so many quicken files

DonnaYam

I have been using Quicken for many years and now have the subscription version of Quicken Deluxe, version R48.9, running on Windows 10. There are SO many Quicken files on my computer - even after deleting many of the backup data files. Is it possible to delete every Quicken file on my computer (except for a backup) and reinstall Quicken? Seems like it would be easier then trying to figure out what all of the files represent. Thoughts?

Ps56k2

if you have a recent version of Quicken - then all your data is in that single QDF file -
UNLESS you also have a variety of really older QDF files with their associated "family" of files… IDX QEL QPH

All the other DAT files are log files from online operations….
and can be deleted - they will be recreated as needed.

Rocket J Squirrel

You don't need the .DAT files, @DonnaYam. I generate many of them due to testing, and periodically delete them in bulk.

MontanaKarl

There is no reason to reinstall Quicken if all you want to do is purge data files.

If you have ever used the year end copy procedure or the copy options to reduce your file's data date range to just more recent transactions (not recommended by any of the experts by the way) - then those othe files on your computer could be critical as being your only record of older transactions. Certainly you'll want your file to go back at least 7 years for tax purposes, etc.

If your active file has everything you need, then you can probably safely delete all of the other files that you find. But, thumb drives and other external storage is cheap. So, if you want to play it safe, copy them all to a thumb drive before deleting them.

DonnaYam

I like the idea of putting everything on external storage first. So… all I potentially need to keep on my hard drive, beside the program files, is the most recent backup? The one named xxxdate.QDF? What about all of the DAT files?

NotACPA

@DonnaYam What is the EXTENSION of those file names? That's a major determinant of whether they can be deleted.

DonnaYam

the files are .DAT.

Examples - Qyam2022_SyncLog.dat, and another ending OFXLOG.DAT

Ps56k2

if you have a recent version of Quicken - then all your data is in that single QDF file -
UNLESS you also have a variety of really older QDF files with their associated "family" of files… IDX QEL QPH

All the other DAT files are log files from online operations….
and can be deleted - they will be recreated as needed.

DonnaYam

Thanks! I will transfer all the files to external storage except for the .QDF file - and cross my fingers.😉

Rocket J Squirrel

You don't need the .DAT files, @DonnaYam. I generate many of them due to testing, and periodically delete them in bulk.