Convoluted data file name - how to properly rename

Question

I am using Quicken for Windows R43.32.

I am unsure what I did exactly but somehow the name of my QW data file is:

11oct2011_20120114-2017-01-23 READY2-R-36.57-2022-02-02.QDF-backup2.QDF

and my backups that I make myself from the app (with date appended to the file name) are of the format:

11oct2011_20120114-2017-01-23 READY2-R-36.57-2022-02-02.QDF-backup2-2022-10-12.QDF-backup

As you can see, the file names include the term ".QDF-backup2" in it.... then the appropriate file extension at the end.

Even before I realized the file name is funky, I knew I really needed to rename the file because while the filename was meaningful when I did something in 2017 to dump all the transaction details from 1993 to 2011 or so, the file name really means little at this point.

I have a great deal of investment data transaction and some connectivity with financial institutions in my file.  I do not use QW on any devices other than my Windows 10 PC (although I think I may have installed it on my iPad or iPhone).

With no data files open in the app can I rename the .QDF file using the Windows Explorer, the same way I might rename an .xlsx or .docx file?  Can I rename a .QDF-backup file the same way and still be able to restore it if necessary?

Thank you for your time.

volvogirl · Accepted Answer

Yes you can rename it in Windows.  Then the first time you want to open it you might have to browse to where it is so it knows the new name.

Chris_QPW · Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use Windows File Explorer to rename both .QDF and .QDF-backup files.
Note if you double click on the .QDF file after renaming it, it will open in Quicken and Quicken will now have the right location/name for opening the next time.

Ps56k2 · Accepted Answer

Yeah, you can rename them as you want. The weird names come from opening a Backup file - and then creating a new backup file so you get … backupxxx.backupxxx.QDF