Can't open file - really frustrated

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AZJeff
AZJeff Member ✭
edited March 2023 in Errors and Troubleshooting (Windows)
In January, Quicken stopped opening my file. Windows would hang with a "not responding message". I tried multiple backups, reverting to a previous version, installing from scratch, installing on a different PC, but nothing worked. Quicken support was not helpful. So, I created a new file starting from January 1st. Now that file won't open. And again, Quicken support is not helpful. I have no assurance that starting a third file won't result in the same issue. Does anyone have any ideas?

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  • Quicken Jasmine
    Quicken Jasmine Moderator mod
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    Hello @AZJeff, 

    I have sent you a direct message, please navigate to the inbox in the top right-hand corner of the Community page and check your inbox.


    Thanks!

    -Quicken Jasmine

    Make sure to sign up for the email digest to see a round-up of your top posts.

  • mshiggins
    mshiggins SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Is the data file size getting larger and larger while Quicken is hanging?

    Quicken user since Q1999. Currently using QW2017.
    Questions? Check out the Quicken Windows FAQ list

  • AZJeff
    AZJeff Member ✭
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    No, after running for over 5 minutes the file size and time stamp remains the same.
  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Quicken crashes, hangs or loops at startup?

    Please try this:

    • Reboot Windows.
    • Close Quicken (or do not start it at all).
    • Use Windows File Explorer to locate and rename your current Quicken data file. For example, if it's called Qdata.QDF rename it to QdataX.QDF
      Usually your file is located in your C:\Users\_your_username_\Documents\Quicken folder.
    • Having done that start Quicken as usual from the Start Menu or Desktop Quicken icon.
      If Quicken cannot find your current data file during startup it should just simply load the program and give you either a nearly blank menu screen or one that has options to start as new user, restore from backup, etc.
    • If you get to this point without Quicken crashing
      • click on File in the Menu bar. Select the Validate function. Select the renamed Quicken data file and see if Quicken can access and repair it.
      • If the data file is beyond repair, try to restore your data file from the most recent Manual or Automatic backup. Go back to restoring successively older backups until you find a file that works
        https://www.quicken.com/support/how-backup-or-restore-your-quicken-data
  • AZJeff
    AZJeff Member ✭
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    Yes, Quicken starts just fine with a blank file. But when I try to validate my file, it hangs with a Windows not responding message. This is exactly what happened to me with my old file in January. After starting a new file, the same thing has happened. In both cases, it was right after an update was applied.
  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What's the location of your Quicken data file? The default location is \Documents\Quicken.
    Do you use MS OneDrive (or any other cloud backup program) to backup your Windows files? If you do, check that OneDrive does NOT access your data file while Quicken is running.
    Note that OneDrive might be active by default, even without you having configured it ...
  • AZJeff
    AZJeff Member ✭
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    Yes, I use OneDrive. However, I copied the file to a non OneDrive folder and it still wouldn't open.
  • chinoxloco
    chinoxloco Unconfirmed, Member ✭
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    Hi AZJeff. I just had the exact same issue as you. I followed all of the steps on this thread and had the same results as you (the only exception is that I do not use OneDrive.

    After a lot of attempts to get my main file read, I did a "Super Validate" and that did the trick. I was able to get my file back.

    To Super Validate your file, first hold down the CTRL+SHIFT keys, and then choose File menu > File Operations > Validate and Repair.

    I hope this helps.
  • AZJeff
    AZJeff Member ✭
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    chinoxloco, thanks for the suggestion. I did not work for me, but I'm glad that it did for you. After a 2 hour call with Quicken support, they could not solve the problem. I guess my 30 years as a Quicken customer has come to an end.
  • Ps56k2
    Ps56k2 SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    AZJeff said:   thanks for the suggestion. It did not work for me… 
    What about any Quicken backups ? 

    QWin - R54.16 - Win10

  • Ps56k2
    Ps56k2 SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    AZJeff said:   In both cases, it was right after an update was applied.
    What version ... Help --< About Quicken
    If you want Quicken to NOT perform those auto software updates - then you need to modify the Windows UAC settings.
    Then, you could install a back level version - like R44.28 -
    and NOT have Quicken be auto-updated, and maybe your problem would be fixed.

    QWin - R54.16 - Win10

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