How to Auto Start Quicken

shelquis

Hi. I've moved my Quicken (subscription version) to a new computer. In the past, I've had Quicken to start automatically at 6:30 PM, but I set that process up a number of years ago and I don't remember how I did this. When I check the Quicken tools and options, I see the Auto Update option. That's not what I want though. I want to schedule qw.exe to open at a specific time each weeknight. Would appreciate it if someone could tell me how I can do this. Thanks.

Frankx

Here's a link to a website that explains how to write such a "program" and then have it start at a specific time LINK.  I haven't tried following these instructions, so it is caveat emptor.

Good luck.

Frankx

Ps56k2

Windows has a Task Scheduler....  here are some random clippings -
4 Ways to Open Task Scheduler on Windows 10 (isunshare.com)

Click the lower-left Start button, enter schedule in the empty box and select Schedule tasks from the results.

How to use Task Scheduler in Windows 10: full guide (windowsreport.com)

shelquis

NotACPA said:

By "Start at 6:30PM" do you actually mean that via "Scheduled Updates" you were able to have Q automatically do a download at that time ... or did the program open/start at that time and await your directions?

My Q is set to automatically download at 6:30am,  so that I get the prior days transactions when I get to the computer.

Hi NotACPA. No, I meant that, for years, I have had qw.exe be opened at 6:30 each evening, then I would run OSU and review all the downloads for acceptance into the register. I had never used Scheduled Updates, but I tried it this week and I think what I want to do is have Scheduled Updates run at 6:00 PM, then have qw.exe open at 6:30. That way I won't have to sit there waiting for OSU to run. It looks like Task Scheduler, a Windows utility, will successfully open qw.exe at a time I specify. So that's what I plan to try next week. Appreciate your help. Thanks.

Frankx

Hi @shelquis,

There is no feature in Quicken that will have it start automatically at a certain time.  More likely, you probably had a cmd.exe file setup on your old machine.

Frankx

Frankx

Here's a link to a website that explains how to write such a "program" and then have it start at a specific time LINK.  I haven't tried following these instructions, so it is caveat emptor.

Good luck.

Frankx

shelquis

Thanks Frankx. I haven't checked out your link yet, but I'll follow up on that. Appreciate your help.

NotACPA

By "Start at 6:30PM" do you actually mean that via "Scheduled Updates" you were able to have Q automatically do a download at that time ... or did the program open/start at that time and await your directions?

My Q is set to automatically download at 6:30am,  so that I get the prior days transactions when I get to the computer.

Ps56k2

Windows has a Task Scheduler....  here are some random clippings -
4 Ways to Open Task Scheduler on Windows 10 (isunshare.com)

Click the lower-left Start button, enter schedule in the empty box and select Schedule tasks from the results.

How to use Task Scheduler in Windows 10: full guide (windowsreport.com)

shelquis

NotACPA said:

By "Start at 6:30PM" do you actually mean that via "Scheduled Updates" you were able to have Q automatically do a download at that time ... or did the program open/start at that time and await your directions?

My Q is set to automatically download at 6:30am,  so that I get the prior days transactions when I get to the computer.

Hi NotACPA. No, I meant that, for years, I have had qw.exe be opened at 6:30 each evening, then I would run OSU and review all the downloads for acceptance into the register. I had never used Scheduled Updates, but I tried it this week and I think what I want to do is have Scheduled Updates run at 6:00 PM, then have qw.exe open at 6:30. That way I won't have to sit there waiting for OSU to run. It looks like Task Scheduler, a Windows utility, will successfully open qw.exe at a time I specify. So that's what I plan to try next week. Appreciate your help. Thanks.

shelquis

Ps56k2 said:

Windows has a Task Scheduler....  here are some random clippings -
4 Ways to Open Task Scheduler on Windows 10 (isunshare.com)

Click the lower-left Start button, enter schedule in the empty box and select Schedule tasks from the results.

How to use Task Scheduler in Windows 10: full guide (windowsreport.com)

Hi Ps56k2. Wow, that windowsreport.com article is really thorough. Loved it. I haven't really tried anything sophisticated yet, but I did create a simple basic task using Task Scheduler just to open qw.exe at a specified time, and that went just fine, so I think Task Scheduler is the answer to my question. Thanks.  

NotACPA

By running OSU at 6pm, you're NOT getting today's transactions ... but rather yesterday's (or, to be more precise, the transactions for the immediately previous bank work day).

The banks/cards/etc, in general, don't get finished posting to accounts until sometime in the wee hours of the mornings... which is why I run OSU at 6:30AM.

At 6:00pm, some bank branches are still open ... so the bank can't post anything from that branch for the current day.

shelquis

Yeah, but I wouldn't get to it until evening anyway, so as long as i do it consistently I end up the same place, i.e a day late. (...and a dollar short?)

shelquis

NotACPA, I should have also said Thanks.

shelquis

Frankx said:

Here's a link to a website that explains how to write such a "program" and then have it start at a specific time LINK.  I haven't tried following these instructions, so it is caveat emptor.

Hey, excellent link @Frankx. I've filed it away for future use, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's what's auto starting Quicken for me every weeknight. I am really perplexed. I can't figure out why Quicken is auto starting, except that I'm sure it's something I did years ago. Memory is a great thing when you have it. Frustrating when you don't. Appreciate your help. Thanks.

shelquis

OK, tonight was the first night that I used Quicken's auto update to update transactions, balances and daily prices at 6:00 PM. Then I have set up a task in Task Scheduler to open Quicken at 6:30PM. That process worked tonight just like I envisioned. I really liked having Quicken open up with the updates already completed, just waiting for me to approve them for addition to the register. One improvement that I would like to make would be to avoid the manual input of the Q Vault password prior to the Scheduled Update. Does anyone have a suggestion for that? It seems like there should be some way to let the Scheduled Update read the Q Vault password without having to put it in every night. Ideas?