About the Quicken folder
The Quicken folder is where Quicken stores your main data file, backups, attachments, and other related files. This folder plays a key role in preserving your financial data and supporting file recovery tasks.
By default, the Quicken folder is located in your Documents folder:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Quicken
If you selected a different folder during setup, or moved the data manually, the Quicken folder might be in a different location. To find your current file, select File > Show this file on my computer.
Contents of the Quicken folder
The Quicken folder includes several files and subfolders, each serving a specific purpose.
Main data
.QDF file – This is your primary Quicken data file. It contains all your account, transaction, and category information. Modern versions of Quicken use only this file format.
Attachments
Attach – Stores any documents or images you've attached to transactions or accounts.
Backups and recovery
BACKUP – Contains automatic and manual backup copies of your data file. Use these files to restore your data if needed.
VALIDATE – Contains a backup created when you use the Validate and Repair File feature. This backup allows you to recover your file if the validation process causes issues.
Important: Do not open files directly from the BACKUP or VALIDATE folders. These are backup copies and may not include your most recent data. To use one of these files, open Quicken and select File > Restore from Backup File.
Conversion folders
Q07Files, QW6Files, QW5Files, and OLDFILES – When you convert a file from an earlier version of Quicken, the original file is saved in one of these folders. This helps preserve older data for reference.
Managing the Quicken folder
Follow these best practices to avoid data loss or corruption:
Keep your data file on a local drive – Avoid storing your file in folders synced to cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive. These services can interfere with Quicken's ability to manage your data.
Back up regularly – Use Quicken’s built-in backup feature to save your data to an external drive or secure local folder. To create a backup, select File > Copy or Backup File.
Can I move or rename the Quicken folder?
It’s best to leave the folder in its default location. Moving or renaming the folder can cause problems when opening or saving your data file. If you need to store your data file elsewhere, move the .QDF file only, and update Quicken to point to its new location.