- Backup Quicken data file. Copy files (there should be five) to a temporary, e.g. My Documents\quicken_bak.
- Install Quicken 2005. Note if you have to reinstall you might want to delete C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Intuit\Quicken to reset the installation.
- When asked, download updates.
- When asked, run Quicken.
- Select the “I am new to Quicken” option because using the other option and trying to restore from backup doesn’t work.
- Select the “I want to choose a different name and location.” option and select My Documents\quicken\my_money.qdf or something like that.
- Exit the Quicken Setup.
- If you’re not asked to register then go to Help > Register but this is important, create a new Quicken.com account for this installation, otherwise you won’t be able to synchronize with your bank accounts. See this article for more information.
- Select File > Restore Backup File and choose the QDF file you downloaded before in Step 1. When asked if you wish to overwrite your current file say yes.