nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Quicken Windows on 2 computers

Bioman

I have Quicken on a desktop and laptop, each has its own data file; the data file on the desktop is copied to the laptop when I travel. If I setup mobile and web on the laptop, but not on the desktop, and use the mobile app, will the data sync to the desktop anyway. I really only want it to sync to the laptop in case there are problems with data loss, incorrect entries etc.

Quicken classic premier, R68.31

Thanks

Find more posts tagged with

Accepted answers

Chris_QPW

If the two data files are truly separate, then syncing one to Mobile/Web will not affect the other. Personally, though if I was already taking a laptop I wouldn't risk syncing to Mobile/Web.

If you started one of the data files by using the first data file as a template it will have the same unique Id that is used to identify on the Quicken Cloud server which is what the "syncing" is. But if you either used Quicken's New or Quicken's Copy to create the second data file they will be completely separate.

If you do Help → hold down Ctrl+Shift and select About Quicken it will give you the QCS ID and Data ID. They should be different between the two data files.

Chris_QPW

OK, now that I fully understand your use case, the answer is no you can't have one copy of your data file syncing and not the other. But I think I need to also explain where you might get into trouble even with Sync to Mobile/Web off.

Sync to Mobile/Web sync the "most information" but is far from the "only syncing".

For every data file there is a Quicken Cloud dataset on the server. At a minimum it holds information like your subscription. And can hold other information about other online services. And for anyone using Express Web Connect or Express Web Connect + that extends to at least a partial copy of your transactions.

When you do a One Step Update the data file and the Quicken Cloud dataset are "synced" to get the new transactions from the dataset to your data file.

The overall flow is:

Quicken (the program/data file) ←> Quicken Cloud server/dataset ←> Intuit ←> financial institution

So, say you have done a One Step Update in a copy of your data file, it puts out the request for the new transactions and they flow back through the Quicken Cloud dataset which keeps a copy of them and then back into the Quicken Desktop data file.

The data file and the dataset are now in sync.

If you now bring another copy of the data file that hasn't yet got the new transactions it will still be talking to the same dataset on the server and they will be out of sync. This can cause problems.

As such if you wanting to use the same data file on multiple machines you should be sure that you are always using the latest updated copy. As in you update on machine A, you should copy that data file to machine B before running One Step Update on it. And when going back the other way you copy from machine B to machine A before using Quicken on that machine.

@Bioman ,

Expressing on what @Chris_QPW cautioned to bring the point across: the moment you use your data file on one computer, the best practice is to consider the prior one obsolete and delete it - regardless of the Sync setting.

You brought up concern about mistakes or data loss: make a habit of frequent/daily backups with date/time stamp.

And since you will be transferring the data file back and forth, enabling the Sync (Preferences > Mobile & Web) will not provide any benefit in your case. So keep the Sync setting disabled if Mobile & Web access is not a 'must have'. (some users have experienced data issues with the setting enabled)

Didn't mean to hijack this but sometimes we feel better when a supporting opinion is presented.

All comments

Chris_QPW

If the two data files are truly separate, then syncing one to Mobile/Web will not affect the other. Personally, though if I was already taking a laptop I wouldn't risk syncing to Mobile/Web.

If you do Help → hold down Ctrl+Shift and select About Quicken it will give you the QCS ID and Data ID. They should be different between the two data files.

Bioman

Thank you for the response. The 2 data files are identical since I just use file manager to copy the desktop file to the laptop. So syncing the laptop would end up syncing the desktop as well, I guess. It also seems that if the desktop does not have mobile and web setup, every time I copy the desktop file to the laptop, I would have to re-set up mobile on the laptop.

Chris_QPW

Do you want these two data files to be separated or is it just that you are moving the same data file back on forth to be used on the machine that you have with you at the time?

Bioman

Don't really want the data files to be separate. Mainly just use the file I have on the machine I have with me. The 2 data files have the same QCS ID and Data ID, which is fine. I consider the desktop file as the "source" file. The reason I asked about the Quicken mobile app is to use it as a way of keeping track of any automatic payments like bills, that occur while traveling. I would probably just enter those manually when back home by reviewing the mobile app. The mobile app does not have the best reliability so that is why I would not want it to sync with the desktop.

@Bioman ,

You brought up concern about mistakes or data loss: make a habit of frequent/daily backups with date/time stamp.

Didn't mean to hijack this but sometimes we feel better when a supporting opinion is presented.

Quicken Levetta

Hello@Bioman,

Thank you for reaching out. I agree with @chris_QPW about what he suggested. I also found an article that might be helpful with syncing your accounts. When you sync your Quicken data file to the Quicken Cloud, you'll have access to your accounts from your phone, tablet, or Quicken on the Web. These would be the first steps that you would take:

Open Quicken and go to the Mobile & Web tab. Depending on the sizing of the Quicken window, the Mobile & Web tab may be located in the More tab.

Click Get Started to select the accounts you want to sync to your mobile device.

and to get more steps, refer to this article.

Bioman

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I consider this question resolved. I will not set up Mobile and Web.

Quicken Levetta

You are welcome. Happy to Help.