Trying to copy Quicken data to new laptop

GaryF2 · November 15

I've used Quicken for more than 30 years. Several times I've transferred my data to another system — when moving to a new laptop, that kind of thing. I just copied the key data files to the new system, never had a problem with it.

This time it doesn't seem to be working quite as smoothly. I've copied my .qdf file to the new laptop, but when I try to open it, Quicken says "Quicken cannot open the data file because it is read-only or you do not have permission to open it. Do you want to copy it to a different location and open it from there?"

I never had to do this before, but maybe I've forgotten a step. What should I do so I can open the old data file on my new laptop?

Quicken Classic, Windows 11.

Tom Young · November 16

If you right click on that .qdf file and look at "properties" is the "read only" box checked?

GaryF2 · November 16

Nope, the Read-Only box is NOT checked.

BK · November 16

On the old laptop, was the file always located and used on the local C drive? or was it ever used from some network/cloud drive such as OneDrive, Dropbox etc? Same question with the new laptop.

Here is a post from a few years ago on this topic:

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7861470/quicken-cannot-open-the-data-file-because-it-is-read-only

GaryF2 · November 16

Always on C:\, accessed via wifi. What did you think was the issue?

BK · November 16

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20522546#Comment_20522546

File corruptions may occur when accessed via a network drive.

Tom Young · November 16

Anything under the "Security" tab that looks out of order?

BK · November 16

One last thing then I am out of ideas: Do you still have access to the old laptop and if so are you able to copy it back and open it there (on the old laptop)? If yes, this suggests some permission settings on your new laptop. I'd do an AI research on it. Sorry couldn't help. If you find the solution please post back since it might help others.

Boatnmaniac · November 16

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20522546#Comment_20522546

I'm curious. If the data file is on C:\, which is the local drive, then why are you accessing it via wifi? When the drive is local to the computer you are using then wifi should not be involved at all, right?

BK · November 16

I didn't understand that either

RalphC · November 16

Are you leaving that file open on your old laptop while trying to access it on the new laptop? You might be confusing Quicken's servers by trying to log on to the same file with the same user credentials on different PCs. I would definitely go to the old laptop and make sure that the data file has been closed properly.

GaryF2 · November 16

Sorry, I was unclear. The storage is not accessed by wifi — the laptop is. The disk drive is internal in the laptop with another one on USB. The laptop has no LAN connectors so I use wifi to connect to it.

I just did some experimenting and I got it to work. Don't ask me why. I just unplugged and re-plugged the external drive.

Trying to copy Quicken data to new laptop

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