Can I run Quicken on two computers?

Bob@60

Have a desktop and a laptop. I want to run Quicken on both computers. Can I just download the program on the laptop and sync the two?

jr7107

If you have the QDF file in a shared location, then yes but "one application at a time". I don't recommend interacting with the same file and two Q applications. And both versions will need to be in sync. You can install it on a second computer using your Quicken ID. I have as a backup.

Also, daily backups would be recommended here. I have not tested this in a while.

Greg_the_Geek

I would not recommend keeping your Quicken data file in a shared location. That can lead to corruption. Your data file should be kept on the local C: drive and then backed up to a cloud drive (ie: Dropbox, OneDrive). You would need to restore it on the other computer and when finished with Quicken, back up to a cloud drive.

jr7107

If you have the QDF file in a shared location, then yes but "one application at a time". I don't recommend interacting with the same file and two Q applications. And both versions will need to be in sync. You can install it on a second computer using your Quicken ID. I have as a backup.

Also, daily backups would be recommended here. I have not tested this in a while.

Greg_the_Geek

I would not recommend keeping your Quicken data file in a shared location. That can lead to corruption. Your data file should be kept on the local C: drive and then backed up to a cloud drive (ie: Dropbox, OneDrive). You would need to restore it on the other computer and when finished with Quicken, back up to a cloud drive.

Bob@60

Looks like it's just too much trouble. I don't like moving files around. There are already too many quicken files on my computer. Gets very confusing. Backups, QDf.s, Pdf's, etc. etc.. Enough already. Another reason to find a new bookkeeping program. I've used quicken for almost 20 years. It's a shame.

NotACPA

The problem with keeping your QDF on a shared drive is that Q lacks the "Lock", "Commit" and "Rollback" (i.e., the database commands) that are necessary for that configuration.

SO, the first time that you get a hiccup, during a Q write operation, your QDF is TOAST, and irreparably so.

splasher

Another way would be to run remote access on the two computers and use the laptop to access & run Quicken running on the desktop, that way there is no confusion as to where the "master" copy of the data file is.