So, I must be missing something
New laptop.
Install Quicken.
Turned off new user
Restore backup, but nothing.
Can you give us a little more than "nothing", please? What happens when you try to start Quicken? As an alternative, have you located the restored Quicken data file in Windows File Explorer and double-clicked it to start Quicken?
Copy your existing Quicken QDF data file from wherever you are currently using Quicken for Windows - onto USB flash, or cloud service or ?? whatever so you can copy it back onto the new laptop
Log into the Quicken online website - with your Quicken email User ID / password - Scroll around and find how to Download your Quicken for Windows. Download and install Quicken for Windows. ….. Sorry - Don't recall the exact sequence of events - …. but you will need to - Log into your new Quicken with your existing Quicken email User ID Copy your existing Quicken QDF file onto your new laptop - probably into the new /Documents/Quicken/ folder - Be aware there are Quicken issues if running Win11 and your /Documents/ folder has been migrated to /OneDrive/