Converting from windows to mac

kosbab22 · January 2020

Currently have Quicken Deluxe 2013 and now want to convert all over to my new imac. How do I upgrade without buying an upgrade in both windows version and mac version? I'm ok with buying one upgrade but now both.

John_in_NC · January 2020

It's a pretty simple affair.

You will have to purchase a subscription to Quicken. This will provide you access to both the Windows and Mac (latest) versions even though you won't need the former.

After installing QMac on you Mac, move the QWin data file over to your new machine, and use the prompts to convert from Quicken from Windows. Follow the subsequent instructions, and you should be good to go.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6031128/uploads/editor/wu/ot06y8obcn3l.png

smayer97 · January 2020

PKGuy323 said:

... I even use my file in OneDrive so I can access QWIN from my Mac or WinPC as well as back it up.
...

Thanks for sharing. Though a little off topic, one point you make needs to be addressed. It is ill advised to actively work on your live Quicken data file directly from a cloud-based storage location.

There are at least 2 problems that can arise. 1) Some cloud services put hidden locks on the individual files in the Quicken file. These are called Access-Control List (ACL) permissions. 2) The file could be corrupted by the database being updated by a cloud service from one computer while the file was open on another.

Though QMac has added a warning mechanism for this type of usage, this is not the case in QWin. And though this can alert the user if a file is opened by another location (not by direct detection but rather a proxy mechanism) it is not intended as a foolproof way to prevent file corruption. Acknowledged and admitted by Quicken, there can be other factors outside Quicken's control that can also lead to unrecoverable file corruption in this set-up. And sometimes these issues do not appear soon enough and propagate even into backup files, so those files may not be used as a fallback.

So, this is still not a recommended approach. Use at your own risk.

John_in_NC · January 2020

It's a pretty simple affair.

You will have to purchase a subscription to Quicken. This will provide you access to both the Windows and Mac (latest) versions even though you won't need the former.

After installing QMac on you Mac, move the QWin data file over to your new machine, and use the prompts to convert from Quicken from Windows. Follow the subsequent instructions, and you should be good to go.

smayer97 · January 2020

A new subscription gives you access to both QWin and QMac for one price.

If you decide to migrate your data, you do need to convert. Since your data is from QW2010 or newer, the mechanics are quite simple...copy data file over to Mac. Open data file with QMac. The built-in conversion process will step you through but there are a few things you need to know; here is the entire process:

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7259795/faq-converting-from-quicken-for-windows-including-any-version-qw2010-to-quicken-for-mac
In your case, you can skip steps 1 and 2 but review all the prep and background info before:
https://www.quicken.com/support/things-do-converting-your-data-quicken-mac-2016

I also suggest that you make sure that Quicken for Mac subscription will meet your needs, since it was re-written from the ground up (first with Quicken Essentials in 2010, then again with QM2015 onward) and is not the same product as the Windows version, so there are some features that are still not there e.g. full loan amortization*, 2-line display, QuickMath, or are not as fully developed yet, e.g. Customized Reports, some investment performance reports and stats (therefore some data may not carry over). You can start here:
http://www.quicken.com/mac/compare
https://www.quicken.com/whats-new-quicken
https://www.quicken.com/mac/upgrader-compare

*NOTE: Support for fixed rate loans has been released as of QM2017 v4.5.x but there is no announced timing for support for variable rate or simple daily interest loans.

You may want to review the List of Obstacles and Hindrances for Migrating from QM2007 or QWin to Quicken for Mac. Add your vote to any features that are missing for you. Your VOTES matter!

Be aware of data that will and will not carry forward:
https://www.quicken.com/support/what-data-gets-carried-over
(A couple more things to note: historical currency rates are not migrated AND currency conversions of transactions are not migrated).

Then look at the updates since the original release here:
https://www.quicken.com/support/20182019-release-quicken-mac-subscription-product-release-notes
You will also want to look at a more detailed comparison done by a SuperUser which also identifies nuances not mentioned elsewhere (and read on for comments from other users too on that same discussion thread):
https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/17308705#Comment_17308705
Take a look at the following videos to give you a better idea:
https://www.youtube.com/user/QuickenMac

Note that there are many differences that are rather subtle, that are not necessarily identifiable via documentation, for example, the 12-month budget feature does not allow including transfers, including investment income, selecting specific accounts, or have rollover capability.

If you find that QMac subscription does not meet your needs, the alternative is to run Quicken for Windows in a virtual machine on your Mac. There are 5 popular products you can use: Parallels, VMWare Fusion, Oracle VirtualBox, Bootcamp or CrossOver. The first 4 require you to also buy a copy of Windows. The first 2 cost $50-80, the third and forth are free. CrossOver also costs about $50-$80 but does NOT require you to buy Windows.

If you plan to keep your PC & Mac, you could also run Quicken on the PC and use remote access (several free options, e.g. NoMachine and Teamviewer) to access Quicken from your Mac (or even a tablet or phone) (see this great article for complete review of many options (most are free): http://machow2.com/rdp-for-mac/ ).

smayer97 · January 2020

PKGuy323 said:

... I even use my file in OneDrive so I can access QWIN from my Mac or WinPC as well as back it up.
...

Thanks for sharing. Though a little off topic, one point you make needs to be addressed. It is ill advised to actively work on your live Quicken data file directly from a cloud-based storage location.

There are at least 2 problems that can arise. 1) Some cloud services put hidden locks on the individual files in the Quicken file. These are called Access-Control List (ACL) permissions. 2) The file could be corrupted by the database being updated by a cloud service from one computer while the file was open on another.

Though QMac has added a warning mechanism for this type of usage, this is not the case in QWin. And though this can alert the user if a file is opened by another location (not by direct detection but rather a proxy mechanism) it is not intended as a foolproof way to prevent file corruption. Acknowledged and admitted by Quicken, there can be other factors outside Quicken's control that can also lead to unrecoverable file corruption in this set-up. And sometimes these issues do not appear soon enough and propagate even into backup files, so those files may not be used as a fallback.

So, this is still not a recommended approach. Use at your own risk.

Converting from windows to mac

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