Quicken 2004 Deluxe [Old Version]

Installation was quick and easy. It unistalled my old version and converted data without a single problem.

Registration did force me to create a Quicken.com account (at least I didn't find a way to bypass it) but it does not force you to upload data or account information there. Just create a dummy account and forget about it if you don't want to access your accounts from Quicken.com.

It did put a couple of Icons on my desktop that are links to quicken websites and services. Just right click and delete. gone. period. Most software packages put some icons on the desktop. Annoying and common but easily taken care of.

The interface is clean and easy to read and use. I was using Quicken 2001 previously and it only took a few minutes to get used to the new interface. There are no banner ads or advertising on the interface and it's easy to customize and resize.

There are no hidden folders or spyware installed. I've run several spyware programs, searched for suspicious services and folders and found none.

Not sure why there are so many negative reviews. Maybe some people are still upset with the copyright protection fiasco with Turbo Tax last year.


Used Quicken since 1980s - This is the Worst   May 17, 2004
I usually don't write reviews that merely repeat others' writing, but this product deserves it. The advertising is intrusive and pervasive. It is not just spread out on the desktop at installation, which is easily deleted, but is disguised as "instructions" or as the "next step," and you can't delete it.
The interface has a giant space for check number and a small space for a memo, and you can't change it. The "forced upgrade" is not just annoying but deserves a class action as a violation of consumer protection laws in our state (check with your attorney general's office or office of consumer affairs). Installation changes your data so if you use the product for a while with the thought that it might be customizable enough to be acceptable, you can't go back (other than to a backup of the old data) once you realize what a dud this is. The installation process requires going online, and sent us into endless loops.
In short, I recommend avoiding this product. I would not use it even if it were free.


Friday the 13th - Intuit Style   May 11, 2004
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

One star only because I had to.
Well Intuit has done it again. You don't really need my thoughts here since it is well documented, but I will spend the time because it seems a more valuable use than troubleshooting Intuit's software for them.
I have been using, building, reparing, teaching PC's since early 1982 and using Intuit products since their inception. Around the turn of the century, I had two companies and an individual tax return to manage and file.
I had Quickbooks, TurboTax and Quicken developed and integrated to help me perform this function in under an hour for each return. Load TTax, import last year's return, download from QB or Quicken, put in a couple of numbers and answer a few questions and you were done. Magnificent! But not anymore.
In the first of a one/two knockout punch, Intuit introduced the cDilla disaster with Turbo Tax. So, with considerable effort, I switched tax programs two years ago. No data transfer, no importing, starting from scratch ... a giant leap backwards for computer users. Well, from all of the fallout, did Intuit learn anything, of course not. When they shouted, "mea culpa," I shouted too late, I'm not going back, even if it causes me more pain.
I hoped others would follow suit. Then my bank told me that to continue operating online, I needed to upgrade my Quicken 2000, which has been working fine and has more functions than I require anyway. They even send me the program for free. I procrastinated as long as I could, but have become addicted to total automatic online functionality, so I bit. Dumb, dumber, dumbest. When will I learn.
I urge you, if you are not an online junkie, NOT TO BUY INTUIT PRODUCTS, it only encourages them to do more of this BS.


Switch to Money! I did.   May 8, 2004
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

I switched to Microsoft Money 2 years ago, after a horrible experience with Intuit's tech support.

At first I didn't like the interface as much as Quicken's, but I soon got used to it. In addition, every new version of Money has improved the interface and features to the point that I now prefer Money. Plus, you get a number of free offers with Money, including free bill pay for up to 2 years; that alone pays for more than the price of the software.

And don't forget, Money has free tech support. You can download a free evaluation copy from Microsoft's web site.

It's too bad, but Intuit seems to have stopped caring about its customers. I wish Andrew Tobias's "Managing Your Money" was back.


Disappointing is an overstatement   May 5, 2004
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Do yourself a favor and save money by not buying this version of Quicken. Buy an older version instead if you are a loyal Quicken user. I have been upgrading my Quicken to newer versions every time there is a new release to Quicken since 1995. This is the first time that I truly can say I HATE IT. It put transactions into wrong accounts. I couldn't move the transactions to correct them. To say nothing of the awkward way to manually enter stock transactions. Heaven help you if you aren't doing an automatic download. After 2 months I had had enough and switched back to my older version of Quicken. I had to reload the transactions from those two months but it was worth it to avoid the continuing hassles. Granted my tax estimater is off but that is really the only drawback. And I won't even bother to address the spyware issues since everyone else reviewing that has gone on to great length about it. Buy this version at your own risk.