What is the maximum data file size in MB for quicken Starter

philvescio

I've been using Quicken since 2008, I attach PDF account statements and bills and invoices that I deem important. I'm now at 399,500KB or almost 400MB and wondering if the software itself has a maximum data file size. I have plenty of space on my 250GB SSD drive.

Sherlock

The limits are the same for all Quicken editions: https://www.quicken.com/support/size-or-capacity-limitations-quicken-data-file

Chris_QPW

In reality the attachments don't even count towards the limits (as in no limits).

For attachments what is happening is inside the database they have a "link" for each attachment.  That link tells them where the attachments are stored.   The QDF file is actually a compressed file like a Zip file, and the attachments are held in folders in that compressed file.  7-Zip (a free zip program) can open/read (but not write) the QDF file.

This is also why the attachments don't have a performance impact on Quicken.  They are never read in until you access them.  The Attach folder would be where I have indicated below.  It isn't there in my data file because I don't have any attachments.  I use to, but frankly these days I don't trust Quicken for storage of my important documents.

Chris_QPW

philvescio said:

Thanks Chris, Sherlock did say that the Data file size was only limited by the size of my hard disk and I missed it. But your your detailed answer is very interesting and informative informative. I don't trust online storage either and do keep backups of my QDF file. I didn't know that the QDF was a ZIP'd file and will certainly get a copy of 7-ZIP.
Thanks again, Phil

Be sure not to write out your data file using 7-Zip, it will not work.

Also note that since a few years ago they removed the option to decide if the attachments should be encrypted or not.  All attachments are now encrypted and as such you can't read them from outside of Quicken.

Sherlock

The limits are the same for all Quicken editions: https://www.quicken.com/support/size-or-capacity-limitations-quicken-data-file

Chris_QPW

In reality the attachments don't even count towards the limits (as in no limits).

For attachments what is happening is inside the database they have a "link" for each attachment.  That link tells them where the attachments are stored.   The QDF file is actually a compressed file like a Zip file, and the attachments are held in folders in that compressed file.  7-Zip (a free zip program) can open/read (but not write) the QDF file.

This is also why the attachments don't have a performance impact on Quicken.  They are never read in until you access them.  The Attach folder would be where I have indicated below.  It isn't there in my data file because I don't have any attachments.  I use to, but frankly these days I don't trust Quicken for storage of my important documents.

philvescio

Thanks Chris, Sherlock did say that the Data file size was only limited by the size of my hard disk and I missed it. But your your detailed answer is very interesting and informative informative. I don't trust online storage either and do keep backups of my QDF file. I didn't know that the QDF was a ZIP'd file and will certainly get a copy of 7-ZIP.
Thanks again, Phil

Chris_QPW

philvescio said:

Thanks Chris, Sherlock did say that the Data file size was only limited by the size of my hard disk and I missed it. But your your detailed answer is very interesting and informative informative. I don't trust online storage either and do keep backups of my QDF file. I didn't know that the QDF was a ZIP'd file and will certainly get a copy of 7-ZIP.
Thanks again, Phil

Be sure not to write out your data file using 7-Zip, it will not work.

Also note that since a few years ago they removed the option to decide if the attachments should be encrypted or not.  All attachments are now encrypted and as such you can't read them from outside of Quicken.

philvescio

Good to know, Thanks again