Can the automatic backup file location be changed?

mecaulfield

Is there any way to change the file location of the automatic backups? I want to have the automatic backups stored on a hard drive attached to my computer, and I have not found a way to do that.

Sherlock

If you would like have Quicken save automatic backups to folder other than the BACKUP folder in the data file's folder, I suggest you use a directory junction.

1. Exit Quicken.
2. Move the current contents of the BACKUP folder to new folder.
3. Remove the BACKUP folder.
4. Open a cmd window as Administrator.
5. Enter an appropriate mklink /J command:
   mklink /J "E:\new folder" "C:\Users\joe\Documents\Quicken\BACKUP"

Quicken will think it is saving the files to the original BACKUP folder but the files will be saved to the new folder.

thecreator

Hi @mecaulfield ,

No. Uncheck Automatic Backups. Perform Manual Backups, instead. With Manual Backups, you can tell Quicken where to back up manually to. Quicken retains the information in the field, but it does not launch Manual Backups. You need to do it, yourself.

See this FAQ for the future:  https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7307115/add-your-quicken-information-to-your-posts-plus-how-you-are-connected-to-the-internet

UKR

How to properly set up Quicken Backup
How to make Quicken create a backup for you automatically every time you close Quicken
What Quicken backups are available where?

For the sake of this discussion it is assumed that your Quicken data file is located in the Default (and recommended) place: C:\Users\username\Documents\Quicken

Review the backup settings available in Quicken (under Edit / Preferences / Backup).

In there you will find two types of backup: Automatic and Manual Backup.

Automatic Backup should be enabled and always goes to a \Backup folder that's part of the folder which contains your current Quicken data file, e.g. \Documents\Quicken\Backup. Set it to create a backup after running Quicken [1] times and to keep [9] (or more, your choice) backup copies.
The file name for Automatic Backup files contains a date and time stamp as part of the file name, e.g. QDATA-2020-03-22.PM03.45.QDF-backup

To create a Manual Backup copy of your Quicken data file on an external device (USB-hard drive or USB memory stick recommended), put a checkmark at "Manual Backup Reminder" to enable the function and set "Remind me after running Quicken [xx] times" to [1].

Click OK to save the changes.

From now on, when you close Quicken using the red X button, you will get a popup window.

When you get this window for the first time, on some versions click the radio button for "Backup on my computer".
Change the Backup File name's drive letter and path to point to your external device so that it looks something like this: E:\Quicken Backup\QDATA-2019-04-01.QDF-backup
or use the Change button and work your way through the dialog.

Do not change the filename portion! Just overtype the drive letter and choose a backup folder name. If the folder does not exist, it will be created.

Also choose the option to "Add date to backup file name".

Every day when you run Backup or close Quicken, an additional backup file is created. Without the Add Date option you only have 1 backup copy which is overwritten every day ... and that may prove bad in a problem recovery situation.

Allow this backup to run to save the changes made on the screen.

Of course, once in a while you will have to go in and delete some of the oldest backup files, at your discretion, to avoid filling up your USB device.

One can never have enough backups of a Quicken data file. BTDTGTS!

Sherlock

If you would like have Quicken save automatic backups to folder other than the BACKUP folder in the data file's folder, I suggest you use a directory junction.

1. Exit Quicken.
2. Move the current contents of the BACKUP folder to new folder.
3. Remove the BACKUP folder.
4. Open a cmd window as Administrator.
5. Enter an appropriate mklink /J command:
   mklink /J "E:\new folder" "C:\Users\joe\Documents\Quicken\BACKUP"

Quicken will think it is saving the files to the original BACKUP folder but the files will be saved to the new folder.