Huge data download on startup?

JBL in AZ

Every time I start Quicken my computer downloads at least 45MB, maybe more.. I don't know why. (My QDF file is about 65MB, which is a separate problem.) I don't have Quicken backup; I keep all backups on my own separate disk partition, so what is the problem that requires Quicken to get all that data? This happens every time. And as you can see, my network bandwidth isn't all that huge; so what's going on?

(Windows 10, Quicken R63.21, but it's been going on for weeks if not months (startup has always been slow, but I started paying attention only lately, so I believe months).

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @JBL in AZ,

Thanks for reaching out!

What you're seeing with the ~45MB download each time Quicken starts is likely related to background activity tied to connected services. A few possibilities:

1. Quicken Cloud sync — Even if you’re not backing up to the cloud, Quicken might still be syncing with the Quicken Cloud dataset, especially if mobile or web sync is enabled. To test this, go to Edit > Preferences > Mobile & Web, and turn sync off. Then restart Quicken and check network activity again.
2. Connected services updates — Quicken checks for things like stock prices, exchange rates, online biller updates, and sometimes ad-related content, even before any accounts are updated manually.
3. Script and connection file updates — If you use Express Web Connect, Quicken downloads updated connection scripts from Intuit servers at startup. That can explain repeated background downloads.

This activity isn’t the same as downloading your data file or backups, but rather Quicken preparing to support your online services and connections.

If you want to confirm this, you could temporarily disconnect from the internet before launching Quicken. If the startup delay or bandwidth usage disappears, it’s almost certainly one of those cloud or service-related processes.

Let me know what happens after disabling sync and testing without a connection!

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @JBL in AZ,

Thanks for reaching out!

What you're seeing with the ~45MB download each time Quicken starts is likely related to background activity tied to connected services. A few possibilities:

1. Quicken Cloud sync — Even if you’re not backing up to the cloud, Quicken might still be syncing with the Quicken Cloud dataset, especially if mobile or web sync is enabled. To test this, go to Edit > Preferences > Mobile & Web, and turn sync off. Then restart Quicken and check network activity again.
2. Connected services updates — Quicken checks for things like stock prices, exchange rates, online biller updates, and sometimes ad-related content, even before any accounts are updated manually.
3. Script and connection file updates — If you use Express Web Connect, Quicken downloads updated connection scripts from Intuit servers at startup. That can explain repeated background downloads.

This activity isn’t the same as downloading your data file or backups, but rather Quicken preparing to support your online services and connections.

If you want to confirm this, you could temporarily disconnect from the internet before launching Quicken. If the startup delay or bandwidth usage disappears, it’s almost certainly one of those cloud or service-related processes.

Let me know what happens after disabling sync and testing without a connection!

JBL in AZ

Quicken Cloud Sync is off. (I turned it on shortly after mobile Quicken became available, hated it, and turned it off, which it has been ever since.)

I turned off my router and started Quicken up again, and as you predicted, it started right up. After I turned my network back on, Quicken continued to run without asking for a big download (this time). So I believe my question is answered.

Now: whom do I address with regard to the horrible behavior of EWC and EWC+ for the last two+ months?