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Quicken Does Not Accept the Data File Password

Updated: 4/30/2012 | Article ID: GEN83882

You cannot access a password-protect data file without the password. The Quicken file password feature is intended to prevent anyone who does not have the password from accessing the file. If you cannot remember the password to the file, or if the person who protected the file is not available to give you the password, you will not be able to access that Quicken file.

Before taking any steps

  • Are you in the correct data file? You may have inadvertently opened the wrong data file.
  • Try all passwords you may have used for Quicken files or for other password-protected functions (such as your email or bank sign in).
  • If the password contains numbers, make sure your keyboard Num Lock is turned on if you are using the numeric keypad.
  • Quicken passwords are case sensitive. Make sure that the Caps Lock key is not on, and then retype the password, being careful to use the correct capitalization.

 

Have you upgraded to Quicken 2012 and the data file password is unrecognized?

This can be caused by the enhanced security features of Quicken 2012. You may be able to resolve this issue yourself by reverting to your previously installed version, opening the data file in that version, and then removing the password from the data file. Once you have the password removed, you should be able to successfully convert back to 2012, open the data file, and reset your password as desired.

Before proceeding, you will need your previous version of Quicken and Quicken 2012 on hand.

  1. Uninstall Quicken 2012.
  2. Once Quicken 2012 has been uninstalled, reinstall the earlier version.
  3. Open your Quicken data file.
  4. Remove the password.
  5. Reinstall Quicken 2012.
  6. Upgrade/Convert your Quicken data file to Quicken 2012 (you should no longer be prompted for a password).
  7. Once upgraded/converted, if desired, you can now reset your data file password.

Consider restoring a backup

If you made a backup copy of the data file before adding the password, restore that backup. You'll need to manually add any data that you added to the password-protected file since the backup. Rename the password-protected file before you begin so it remains untouched in case you recall the password later or need to send the file to Intuit for password removal (steps below). If you need to, check out the steps to restore a backup.

Consider using the Quicken Data File Password Removal Tool

We've designed a tool that removes your Quicken data file password (the password you enter when you first open a password-protected Quicken data file), allowing you to get back to your finances and enter a new, easier to remember password if you'd like. Find it here.

Consider creating a new data file

If your file doesn't contain a lot of information, you may want to consider creating a new file and reentering the data. In some cases, reentering the data may be quicker and easier. Detailed steps on creating a new data file can be found GEN82067.

Contact Quicken Help and Support for assistance

If all the above steps have failed, try using the assisted password removal service.

Intuit offers password removal services for your Quicken data file and transaction passwords. This service is for currently supported versions of Quicken (U.S. Versions of Quicken only). Steps to submit request here.

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