What if there is a CD or other external media problem when backing up or restoring my Quicken data file?

If you see an error when backing up to or restoring from external media, the issue is likely related to the drive or file permissions. First, identify what type of external media you’re using.

USB flash drive or external hard drive

If you're backing up to or restoring from a USB device:

• Make sure the device is securely connected and recognized by Windows.

• Avoid removing the device while Quicken is backing up or restoring the file.

• Confirm the device has enough free space to hold the backup file.

• Right-click the destination folder and make sure you have Write permission.

• If you receive a read-only error, right-click the file or folder, choose Properties, and clear the Read-only checkbox if selected.

CD or DVD

If you're using a CD or DVD:

• Make sure the disc is writable and not finalized.

• If the disc has already been written to or closed by another program, Quicken may not be able to write to it.

• For best results, back up the file to your hard drive first, then use your disc-burning software to copy the file to the CD or DVD.

Tip: Use a folder on your hard drive

For reliability, it's best to back up to a folder on your hard drive first, then copy the backup file to external media. This gives you more control and helps isolate file permission or device issues.

Note: If you prefer automatic protection without relying on physical devices, you can use Quicken Online Backup to store your backup securely in the cloud. For setup instructions, see Online Backup.