Opening Quicken data file on different computer breaks all update authorizations? [Edited]

BeLikeWater

I had a question about how Quicken would handle deleting an account, but didn't want to make the change in my main Quicken file.

So I copied the Quicken file to a completely different computer, opened it there, deleted the account, saw what I wanted to see, closed Quicken, deleted the data file on that computer. I did not do any online updates. I did not ask it to download anything. I deleted the file!

I go back to my primary computer, the next time I do the online update, all my online accounts fail and won't download - there is a message:

"It appears one or more account(s) at American Express have been deleted. This could happen if you have restored from a backup file. You must add the account(s) to Quicken again."

Similar error for every account. I have a lot of accounts.

I did not restore from a backup file. This is the main file I've been using for years!

I have to re-authorize them by going into each account, resetting the account, signing into the bank's website, and saying I approve.

WHY DID OPENING A FILE ON A DIFFERENT COMPUTER BREAK ALL MY AUTHORIZATIONS?!?!?

Some banks, like Chase, show me the checkboxes for my accounts as already selected, from the last time I had to re-authorize. Why can't Quicken just reset and talk to the bank's servers without me having to log in again?

This is so frustrating.

splasher

Do you QMobile/QWeb setup for syncing to the Quicken Cloud?

Working with a 100% Windows copy of your data file on the second computer would have caused changes in the Quicken Cloud and then tried to sync them back to the original data file on the original computer could and will cause the issues that you are describing.

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @BeLikeWater,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I understand how frustrating it must be to encounter these issues after taking what seemed like a cautious approach.

As @splasher stated, when you opened your Quicken data file on a different computer, even without performing any online updates, it likely triggered a synchronization process with the Quicken Cloud. This synchronization can inadvertently affect the authorization tokens associated with your online accounts.

To minimize such disruptions in the future, consider the following best practices:

• Avoid Opening the Same Data File on Multiple Computers: If you need to use Quicken on another device, it's advisable to create a backup of your data file and restore it on the other computer, rather than directly opening the original file.
• Disable Cloud Sync if Not in Use: If you're not utilizing Quicken's mobile or web features, ensure that the cloud sync option is turned off to prevent unintended synchronizations.

We recognize the inconvenience this has caused and are continually working to improve the user experience. Your feedback is valuable, and we appreciate your patience as we address these concerns.

BeLikeWater

I do not know what "Cloud Sync" is specifically. I don't see that term in Quicken or the settings.

I have Mobile & Web sync turned OFF.

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This is [Removed - Language] behavior.

I should be able to use the same Quicken file on different computers without everything breaking, or without having to re-authorize with every single financial institution.

I used to be able to do that, I just haven't done it in a while, so didn't realize so much breaks now.

If I always copy the most recently opened file back to the primary computer (rather than opening an older version), is that ok, or will that cause all my authorizations to break? I'm afraid to try it, I have 16 different financial institutions set up, it was a major [Removed - Language] to re-authorize them yesterday.

It's worth mentioning - I am NOT using dropbox or any other file sharing program, I copy the files using scp, while Quicken is not running, and would only be using Quicken on one computer at a time.

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @BeLikeWater,

I hear your frustrations and I am sorry that this issue has occurred. Thank you for confirming that you have Mobile & Web Sync turned off.

m.kassenbrock57

I think something else might be going on. For years, I've used my Quicken file on my desktop computer and, when I travel, on my laptop. I use the exact same file via OneDrive, and have been doing a cloud sync every time I back up the file, which is every time I add anything to the data file. This "It appears one or more account(s) at ________ have been deleted…" problem, which is annoying as hell, didn't start happening until May of this year. I think this is a program problem and not a user created problem.

BeLikeWater

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20493151#Comment_20493151

So… is there going to be a bug fix? Is it filed as a bug for the dev team to look at? Are you acknowledging that it shouldn't be working this way?

I appreciate the consoling comments, you're well trained in deescalation, but what's going to happen? Is anything going to happen, other than me being frustrated?

m.kassenbrock57

This seems to be a software glitch, perhaps associated with a program update. A fix is going to have to happen through Quicken, but I was able to find a work-around that enables me to resume working with One Step Update and the same Quicken data file on more than one computer without getting the "It appears one or more account(s) at ________ have been deleted…" message and losing the ability to connect with my financial institutions via One Step Update. I generally insist on "fixes" and dislike "work-arounds," but I don't use the mobile app and, therefore, have no need to have my Quicken data in the cloud, so this worked to my satisfaction:

In Quicken desktop:

1. Turn off Mobile & Web Sync - 

Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Mobile & Web and toggle the sync option to OFF. This will stop the syncing of your financial data to the cloud but won't delete data already stored there.

Deselect "Sync to Quicken Cloud" in One Step Update: Go to Tools > One Step Update and uncheck the box next to "Sync to Quicken Cloud".

2. To delete data from Quicken on the Web -

Create a temporary new data file: Create a new Quicken file with a unique name (e.g., TEST) and enable Mobile & Web sync.

Access Cloud accounts associated with your Quicken ID: Go to Edit > Preferences > Quicken ID & Cloud Accounts > Cloud accounts associated with this ID.

Delete the unwanted Cloud Account: Select the cloud account you wish to delete and click the minus sign (-) button.

Switch back to your original data file: Open your main Quicken file.

Confirm data removal from Quicken on the Web: Log into the Quicken on the Web companion app at app.Quicken.com to verify the data is no longer visible.

Like I said, this worked for me. I am now able to again work with the same data file on both my desktop and laptop computers without Quicken's Cloud Sync feature obliterating my financial institution sign-in and transaction data. I do wish Quicken would have addressed this problem instead of me having to poke around the internet to find a solution on my own.

m.kassenbrock57

This is definitely a software defect, as the problem returned after only a few hours of normalcy. I'm going to call the support line and see if they are more helpful. I've been a quicken user since the 1990's, using the program on my desktop and laptop, largely without issues until now.

m.kassenbrock57

Okay, this has gone from very annoying to infuriating. I have used Quicken since the 1990's and have used it on both my desktop and laptop for just as long. This situation never occurred until May of this year, when we traveled and I used the laptop for several weeks and then had to “reauthorize” all my accounts in order to use the desktop on our return. I disabled cloud sync, but every time I switch computers now, I get the “CC-800 ... It appears one or more account(s) at _____ have been deleted ...” message for all of my accounts and have to repeatedly reauthorize the accounts. I spoke with someone at Quicken support this morning and was told Quicken will no longer work on multiple computers while using the same data file via OneDrive. Instead, I need to maintain the data file on the C drive and then restore a backup of that file on the second computer. Well, that turned out to be [Removed - Profanity] I could “restore” the data file to the second computer, but that rendered the data file unusable on the first computer until I reauthorized the data file on that computer. If, as you say, Quicken is “continually working to improve the user experience,” it would fix the problem it has created instead of telling users to employ work-arounds that do not actually work.

Chris_QPW

I played around with trying to update the same data file from two different machines and I was able to reproduce this problem, which BTW hits all accounts when it happens. Given the widespread CC-800 that have recently been reported it is clear that this is all related.

Something has been changed to make this system even more fragile.