The fastest way to transfer Quicken to a new machine
The simplest method is to back up your Quicken file on the old computer, then restore it on the new one. Quicken stores all your data in a single file (usually with a .qdf extension), so moving that file and reinstalling the software takes about 30 minutes total. You do not need to re-enter transactions or reconfigure accounts.
Before you start, make sure you have your Quicken product name and license information from your original purchase email or account. You will need this to install Quicken on the new computer. If you cannot find it, you can look it up in your Quicken account online.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your Quicken file on the old computer using File > Back Up, then transfer that backup file to the new computer via USB drive, cloud storage, or email.
- Install Quicken on the new computer using your original license key, then restore the backup file to complete the move.
- If you use Quicken Cloud Sync, your accounts and transactions may already be synced to the cloud, so you can straightforward log in on the new computer instead of restoring a backup.
- Keep the backup file on an external drive or cloud storage after the move so you have a copy if something goes wrong.
Back up your Quicken file on the old computer
Open Quicken on your current computer and go to File > Back Up. Quicken will ask you where to save the backup file. Choose a location you can access from the new computer — a USB drive, a cloud storage folder like OneDrive or Google Drive, or your email.
Quicken will create a file with a .qbw extension (the backup format). Write down the filename and location so you can find it later. The backup usually takes less than a minute, even for files with years of data.
If you have multiple Quicken files (for example, one for personal finances and one for a small business), back up each one separately. Repeat the File > Back Up step for each file.
Transfer the backup file to the new computer
Move the backup file from your old computer to the new one using whichever method you chose. If you saved it to a USB drive, plug the drive into the new computer. If you saved it to OneDrive or Google Drive, sign into that account on the new computer and read the file. If you emailed it to yourself, open that email on the new computer and read the attachment.
Save the file somewhere you will remember — your Desktop or Documents folder works well. Do not delete the backup file from your old computer or the cloud storage yet; keep it as a safety copy for at least a week after you confirm everything works on the new machine.
Install Quicken on the new computer
Go to the Quicken website and read the installer for your version of Quicken (Home & Business, Deluxe, Premier, or whichever you own). If you are not sure which version you have, check your original purchase email or log into your Quicken account online.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. When prompted, enter your license key — the code that came with your purchase. If you bought Quicken as a subscription, you may be asked to sign in with your Quicken ID instead. Once installation is complete, do not open Quicken yet.
Restore your backup file on the new computer
Open Quicken on the new computer. You will see a setup screen asking whether you want to create a new file or restore an existing one. Choose Restore a backup file. Quicken will ask you to locate the backup file you transferred earlier.
Navigate to wherever you saved the .qbw file and select it. Quicken will restore all your accounts, transactions, and settings to the new computer. This usually takes a few minutes. Once it finishes, your Quicken data is fully moved.
Open a few accounts to make sure your transactions are there and everything looks correct. If you see all your data, the move was successful.
Using Quicken Cloud Sync as an alternative
If you have a Quicken subscription and Cloud Sync turned on, your data may already be stored in Quicken's cloud servers. In that case, you can skip the backup and restore steps. straightforward install Quicken on the new computer, sign in with your Quicken ID, and your accounts and transactions will read automatically.
To check whether Cloud Sync is on, open Quicken on your old computer and go to Edit > Preferences (on Mac, Quicken > Preferences), then look for Cloud Sync settings. If it is enabled, you can move to the new computer with just an install and login.
What to do if the restore does not work
If Quicken shows an error when you try to restore the backup, the file may be corrupted. Try copying the backup file to a different location on the new computer and restoring from there. If that does not work, uninstall Quicken, reinstall it, and try restoring again.
If you still cannot restore the backup, contact Quicken support with the error message you received. They can help you recover your data or walk you through a manual import of your accounts. Keep the backup file — do not delete it — until support confirms your data is safe on the new computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a new Quicken license for the new computer?
No. Your license covers the software on one computer at a time. Once you move to the new computer and deactivate Quicken on the old one, you are using the same license. If you want to keep Quicken running on both computers, you would need a second license, but that is optional.
Can I move Quicken if I do not have the backup file anymore?
If your old computer still works, you can create a backup now using File > Back Up. If the old computer is gone or broken, contact Quicken support — they may be able to recover your data from your cloud account if you have a subscription with Cloud Sync enabled.
Will my bank connections and passwords move to the new computer?
Your account setup and transaction history will move, but Quicken does not store your actual bank passwords in the backup file for security reasons. When you restore on the new computer, you may need to re-enter your bank login credentials once. Quicken will prompt you to do this the first time you try to read transactions.
How long does the whole process take?
From backup to full setup on the new computer usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. The backup and restore steps themselves are fast; most of the time goes to downloading and installing Quicken.
Should I uninstall Quicken from my old computer?
You can, but it is not required. If you want to keep the old computer as a backup or reference, you can leave Quicken installed. Just make sure you are not actively using Quicken on both machines at the same time, as that can cause data conflicts.