Backup or Restore Quicken Data

1. Insert or attach the external media you want to back up your Quicken data file to.
2. If it is not already open, open the data file you want to back up.
3. Select the File menu > Backup or Restore > Backup Quicken File.
4. Select the radio dial next to Back up on my computer or hard drive (CD, hard drive, thumb drive) field, then if necessary click Change... to select where you would like to store your backup.
5. Click Back up Now to start the backup process.
6. Click OK when Quicken tells you that the backup is complete.

Quicken can remind you to back up your file

1. Select Edit > Preferences > Quicken Program/Preferences.
2. Under Setup, select Backup.
3. Edit the value in the Remind after running Quicken field to change the frequency of the reminder for backing up on exit.

Quicken Online Backup is the only way to back up your Quicken data file directly to the Web from within Quicken. A high-speed connection is recommended.

1. Open the data file that you want to back up.
2. Select the File menu > Backup and restore > Backup Quicken File.
3. Select Learn more for more information regarding plan details, options, and prices.
4. Click Get Started Now and follow the on-screen instructions for signing up.

After you sign up or if you are already registered

1. If it is not already open, open the data file you want to back up.
2. Select File menu > Backup and restore > Backup Quicken File.
3. Select the radio dial next to Use Quicken Online Backup.
4. Select Back up Now to start the backup process.
5. After Quicken reports the backup is complete, click OK.

By default, Quicken Online Backup backs up only your Quicken data file from within Quicken. However, if you open the full Quicken Online Backup product (Click Start, and then choose All  Programs > Quicken > Quicken Online Backup, and then specify that you want to include additional files in your backup, all the files that you specify in the full Quicken Online Backup product will be included in the next backup you make from within Quicken. If you don't want to back up more than just your Quicken data file from within Quicken, modify the files you want to include in the full Quicken Online Backup product.

1. Select the File menu > Backup and Restore > Restore from Backup File....
2. Select the radio dial next to Restore from your backup, then click Browse.
3. Browse your computer or external media to find the backup file you want to restore. The Quicken backup file has the extension .QDF-Backup.
4. If you are restoring a file over the current file, click OK to overwrite the current file.
   • What does it mean to overwrite a file?

     Restoring a backup file replaces your current data with the data stored on the backup disk. Be aware that you will lose any changes you made to your file since the backup was created. If you want to preserve the current file, you must rename the current file or the file you are restoring.

5. When you see a message that the file is restored, click OK.

Quicken creates a historical copy of your data every seven days and stores five of these copies in a BACKUP folder. If the backup file you've created becomes damaged, you may be able to restore an automatic backup and save yourself the need to reenter some data.

Check to see if automatic backups is turned on (this is on by default)

1. Select the Edit menu > Preferences.
2. Under Setup on the left, click on Backup.
3. Make sure there is a check mark next to Automatic Backups.
   • Next to Automatic Backups, there is an Open backup directory link that links directly to your BACKUP folder - a good way of finding them fast.
   • Choose to backup your Quicken data file after running Quicken X times (between 1 - 99).
   • Choose how many backup data files you would like to save (between 1 - 99 copies).

Restore an automatic backup

1. Select the File menu and select Backup and Restore > Restore from Backup File....
2. Make sure the radio dial is selected next to Restore from automatic backups.
3. Select the file to restore.
4. Click Restore Backup.

1. Select the File menu > Backup and Restore > Restore from Backup File....
2. Select the radio dial next to Restore from online backup, then click on Restore Backup.
3. Select the radio dial next to I am an existing customer, then click OK.
4. Enter your Account ID and Password for the Online Backup service (this will be saved after your first sign in).
5. Select the backup file you wish to restore and press OK.
   • How do I select the file I want?

     A dialog lists the last 90 days of backups you have made of each Quicken data file that you are backing up online. The file with the most recent date and time stamp is the most recently backed up data file.

6. To close the confirmation message that Quicken displays when your files are restored, click OK.

Any attachments that were backed up with your Quicken data file are automatically restored as part of the file restoration process.

What if Quicken doesn't restore my attachments?