Cleaning up for the move to a new computer - Starting over

drdively

I have been using Quicken for a long time. There are a lot of little annoyances, etc. Some my own fault, not keeping things cleaner along the way. I am getting ready to migrate to a new desktop. I'd like to clean up as much as possible. For instance, clean up categories, etc. Set things up better as far as classification of downloaded charges to credit card, etc. Perhaps the bigger question is whether to somehow start over, or try to clean up. I am not so much concerned as far as having history in my data file [though I do have old data files saved].

Also, and I don't want to get off on this and miss what I just explained. But it might be related. As far as keeping things clean, is subscribing/doing things online and different/better than the program on the desktop.

I know, rather broad and a bit nebulous..sorry.

I had thought of creating a 2025 data file, and doing all the clean up in there. While continuing to use the current file through the end of the year.

Then set up online access, balances, etc in the new data file after January 1.

Could be overthinking, I'm known to do that. Couldn't find a better category.

splasher

Also, and I don't want to get off on this and miss what I just explained. But it might be related. As far as keeping things clean, is subscribing/doing things online and different/better than the program on the desktop.

You have a misconception of subscription Quicken. The subscription is a year-to-year license to use Quicken Classic (desktop). There are companion apps for mobile devices and a web interface that will work with the data that is in the desktop app with Quicken keeping "some" of your data in the Quicken Cloud Account (mirrored from the desktop file) so that you can view and modify your data on the go.

Subscription does have some restrictions. If you use Starter Edition and the subscription expires, the program goes into READ-ONLY mode. The other editions lose some of their screen space to a banner and a panel telling you it is expired and urging you to re-new and you lose ALL online features such as downloading transactions and use of QMobile/QWeb.

If you are used to doing things manually (no downloads), I'd stick with your current version if it is 2013 or prior. 2014-2017 can not be installed on a different computer easily since the registration servers required to register the software no longer exist.

Quicken Anja

Hello @drdively,

While there is no right or wrong answer to what you're asking, I'd say that cleaning up vs starting over will come down to your own personal preference.

Cleaning up may take more or less work depending on how much you want to change, and starting over you can either create categories, payee names, and other customizations as you go or you can set it all up before you begin setting up accounts and online connectivity. If you decide to start over, you can always store the old data file and go back to it if you ever need to.

However, some things to keep in mind when starting a new file from scratch, and keeping the old data separated is that you will not be able to do a comparison report from previous years if that is something you ever needed to do. Also, if you use the budget feature, you won't be able to create a budget using budget history from previous years. One benefit of starting a new file is that the file size will be smaller and likely run smoother if your old file is already very large and has a lot of history in it.

Hope this helps!