Changes to File Backup Menu in R34.13 - not a fan!

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Joseph Witkin
Joseph Witkin Member ✭✭✭✭
edited June 2022 in File Conversion and Backup (Windows)
I have the Backup icon in my Toolbar, and back up my file manually every time I open it. In the last update, there is now an extra screen injected into the flow, offering the option of creating a year-end archive (how often do we do that - maybe once a year?) or a copy with other data choices. Those options were always available under File Operations - putting an extra click in the daily workflow not a good choice. I can use Command-B to skip the extra step, but after so many years of using the shortcut icon, that isn't coming fast to me.
I can survive with it - just giving my feedback as a long time user.
Qin 10, Q Windows HB

Answers

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭
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    Note there was another change in the flow.  "File Operations" doesn't exist any more.

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  • Joseph Witkin
    Joseph Witkin Member ✭✭✭✭
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    "Copy or Backup File" basically replaces "File Operations" - that's where the extra dialogue should come up, not via the shortcut. I guess many folks rely on automatic backup and do manual backup less frequently than I do - but I can't imagine anyone needing to choose between "year end backup" and "back up my data file" every single time... Just my opinion...
  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭
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    I agree with you that the shortcut should go straight to the backup.  I was just pointing out the change in the menus for "future reference".
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  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Instead of manually issuing a File / Backup command every time, how about setting up Quicken to do this for you, automatically, every time you close Quicken.

    How to properly set up Quicken Backup
    How to make Quicken create a backup for you automatically every time you close Quicken
    What Quicken backups are available where?

    For the sake of this discussion it is assumed that your Quicken data file is located in the Default (and recommended) place: C:\Users\username\Documents\Quicken

    Review the backup settings available in Quicken (under Edit / Preferences / Backup).

    In there you will find two types of backup: Automatic and Manual Backup.

    Automatic Backup should be enabled and, by default, goes to a \Backup folder that's part of the folder which contains your current Quicken data file, e.g. \Documents\Quicken\Backup. Set it to create a backup after running Quicken [1] times and to keep [9] (or more, your choice) backup copies.
    The file name for Automatic Backup files contains a date and time stamp as part of the file name, e.g. QDATA-2020-03-22.PM03.45.QDF-backup

    To create a Manual Backup copy of your Quicken data file on an external device (USB-hard drive or USB memory stick recommended), put a checkmark at "Manual Backup Reminder" to enable the function and set "Remind me after running Quicken [xx] times" to [1].

    Click OK to save the changes.

    From now on, when you close Quicken using the red X button, you will get a popup window.

    When you get this window for the first time, on some versions click the radio button for "Backup on my computer".
    Change the Backup File name's drive letter and path to point to your external device so that it looks something like this: E:\Quicken Backup\QDATA-2019-04-01.QDF-backup
    or use the Change button and work your way through the dialog.

    Do not change the filename portion! Just overtype the drive letter and choose a backup folder name. If the folder does not exist, it will be created.

    Also choose the option to "Add date to backup file name".

    Every day when you run Backup or close Quicken, an additional backup file is created. Without the Add Date option you only have 1 backup copy which is overwritten every day ... and that may prove bad in a problem recovery situation.

    Allow this backup to run to save the changes made on the screen.

    Of course, once in a while you will have to go in and delete some of the oldest backup files, at your discretion, to avoid filling up your USB device.

    One can never have enough backups of a Quicken data file. BTDTGTS!



  • Joseph Witkin
    Joseph Witkin Member ✭✭✭✭
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    Well, close... and thanks for your time putting in the suggestion! My manual backups (as I have done them for many years) add the date, and so overwrite prior backups of the same day - I wind up with one backup per date. I thin them out at the end of the month to once per month.

    With automatic backups, set to happen every 1 time, I get multiple backs in the same day. Also, my backup folder is not named BACKUP - seems to be no way to have the automatic folder be named anything else.

    Just doing manual backups with Ctrl-B is the closest to what I am used to - but I still find it an unnecessary and non-intuitive change to fix something that was not broken.
  • John Wagner
    John Wagner Member ✭✭
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    I fully agree with the OP. The extra dialog seems to be a "fix" for a nonexistent problem. I've been backing up my data daily for more years than I like to think about. The backup process worked just fine the way it was. Lose the extra dialog, please.
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