Running Q2009 under Vista ... Where to Install

Hi, John.

That is the way it is supposed to work! The C:\Program Files folder is intended to hold all applications. That is the way it was supposed to work in WinXP and predecessors, too, but the rule was not enforced, so it was generally ignored in the real world. If you accept the Default location for Q2009 (or Q2008 or several prior versions), that's where the Quicken installer will put the \Quicken folder: C:\Program Files\Quicken.

The Program Files folder is SUPPOSED to hold ONLY the .exe and .dll and other files to run the program. Any DATA that the program generates (like the .qdf and other files in the Quicken fileset) are NOT supposed to be in Program Files at all. Much of the metadata, such as quser.ini, are in other special locations; in MY Vista, that file is at C:\Users\RC\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\Quicken\Config\quser.ini. These special locations are different in WinXP, which I haven't used in a couple of years, so I've forgotten the details.

In Vista, there are several "protected locations", where the operating system will not let us store files unless we invoke Administrator status and insist. The Root of the Boot Volume (typically C:\) is one of those locations; Program Files is another. Many users THINK they are storing data in a subfolder of Program Files, but Vista quietly redirects those data files to another folder within C:\Users\. Where is YOUR JohnP.QDF file, John? The full pathname, please?

As I've often reported here, my Quicken installation is NOT the default. For a decade or more I've installed Quicken into E:\QuickenW. WinXP accepted that location without protest, and so does Vista. So my Quicken installation is not typical and some of what I see is not what most users will see. My automatic backup files, for example, are in E:\QuickenW\BACKUP; most Vista users will find them in a subfolder of C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\Quicken, I think - but I'm not sure.

It should cause NO problems. Installing it anywhere else MIGHT. And putting your Quicken (or other) DATA in Program Files might also cause problems.

One additional wrinkle ONLY for users of 64-bit WinXP or Vista: The Program Files (x86) folder. This is not necessary and not used at all in 32-bit Windows. But, since 64-bit Windows can run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications and utilities, and they often require different drivers and other support files, the system needs a way to tell them apart. So Microsoft subdivided Program Files into TWO folders. They could have kept Program Files for 32-bit apps and created a new Program Files (x64) - but they didn't! Instead, taking the name from Intel's x86 family of 16-bit and

32-bit CPUs (8086, 80486, etc.), they created Program Files (x86) and put the 32-bit apps there, reserving the original Program Files folder name for 64-bit apps. This creates a little confusion for some 64-bit users and a LOT OF CONFUSION for those of us who dual-boot both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. :>(

If you run only 32-bit Windows, just ignore Program Files (x86). (Except to know just enough about it to understand why you might see it mentioned now and then.) All of Quicken and your other apps should still be installed into Program Files. Quicken is not yet available as a 64-bit program, but

32-bit Quicken runs just fine in both 32-bit and 64-bit WinXP and Vista.

We've discussed this before, John. If your archives allow, you might check out the thread in July with the Subject: Quicken, Vista, and THE Administrator.

By the way, in case I didn't mention it before, my installation of Q2009 Deluxe into Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 this month a week or two ago was the smoothest Quicken installation yet. ; Are there any Q2009 users with Windows Vista who could comment on

That's how I understand it too.

As soon as I discovered that Quicken was defaulting to looking in Program Files for its data (back when I was using Q2000), I moved my Quicken data to a folder outside of Program Files ... and it's been that way ever since.

I should have included two things in my original post:

1.) I don't use Vista; I use XP. 2.) The reason for my question is that it's being reported that Quicken tech-support is telling users to install Quicken in a folder other than Program Files. I'm trying to find out why Intuit might be telling users to do that.

I do recall that (didn't I initiate that discussion?).

But I don't recall any comments about problems caused by installing Quicken (and Q2009, in particular) in the Vista Program Files folder. Or what problems could be caused by installing in the Vista Program Files folder.

Is it possible that since Q2009 is not a 64 bit app, and you say Vista Program Files is for 64 bit apps ... that Quicken should be installed in Vista Program Files (x86)?

Would installing Quicken in a brand new folder under the root folder be a valid alternative?

Is the Quicken install program smart enough to know which Program Files folder Quicken should be installed in?

Hi, John.

I remember. But there are plenty of others "reading over our shoulders". ;^} And it's not just WinXP v. Vista; much of this confusion is 32-bit v.

64-bit - in either OS.

To simplify their tech support calls.

Microsoft must have some of the most-creative file-and-feature-naming crews in the world. NOT! :>( Program Files is just one more example. In addition to my previous comments (gripes about the (x86) naming)...

Quicken will, by default, install itself into one of the following folders: In 32-bit, whether WinXP Vista: C:\Program Files\Quicken

In 64-bit, whether WinXP or Vista: C:\Program Files (x86)\Quicken

In either case, Quicken should install happily and run smoothly.

But when Quicken tech support tries to support it, they have to continually keep in mind both possible locations. And either tell the customer that (x86) is OK, or tell the customer to ignore that, depending on which OS is running. It's extra work for tech support and extra opportunity for confusion. If everybody were to create a new folder called, for example, C:\Quicken, and install Quicken into that folder, then support's job would be much easier. They could always refer to the same foldername. (But it would make Microsoft mad if Quicken formally recommended that!)

So, if I were on the Quicken tech support team, I might suggest that users not use Program Files, but create a new folder.

That doesn't mean that using Program Files causes problems. Just confusion.

Yes - and no. It's not WinXP v. Vista. It's 32-bit v. 64-bit. See far above.

Yes. But Microsoft wouldn't like it.

Yep. See above.

So it boils down to a sort of "turf war". Microsoft wants ALL applications to be in Program Files (or Program Files (x86)), while Intuit wants to keep Quicken out of Program Files so that they don't have to explain all this over and over.

Now I'd better send this before I "improve" it some more and make it even more confusing. :^{

RC

Thanks R.C.