Can I use Classic Home data file with Classic Business Software (Windows)

bwdon
bwdon Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭
edited November 30 in Download, Add/Update Accounts (Windows)

Situation (#d in case anyone wants to refer to points):

  1. I use Business software to keep my daughters company accounts. I use her Quicken ID on my laptop.
  2. I use Personal/Home software to keep my personal finances. I use my Quicken ID on my desktop computer.
  3. I am going on an extended vacation and will take my laptop.
  4. Can I put my personal data file (#2) on the laptop and then use Business software to update each of the data files? Concerns:
    1. What about User IDs in the data files?
    2. Is the User ID attached to the software?
    3. Will my home data file "inherit" business properties and then not work on the home software again when I get back.
  5. I think I can install both Home and Business software on the laptop and use each with their own data files and their own Quicken IDs.
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Answers

  • Tom Young
    Tom Young Quicken Windows Subscription SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭

    The Business software will handle a non-business file just fine.

    The User ID is in the data file so you shouldn't have a problem opening either one of them. And he personal file will still be a "personal" file when you transfer it back to the desktop.

    You can only have one copy of Quicken installed on a computer, normally. You can make one computer effectively act like 2 different with special techniques like virtualization, dual-booting, and the like. But it's not necessary here.

  • Boatnmaniac
    Boatnmaniac Quicken Windows Subscription SuperUser, Windows Beta ✭✭✭✭✭

    There is only one Quicken Classic software. The subscription determines which features are turned on or off. So your daughter's software and your software are identical in every way (assuming both are installed with the same current version).

    Since it is all the same software there is nothing you need to additionally install on the laptop.

    Yes, you can move the data file from the desktop to the laptop. A common and safe way to do that is to first backup your desktop data file and then move the file between the computers using a thumb drive.

    When you want to use your data file, launch Quicken and select your data file. Sign into Quicken using your Quicken ID and PW. The Quicken installed on the laptop will open with your "Home" edition (i.e., Starter, Deluxe or Premier, depending on what you are subscribed to).

    When you want to use your daughter's data file, launch Quicken and select her data file. Then sign in with her Quicken ID and PW which will change the edition to Business and Personal.

    Doing it this way will not change anything in either of your data files…i.e., your data file will remain the "Home" edition and her data file will remain the Business and Personal edition.

    In other words, you can start to use your data file on your laptop right now if you want to without needing to do anything other than moving your data file there and then signing into Quicken using your Quicken ID and PW.

    Here is something you might want to consider for the future to save you some money: Instead of having 2 subscriptions (one for you and one for your daughter), have only 1 for the both of you. Since she needs the Business and Personal edition, subscribe to that. Since it's all the same software you can then use a single Quicken ID and PW on both your laptop and desktop installations for both data files.

    Sure, that means you will have the Business features on your desktop but you do not need to use those Business features if you don't want to. And you can actually hide many of the business views if you do not want to use or see them without affecting the Business views needed for her data file.

    So, 1 subscription can be used to meet both of your needs instead of having 2 subscriptions.

    In fact, you can take it one step further and simply use 1 computer to run Quicken and update each of your data files on that….just like you are now thinking of doing with your laptop on your trip.

    Quicken Classic Premier (US) Subscription: R65.15 on Windows 11 Home

  • bwdon
    bwdon Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭

    Both (Tom Young and Boatnmaniac) - Thanks. This is perfect.

    With respect to using one version of the Classic software (e.g., buying the Business and using it for both). I like the idea of saving the subscription fee - who wouldn't! … but right now, I am getting her business finances in order, and I want her to eventually (6 months?) take it over and get her to put her personal finances in it. But if both the business and my personal are under the same ID, then wouldn't she be able to see my finances and investments based on stuff that is in the cloud under each ID and related license? I don't want to share all that.

    Given all that, I think I need to keep things under separate IDs don't I?

  • Boatnmaniac
    Boatnmaniac Quicken Windows Subscription SuperUser, Windows Beta ✭✭✭✭✭
    https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20518458#Comment_20518458

    If you are using Quicken Mobile or Quicken on the Web then, yes, if you both share the same Quicken ID and login she would be able to see the data those companion apps.

    If you are not using Quicken Mobile or Quicken on the Web then, no, she will not be able to see any of your data because your data will be in your data file, not in hers, and it will not be accessible outside of that.

    It's a personal choice about whether to share 1 Quicken ID or to have 2 unique IDs. It boils down to your (and her) comfort levels with regard to how much privacy is desired and/or needed.

    Quicken Classic Premier (US) Subscription: R65.15 on Windows 11 Home

  • splasher
    splasher Quicken Windows Subscription SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭

    NOTE: the following was originally written to a response of using Quicken with a personal file and a Club's file, so when reading it, think "daughter" when you see "club."

    You already have both editions of Quicken installed. There is only ONE subscription Quicken program, the license decides which features (edition) are available.
    You can switch between editions by going thru EditPreferencesQuicken Id, "login as different user".
    To prevent hiccups in your separate data files, make sure that they are both uniquely named and switch between them using this process.
    Create a dummy data file named something like go_between.qdf with no accounts in it, it is just for transitioning between the two Quicken IDs.
    Now, you do NOT want to open your personal data file while the Quicken program is setup for the Club's ID and the same holds true for opening the Club's data file with your personal ID.
    So, that is where the dummy data file comes into play. Lets say you are using your data file and now want to work with the Club's data file.

    1. Open the dummy data file using either FileOpen Quicken file or picking it from the recent file list on the File menu.
    2. Do EditPreferencesQuicken Id and then "login as different user" using the Club's ID.
    3. Open the Club's data file using either FileOpen Quicken file or picking it from the recent file list on the File menu.
    4. Do what ever you needed to do.

    Now, when you want to work with your personal data file, follow the same procedure except substitute your personal data file and Quicken ID where you used the Club's information.
    I suggest always returning the state of registration of Quicken to your personal Quicken ID and only have it in "Club mode" when it needs to be so that you don't inadvertently open your personal data file with the Club ID which would require you do do steps 1 & 2 again as 5 & 6 using personal ID.

    -splasher using Q continuously since 1996
    - Subscription Quicken - Win11 and QW2013 - Win11
    -Questions? Check out the Quicken Windows FAQ list

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