Cannot create new file in (windows) Quicken 2016 Home & Business R19.5

ELK

I am able to work with all of my existing files, but when I try to create a new file, all I get is message that my connected services have expired. I do not use any connected or online banking services; all I want to do is create a new empty file and manually enter my data.

My software is registered and I have a valid Quicken ID.

Please advise how I can create a new Quicken file?

Thank you.

CaliQkn

@ELK one thing to verify is that the version you are using (R19.5) is not after your expiration date.

https://www.quicken.com/support/reinstalling-and-patching-your-quicken-subscription-version-after-your-membership-has/

ELK

Thanks, but it's not a subscription version; there is nothing to expire.

CaliQkn

@ELK Quicken 2016 expired on April 30, 2019. Please see the attached Quicken Support article -

https://www.quicken.com/support/quicken-discontinuation-policy/

The per the other Quicken Support article I provided, the last version update available prior to that date is R18.6.

ELK

Hi, and thanks again. Yes, I've seen that page, and I understand what it says. It includes a reference to my version of Quicken 2016, and lists it as non-sunscription, discontinued and no longer receiving official support from Quicken.

To clarify, I'll repeat my original issue/complaint. I still can work with any of my existing Quicken files. However, when I try to create a new Quicken file, this popup appears:

I do not use, nor do I want to use, any Quicken Connected Services. I don't care if I can no longer do any of the tasks that the popup lists. I just want to create a new Quicken data file. My PURCHASED SOFTWARE has not expired, just the Connected Services which I never use. Does this make sense?

Additional observation: apparently a new QDF actually is created with the name I choose, but it cannot be opened and is unusable.

CaliQkn

@ELK try reverting back to version R18.6.

Also, there is another way you can create a new data file. Make a copy (through Quicken's file copy process) and then delete the information to create a new empty data file. Or, if that doesn't work then just make a copy through Windows.

Boatnmaniac

It seems like you might have run into the issue that many have reported with QWin 2014-2017. For most of those people reporting this issue they have entirely lost the ability to access and use QWin. But some have reported that it only affects their ability to create new data files.

While your QWin 2016 is not set up to use online services it still does communicate with Quicken.com for some basic things like validation that your installation has a valid license, etc. The issue is that about 2-3 yrs ago Quicken made some change in their system that is not compatible with pre-Subscription software initialization. And since these pre-Subscription versions are no longer supported Quicken has no obligation to provide support for them nor fix this issue.

There is a good summary about this issue along with a couple of things that might possibly work at https://www.quicknperlwiz.com/blanklogin2014-2017.html . Also, here are a few Community post threads on this subject:

• Re-installing Quicken 2017
• Quicken 2015: installed on another computer, have .ini file and data file, installed Mondo Patch17.4
• Quicken 2017 on my new computer

If the actions mentioned in this website and these Community post threads do not resolve the issue for you, then your only option, if you want/need to set up a new data file, might be to order and install Quicken Classic Subscription for Business & Personal (the new name given to Home & Business).

One other option would be to downgrade to QWin 2013 Deluxe but you would no longer have the Home & Business features and likely would not be able to import the Home & Business-unique data into Deluxe. But if that is something that might be appealing to you there is information provided in the links I posted here on how to do that.

ELK

Hi and thanks to both of you. I had in fact already visited the quicknperlwiz site.

Given all the reported problems even installing/activating the older software, I am very reluctant to uninstall and reinstall. What's most important is that I can continue to use my existing files. Yes, there are the kludgy workarounds to create a new file, but the "new" files created by cleaning out an existing file will never be as clean or compact as starting with a completely empty QDF.

I'm an old-school QIF import and export user, and I know that still works in my existing installation. Does anybody know if QXF import from a local file still works?

CaliQkn

@ELK You can try a QXF file, but you would still need a new data file to import the file into. It is also "All or Nothing". You cannot choose accounts or what type of data to transfer over.

mshiggins

@ELK you can create a Quicken Copy and select future copy dates. That will copy accounts and categories, but no transactions.

UKR

@ELK ,
have you tried taking your computer completely offline (WiFi disabled in Control Panel, Ethernet cable unplugged) before starting Quicken and trying to create a new data file?

Might be worth a shot … who knows …

If you can create a new file, also see if you can access the new file after reconnecting the computer to the network and restarting Quicken

ELK

Yep, that was one of the first things I tried. No joy. 😑

UKR

😒 Sorry. That seems to be one of the "no longer supported" reasons.