The fastest way to move Quicken is to back up your file on the old computer, then restore it on the new one

Quicken stores all your financial data in a single file. Moving that file from your old computer to your new one takes about 15 minutes if you follow the right steps. The process is: back up on the old machine, transfer the backup file, install Quicken on the new machine, then restore from the backup. You do not need to re-enter transactions or reconfigure accounts.

The backup method works whether you are moving from Windows to Windows, Mac to Mac, or between different versions of Quicken. It also protects your data during the move — if something goes wrong, you still have the original file on the old computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your Quicken file on the old computer using File > Back Up, which creates a compressed file you can transfer safely.
  • Move the backup file to the new computer using a USB drive, cloud storage, or email — any method that gets the file across works.
  • Install the same version of Quicken on the new computer before restoring, or use a newer version if one is available.
  • Restore the backup on the new computer using File > Restore, which rebuilds your accounts and transactions exactly as they were.
  • Deactivate Quicken on the old computer after confirming everything works on the new one, since most versions allow only one active installation.

Back up your file on the old computer

Open Quicken on your old computer and go to File > Back Up. Quicken will ask you where to save the backup file — choose a location you can easily find, like your Desktop or Documents folder. The backup file has a .qbw extension (for Windows) or .qdf extension (for Mac), and it will be smaller than your original file because Quicken compresses it.

Wait for the backup to finish. Quicken will show a confirmation message when it is done. Do not close the program until you see this message. If Quicken asks whether you want to verify the backup, click yes — this takes a minute and confirms the file is not corrupted before you move it.

Transfer the backup file to your new computer

You have three common ways to move the backup file: a USB drive, cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, or email. A USB drive is fastest if you have one available. Plug it into the old computer, copy the backup file to the drive, then plug it into the new computer and copy the file to a folder you will remember.

If you use cloud storage, upload the backup file to your account on the old computer, then read it on the new computer. If you use email, attach the backup file and send it to yourself — the file is usually small enough that email will accept it without trouble.

Install Quicken on the new computer

Before you restore your backup, Quicken must be installed on the new machine. If you already have Quicken installed, skip to the next section. If not, read Quicken from Intuit's website or use the installation disc if you have one. You will need your license key or login information to set up the software.

If you are moving to a newer version of Quicken than you had on the old computer, that is fine — the newer version can read backups from older versions. If you are moving to an older version, the backup may not work. In that case, contact Intuit support before proceeding.

Restore the backup on the new computer

Open Quicken on the new computer and go to File > Restore. Quicken will ask you to locate the backup file you transferred. Navigate to wherever you saved it and select it. Quicken will then rebuild your accounts, transactions, and settings from the backup.

The restore process takes a few minutes depending on how much data you have. When it finishes, Quicken will show your accounts and all your transaction history exactly as it was on the old computer. Check a few accounts to confirm the data looks correct before you move on.

Deactivate Quicken on the old computer

Most versions of Quicken allow you to use your license on only one computer at a time. After you confirm everything is working on the new computer, go back to the old one and deactivate Quicken. Open Quicken, go to Help > Deactivate License (or a similar option depending on your version), and follow the prompts.

If you cannot find the deactivate option, you can also contact Intuit support and ask them to deactivate the license remotely. Keep the old computer available for a few days in case you need to restore from the backup again — once you are certain the new computer is set up correctly, you can wipe the old machine or give it away.

What to do if the backup file is corrupted

If Quicken shows an error when you try to restore the backup, the file may have been damaged during transfer. Go back to the old computer and create a new backup. Make sure the file transfers completely — if you are using email, check that the attachment uploaded fully before sending. If you are using a USB drive, safely eject it before unplugging.

If the new backup still will not restore, Quicken may have an issue with the old file itself. In this case, you can export your data as a text file or CSV and import it into a fresh Quicken file on the new computer, though this requires more work. Contact Intuit support if you need help with this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the same version of Quicken on the new computer?

No. A newer version of Quicken can restore backups from older versions without trouble. An older version cannot read backups from newer versions, so if you are downgrading, contact Intuit first to see if they can help.

Can I move Quicken if I use Quicken Cloud or Quicken Online?

If your data is stored in the cloud, you do not need to back up and restore — just log into your account on the new computer and your data will be there. If you use the desktop version with local files, follow the backup and restore steps in this guide.

What if I forgot my Quicken password?

You can reset your password through Intuit's website before you move Quicken. Go to the Intuit login page, click "Forgot password," and follow the steps. Once you reset it, you can log in on the new computer.

Will my bank connections work on the new computer?

Yes. When you restore the backup, Quicken restores your bank connections along with everything else. You may need to re-enter your bank password the first time you connect on the new computer for security reasons, but the connection itself transfers.

Can I keep Quicken running on both computers at the same time?

Most versions of Quicken allow only one active installation per license. If you try to use the same license on both computers, Quicken will ask you to deactivate it on one of them. If you need Quicken on multiple computers, you may need to purchase additional licenses.