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Why do I get "File not backed up" or "Unable to open source file" when backing up my Quicken data file to floppy disk?

If you're seeing File not backed up or Unable to open source file when trying to back up your Quicken data file to a floppy disk, the problem is that floppy disks have officially been retired from backup duty.

Floppy disks are no longer valid backup media

Floppy disks don’t have the storage capacity or reliability needed to support modern Quicken data files. Even a freshly formatted disk can’t handle the size of today’s backups.

Use a modern storage option

To back up your data safely, we recommend one of the following:

  • USB flash drive

  • External hard drive

  • Cloud-synced folder (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive)

  • Quicken Online Backup

If you're backing up to another drive and still see an error

If you're not using a floppy disk and still get this message:

  1. Try renaming your data file, then back up again.

  2. If the issue persists, select File > File Operations > Validate and Repair to check for data damage.

  3. Try backing up the repaired file to a supported storage location.


Note: If you're still using floppy disks, we admire your commitment to vintage tech—but for Quicken backups, it’s time to give those disks a well-earned retirement.

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