.

Copy the.QBW.adr file and paste it to the QBTest Folder. You should now have a.QBW.adr and .tlg file on your QBTest folder.

In your QBTest folder, right-click the.QBW.adr file and select Rename.

Delete .adr from the end of the file.

Open QuickBooks.

Open the company file that is saved on your QBTest folder. Use your account register to verify all transactions are there.

Run verify utility to ensure the integrity of this company file.

If this copy of the company file is nice, you’ll move the damaged company file to a different location

And transfer the copy from QBTest to the original location.

Solution 2: Use.QBW.adr and.TLG.ADR Files

This solution will utilize the ADR version of both the.QBW and.TLG files. This should recover all but the last 12 hours of transactions.

Create a new folder on your Desktop

And make the folder name is QBTest.

Open the folder QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery.

Note: You can check the location of the company file on the Product Information screen

Copy the.TLG.adr and.QBW.adr files and paste them to the QBTest folder.

Show File Extensions:

On your keyboard, press Windows+E to open File Explorer.

Click Organize and select Folder and search options.

Windows 10, 8.1 & 8: Click View and select File name extension.

Select Hide extensions for known file types.

Click Apply and OK

The QBTest folder, remove the .adr from the end of the file name. That should give you a .qbw and .tlg files on your QBTest folder.

Open QuickBooks.

Open the company file that is saved on your QBTest folder. use your account register to verify all transactions are there.

Run verify utility to make sure the integrity of this company file.

If this copy of the company file is nice, you’ll be able to move the damaged company file to a different location

And you can transfer the copy from QBTest to the original location.

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