Does Quicken put folders onto the desktop?

Question

For the longest time I've had three folders on my desktop, which aren't ones I remember putting there. The folders are:

- Inet
 - Log
 - Config

Normally I don't have the time to look into them, but tonight I had some more time, so I performed a web search trying to find out what they're about. I came across some web sites that mentioned folders Inet and Log both being put there by Quicken. I get the feeling that they're there, normally hidden from the user. However, I always turn on Show hidden files, folder and drives. Also I turn off Hide extensions for known file types. I always want to see what's on my system, when I bring up File Explorer in Windows 10 or 11.

Anyway, the implication was that Inet and Log are there, placed there by Quicken for some reason, and normally hidden from the user's view. Because I habitually show what Windows by default hides, I see these folders.

At least that's my understanding. So, am I correct about folder INet and Log on my desktop? Are they some sort of artifact put in place by Quicken? And is the folder Config another Quicken folder placed on the desktop for some reason?

Chris_QPW · Answer

You can delete those folders/files.  I would change the start directory on the shortcut to where your data file is stored,  that way at least if Quicken creates them again most likely it will create them where your data file is instead of on your Desktop.

Rod F. · Answer

@Chris_QPW are you mostly correct. The Config and Inet folder are all empty. However the Log folder has a file in it named CONNLOG.TXT, dated from 4/29/2018. It has one line in it which reads:

20180429 13:46:58: CC Request Complete ---- [Initializing Communication]: Status/Error Code : 0

This definitely has the feel of something left over from, apparently 2018.

So, do I need any of this anymore?

Concerning the shortcuts properties the target is pointing to qw.exe in my "C:\Program Files (x86)\Quicken" folder. The Start in property is blank. Given what you've said, I'm wondering if some version of Quicken, back in 2018, placed folders onto my Windows' desktop. Then OneDrive goes about it's business duplicating that, configuration, ever since? Can I get rid of those 3 folders?

Chris_QPW · Answer

I will bet you will find that they are all empty.  What's more if they are on your Desktop, I will bet that either your Quicken data file is on the Desktop or you are starting from a Quicken Desktop shortcut that has the starting directory set to the Desktop.

From time to time Quicken puts all kinds of folders that belong with the configuration log files where Quicken starts from.  Put doesn't usually put anything in them.