Create a Backup of Your QuoteCreator License

9 min read

Learn how to create encrypted backups of your license and restore it on any device.

Why Create a Backup?

Your QuoteCreator license and data live in your browser. If you:

• Clear your browsing history
• Switch browsers or devices
• Reinstall your operating system
• Experience browser corruption

...you'll need to restore your license. Creating a backup protects your $12.99 investment.

Method 1: Email Backup (Automatic)

When you purchase, we automatically send your license key to your email.

What to do:

• Keep this email - don't delete it!
• Add to an "Important" or "Licenses" folder
• Star/flag it for easy finding
• Optional: Save to password manager

Recovery: Just copy/paste the key from email into Settings → License section

Pros:

• Automatic - no setup required
• Easy to find (search email for "QuoteCreator")
• Works on any device

Cons:

• Doesn't backup estimate counters
• Relies on email not getting deleted

Method 2: Encrypted Backup File (Recommended)

Create a backup as an encrypted .qclic file.

What Gets Backed Up?

License Information:

• License key
• Activation date
• Purchase details

Estimate Counters:

• Daily estimate counts (so next estimate continues from correct number)
• Last estimate number created
• Last estimate date

Encryption:

• Bank-level security (AES-256)
• Password-protected
• Only you can decrypt it

How to Create a Backup

Step 1: Go to Settings

1. Open QuoteCreator
2. Click the gear icon (Settings)
3. Scroll down to Backup & Restore section

Step 2: Create a Backup

1. Click "Create a Backup" button
2. A window will appear asking for a password

Step 3: Choose a Strong Password

Requirements:

• Minimum 8 characters
• Use a password you'll remember!

Important: Write down this password or store in password manager. You'll need it to restore!

Step 4: Download the File

1. Enter your password
2. Click "Create Backup"
3. File downloads: quotecreator-license-backup-20251101-123456.qclic

File name format: quotecreator-license-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.qclic

• Includes date and time when you created the backup

Step 5: Store Safely

Save your .qclic file in a secure location:

Recommended:

• Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
• Password manager (1Password, LastPass)
• External hard drive
• Email to yourself (as attachment)

Not Recommended:

• Desktop only (gets deleted if computer fails)
• USB drive only (can be lost)
• Public/shared folders

How to Restore from Backup

When to Restore?

Restore when:

• You cleared browser data and lost your license
• You're setting up QuoteCreator on a new device
• You switched browsers
• You reinstalled your OS

Step 1: Locate Your Backup File

Find your .qclic file:

• Check Downloads folder
• Check cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
• Check email attachments
• Check password manager

Step 2: Go to Settings

1. Open QuoteCreator
2. Click gear icon (Settings)
3. Scroll to Backup & Restore section

Step 3: Restore from Backup

1. Click "Restore from Backup" button
2. A window appears

Step 4: Select File and Enter Password

1. Click "Choose File" or drag-and-drop your .qclic file
2. Enter the password you used when creating the backup
3. Click "Restore"

Step 5: Verify Success

You should see:

• "License restored successfully! Refreshing..."
• "License activated! You now have unlimited estimates."

Check:

• Go to Settings → License section
• Should show "License Active"
• Your license key should be displayed

Step 6: Create Next Estimate

Your estimate counter should continue from where you left off!

Set Up QuoteCreator on Multiple Devices

Goal: Use QuoteCreator on both your desktop and laptop with the same license

On Your Primary Device (Desktop):

1. Activate your license (after purchase)
2. Go to Settings → Backup & Restore
3. Click "Create a Backup"
4. Choose password: "MySecurePassword123"
5. Save .qclic file to cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive)

On Your Secondary Device (Laptop):

1. Open QuoteCreator (without license)
2. Download .qclic file from cloud storage
3. Go to Settings → Backup & Restore
4. Click "Restore from Backup"
5. Select the .qclic file
6. Enter password: "MySecurePassword123"
7. License activated on laptop!

Note: Estimates don't sync between devices automatically. Each device has its own estimates.

Regular Backup Schedule

Recommended: Create a backup monthly or after major milestones

When to Create a Backup:

• Right after purchasing (first time)
• After creating many estimates (counter backup)
• Before clearing browser data
• Before computer maintenance/upgrades
• Once a month (set calendar reminder)

Troubleshooting Restore Issues

"Incorrect password or corrupted file"

Cause: Wrong password or damaged file

Fix:

1. Double-check password (case-sensitive!)
2. Try typing password instead of copy/paste
3. Re-download the .qclic file from original location
4. If still failing, use manual entry (use your license key from email)

"Invalid backup file format"

Cause: Wrong file type or corrupted

Fix:

1. Verify file extension is .qclic
2. Make sure you selected the correct file
3. Don't rename the file
4. If you edited the file, it's corrupted - use original

Restore succeeds but estimate counter doesn't restore

Cause: Backup was created before counter feature (Nov 1, 2025)

Explanation: Old backups don't include estimate counters. This is normal.

Fix: Your license still works! Estimates will use date-based numbering, so no duplicates.

Security & Privacy

Is my backup file secure?

Yes! Here's how:

Encryption: AES-256-GCM

• Same encryption banks use
• Requires password to decrypt
• Even we can't decrypt it without your password

What if someone gets my file?

• They can't open it without your password
• Brute force would take millions of years
• Store password separately from file

What's in the file?

• License key
• Estimate counters
• Activation dates
• NO estimates, NO client data, NO PDFs

Can QuoteCreator see my backup?

No!

• Encryption happens in your browser
• We never receive the file or password
• Backup/restore is 100% local to your device

Common Questions

Q: How often should I create a backup?
A: Once right after purchase is sufficient. Create another backup if you've created many estimates and want counter backup.

Q: Can I have multiple backup files?
A: Yes! Each backup creates a new timestamped file. Keep the most recent one.

Q: What if I forget my backup password?
A: You can still recover using your license key from email. Just won't get counter restoration.

Q: Can I email my .qclic file to myself?
A: Yes! It's encrypted, so it's safe to email. Just remember the password.

Q: Will restoring overwrite my current estimates?
A: No. Restoring only restores your license and counters, not your estimates. Each device keeps its own estimates.

Q: Can I restore on multiple devices?
A: Yes! Restore the same .qclic file on as many devices as you want.

Q: What's better - email or file backup?
A: Both! Email is easier for license key recovery. File backup restores your counters too.

Backup Checklist

After purchasing QuoteCreator:

• Keep license email in a safe folder
• Create a backup to .qclic file
• Upload .qclic to cloud storage
• Store password in password manager
• Test restore on another device (optional)
• Set monthly reminder to create new backup

Time investment: 5 minutes
Protection: Lifetime access to your $12.99 license