I recommend you review your backup settings in Quicken to ensure that you create a backup every single time you close Quicken. That minimizes the number of lost changes since the last backup, should you have to restore your data file again.
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 by default 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 to prove it!
CJ101 said: I had questions regarding the automatic and manual backups.
CJ101 said: I meant to tell you what path I am currently using. I am wondering if that is correct: c:\Users\my name\Documents\Quicken\BACKUP\(then I have the file name, date, & time)
To do a manual backup go to FILE - Backup and Restore - Backup or do Ctrl+B. Or I put a backup icon on my toolbar.How to Backup or Restore Quicken Data Files…….
https://www.quicken.com/support/how-backup-or-restore-your-quicken-data
All Quicken versions prior to QW2010 store your data in a series of files all sharing the same filename but with different extensions like - .QDF, .IDX, .QEL, .QPH and all 4 of those files were rolled into a single-file .QDF starting in 2010.
