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Default file location

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Bob

07 Jan, 2026 06:14 PM

Hello - Windows 11 potential new user here, moving from Quicken

I'm trying to move the new Moneydance files into the directory of my choosing but I'm confusing myself a bit.

I have moved the .moneydance folder and used 'open other' to open the DB in the new location and it opens it fine. I'm fairly certain I'm getting the file from the new location even though the 'show document location' is pointing to where the default should be.

The backup, however, continues to get saved in a newly created default directory. In addition, the changes I make to the Summary page continue to be lost. I'd prefer the location of Moneydance files not to be in my user root if I can help it. What am I missing?

Can someone point me in the right direction - Thanks!!

1. 1 Posted by Bob on 07 Jan, 2026 06:32 PM

   

   I think I found the answer to the backup folder under preferences.

   I am curious is there any reason I need to keep the .moneydance folder in my user root at all? It seems everything is in my preferred location, but I swear Moneydance is creating a new group of files under my user root... it maybe because my backup folder was still pointing to the default location. Maybe now it's going to be ok. Just confusing myself. Thanks.

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2. 2 Posted by dwg on 07 Jan, 2026 08:56 PM

   

   The .moneydance folder structure must sit under your login folder, it contains many things including your preferences, which includes where your data files are.

   Moneydance does not store these in the Window Registry, as Moneydanc runs on Windows, macOS and Linux it uses a common method across all three desktop systems.

   So yes if you move this structure it will create it again when it next starts.

   You can move the Data files to a different location, and set a different location for the automatic backups, but the basic structure must remain under your login folder.

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3. 3 Posted by Bob on 07 Jan, 2026 09:43 PM

   

   Ok... Thank you! Hopefully a quick follow-up.

   So it sounds like the entire folder structure will be created under my user directory. I can move the Document and Archive folder to my preferred location and point the application to them however "empty" versions of those folders would still reappear under my user directory. All but the moneydance DB and backup files are then used in the user directory.

   Since I moved the entire .moneydance directory am I able to safely delete all but the Documents and Archive directories? Thank you

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4. 4 Posted by dwg on 07 Jan, 2026 11:10 PM

   

   You cannot move the documents folder on mass, you can move individual Account sets see:

   https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/kb/file-locations-and-changes/moving-files

   So yes the whole folder structure will be under your logon folder, it will contain Moneydance core files specifically for you, it will also contain any extensions you install as they are done on a user by user basis.

   If you create any new Account sets they will be created in the default location, you then have to manually move them if desired.

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5. 5 Posted by Bob on 08 Jan, 2026 12:21 AM

   

   Thank you so much!

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