Subscription and deleting information

Maggie8088

Am not renewing my subscription. Wondering if my information (e.g. cheque register) is automatically deleted once the subscription has ended? Thanks.

If I can do this myself, can someone tell me how?

I did try to find an answer but no luck.

Boatnmaniac

You posted this in a Canada category. Are you using Quicken Classic for Canada? Also, are you using the Windows or Mac program?

A simple answer: If you do not have Sync turned on for Mobile or Web, then your financial data resides solely in the data file on your computer. So, if you want to destroy that data all you need to do is to delete that data file from your computer.

If you do have Sync turned on for Mobile or Web, then some other steps can be taken to ensure the data is deleted from the Cloud Account. Answering the question in my first sentence will help to ensure you get the correct advice on how to do that.

Maggie8088

Sorry I neglected to give you more info. I'm using Quicken Classic for Canada and it's for the Windows desktop. I'm computer illeterate but by sync if you mean I can download my banking account to Quicken then yes it is. But otherwise, I don't believe it is synced.

Arctic Hare

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20479715#Comment_20479715

This is not true, at least not if you use Express Web Connect. Quicken synchronizes your data to its cloud even if Web/Mobile is switched off. You can't access it in the cloud if Web/Mobile is switched OFF, but the data - or at least some of the data - is retained in the cloud. The Web/Mobile switch controls whether the data can be accessed in the cloud, not whether the data is synched to the cloud.

So, the irony is, you'll need to switch Web/Mobile ON so that you can delete the cloud copies of your data that you didn't want in the cloud in the first place.

Boatnmaniac

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20479758#Comment_20479758

Well, that's what I sometimes get for posting things too late at night….I forget to mention things. You are correct, of course, but whether switching Mobilie/Web Sync to ON needs to be done in the existing primary data file or in a different data file depends on how complete the data deletion needs to be.

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20479725#Comment_20479725

By "sync" I do not mean downloading data from the financial institutions. The sync I am referring to is for Mobile/Web. Do you have Mobile/Web Sync turned ON or OFF?: Edit > Preferences > Mobile & Web > Sync = ???

Do you plan to keep your data file and continue using Quicken manually (off-line) after your subscription expires or do you plan to uninstall Quicken and delete your data file?

Also, are you subscribed to Starter or some other Quicken Classic edition?

Maggie8088

Thanks for the help. I turned on the Mobile/Web Sync and it showed 3 backups. I could delete 2 of the older ones but not the current one. But I discovered if I hovered my cursor over the Account name the Delete button popped up and I used that. It deleted all my entries (which is what I originally wanted). Then I went back to the Sync and nothing would show up. So I'm happy with that. Now I just have to go into my own file and delete those entries.

Thanks again for your help. I couldn't have figured it out without your explanations and pointing me in the right direction.

Chris_QPW

If I understand where you are looking, I will have to say that you have not completely deleted the cloud data.

The "Accounts" reported on the Sync preferences are the ones "Sync to Mobile/Web" does.

On the other hand, if you want to delete the "Cloud dataset/account file" which if you used Express Web Connect or Express Web Connect + or any other online servers that might have information stored in it, then you need to be in Edit → Preferences → Quicken ID & Cloud Accounts → "Cloud accounts associated with this Quicken ID (x)" link. Which brings up this dialog:

From here you can delete the "actual Cloud account (dataset)". But note that you can't delete the Cloud dataset/account for the Quicken Desktop data you are currently in. What you have to do is create a temporary/basically empty Quicken Desktop data file, and turn on Sync in that data file, and then go to this dialog and delete the Cloud account/dataset for the original data file.

Maggie8088

Well I was close! I've got it now. Thanks again for your help!

JosefW

@Arctic Hare @Chris_QPW @Maggie8088 @Boatnmaniac

This great question and the illuminating answers are much appreciated.

Out of curiosity, and in the interest of data privacy I checked the "Edit → Preferences → Quicken ID & Cloud Accounts" to see what was listed. All it had was my profile. I have never used "Express Web Connect", so Arctic Hare's suggestion that a "Cloud dataset/account file" does not get created unless using "Express Web Connect", seems to be true.

Boatnmaniac's question was also interesting - "Do you plan to keep your data file and continue using Quicken manually (off-line) after your subscription expires or do you plan to uninstall Quicken and delete your data file?"

While this question wasn't answered, it reminds me of the dilemma that many long time users faced back around 2017 when Quicken went from a one time software purchase to a subscription only model. Many users were unhappy about this new escalating and recurring cost and wondered if they could just keep using the program without access to software updates or current index based asset quotes. The answer then was yes, since the data resided primarily on the user's computer, they could still utilize the program and have access to their data, but all new entries and stock quotes would have to be done manually. For those looking to cut expenses wherever they can, I wonder if this is still the case?

Thanks again all for your insightful contributions.

JosefW

Here is the text from the latest info on Quicken membership and subscriptions - https://www.quicken.com/support/quicken-subscription-membership-faqs/

"What happens when my Quicken membership expires? The Quicken Data Access Guarantee means that whether you renew your subscription or not, you'll always have full access to and ownership of your data. You can view, edit, export, and manually enter transactions and accounts for Deluxe and higher versions, even after your subscription ends. Access to online services, such as transaction download, quotes, and mobile sync, along with access to Quicken Support, will end if your subscription does. We’ll continue to let you know about product changes and enhancements within the Quicken product. You will also see expiration messages within the program (for examples, see How will I know if I need to renew my subscription membership? below)."

A related question regarding expired subscriptions came up back around 2020.

It seems for some, reconciling accounts after the subscription had expired was a problem unless all "Online Services" for each account in the "Account List" had been deactivated and the "Reconcile using online balance" setting on the bottom right had been unchecked prior to the subscription expiring.

I don't know if that's still the case.

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7876563/unable-to-reconcile-after-quicken-membership-expired

Chris_QPW

you are basically asking the opposite question that’s this thread addresses addresses. This thread is about how to try to get rid of any information that Quicken Inc and others might have. Whereas your question is more about how can I continue working in my local data file when the subscription has lapsed.

Furthermore you’re wondering if you could get into the same situation that the people in 2014 through 2017 find themselves in. For those versions far less was stored in the quicken cloud. So the problem really had nothing to do with the quicken cloud it had to do with is the fact install you had to register, and doing so in those required quicken contacting the server and you logging in. Overtime quicken inc changed how the server worked and it would no longer allow logging in for the old versions. Some people were were able to use the fact you copied the quicken INI would think you’re already registered and therefore to login with your quicken ID.

so how does this compare to quicken? Well, on the score of logging in to the server to register to install I see nothing that’s changed so if the server cannot be used for any reason in the would be in the same boat. On top of that is clear that quicken subscription is doing additional to make sure you’re not using a version that later than the one you were on when the subscription expired. Which has a potential of causing more problems for one that’s trying to maintain an expired subscription.

bottom line any data guarantee is only as good as long as quicken Inc. exists. And of course, that they keep their promise while they still exist and make sure that that server still allows you to register and install quicken.

I will about the privacy part as in removing data. If that is a concern to you, you better do it before you let your subscription expire. Because you’re not gonna be able to do it through expired. Because it’s gonna block you from contacting the servers. I guess you could contact quicken support and they could do it for you. By the way, other than the process that was described above, asking quicken support to do it for you might actually be the best way.