Payroll Pro - Moving or Changing Computers

Option 1 - Install and Copy

The easiest way to move Payroll Pro from one computer to another is to fully install Payroll Pro on the new computer, then copy the whole PayPro folder from the old computer to the new computer using a memory stick or flash drive. This ensures that all background files are correctly installed, and that all data is copied over from the old computer. You may need to enter a new licence key after this. The following instructions explain this step-by-step. If you do not have access to the old computer, but just have backups of your data, please see Option 2 below "Moving Payroll by Restoring from Backups".

You may want to have a computer technician do this for you:

1. Install Payroll Pro on the new computer - click here to download the full setup for Payroll Pro version 2.
   If you are using Payroll Pro Version 1, click here to download the full setup for version 1.
   When you install the payroll make sure that it is installed into the default folder C:\PayPro
   Do not install into C:\Program Files - the reason for this is that Windows may block some features if installed into the Program Files folder (this is the case with alot of software, not just FiveStar Payroll Pro).
    
2. Now restart your computer, and then run Payroll Pro. You may get another message, and in some cases may need to restart the computer again. Don't worry if Payroll Pro tells you that you are running under a trial licence or that you need a new licence - we will sort this out below. Now exit all programs and go to step 3.
    
3. Copy subfolders in PayPro - You can copy the sub folders from within the PayPro folder on the old computer, and paste them into the PayPro folder on the new computer so they become sub folders of PayPro on the new computer. For example if your data is in C:\PayPro\XYZdata, you would copy the "XYZdata" folder and paste it into the PayPro folder on the new computer. If you have more than one data folder you can do the same with each one. If you have too many to want to do this one by one, or you think that copying the whole PayPro folder would be easier, see step 4 below which describes just copying the whole PayPro folder.
   (You dont need to copy the demo or sample folders, and you dont need to copy any that start with the word "blank").
    
4. Alternative - Copy the entire PayPro folder and all its subfolders from the old computer onto a memory stick, then copy it onto the new computer over the top of the newly installed PayPro folder.
   Important: If the folder name on the old computer was not PayPro, then you should rename this on the memory stick to PayPro and copy this renamed folder onto the new computer. Windows will ask if you wish to overwrite the folder on the new computer - answer yes to this.
   If the PayPro folder on the old computer was within another folder - eg C:\Program Files\TCSPayPro - just copy the TCSPayPro folder
   with all its subfolders onto the memory stick or flash drive, and rename it to PayPro.
   For example the old folder is TCSPayPro inside the C:\Program Files folder: C:\Program Files\TCSPayPro
   Copy just the TCSPayPro folder and it's subfolders to the memory stick: F:\TCSPayPro
   Rename this to PayPro: F:\PayPro
   Copy this to the new computer overwriting the PayPro folder: C:\PayPro
   (The example uses F: drive as the memory stick - it can be another letter)
   If you use this option (Copy entire PayPro folder), then after you have copied the PayPro folder over, please use the "Check for Updates Online" option which is found just below the version number on the main menu of Payroll Pro. This will ensure you have the most up to date version.
    
5. Now run Payroll Pro.
   Licence Key/Licence File Problem: If when running Payroll Pro you receive a message reporting a problem with the licence file and Payroll Pro does not run, please delete the file PAYLIC.DAT from the PayPro folder. This can be done from "My Computer" (or just "Computer") in some Windows versions. After doing this, run Payroll Pro again and the "Trial Licence" message should appear. You can enter the licence key in by following the prompts.
   Licence Key for New Computer: Because you are using a different computer the licence key may no longer work, so when you run the payroll it may tell you that you are still under a trial licence and the option to print or email an order form will be given.
   Please send the order form to us (email or post).
   
   This contains codes that will allow us to set up a new licence key for the new computer.
   You can ignore the price on the form if you are a licenced Payroll Pro user.
   
   In the meantime, click below for a temporary licence key
   

 

Option 2 - Moving Payroll by Restoring from Backups

If you have access to your old computer, the above option 1 may be easier.
If you do not have access to the old computer, then the following procedure can be used.

1. Install Payroll Pro on the new computer - click here to download the full setup for Payroll Pro version 2.
   If you are using Payroll Pro Version 1, click here to download the full setup for version 1.
   When you install the payroll make sure that it is installed into the default folder C:\PayPro
   Do not install into C:\Program Files - the reason for this is that Windows may block some features if installed into the Program Files folder (this is the case with alot of software, not just FiveStar Payroll Pro).
    
   
2. After installing, restart the computer then run Payroll Pro. Because you are using a different computer the licence key may no longer work, so when you run the payroll it will tell you that you are still under a trial licence and the option to print or email an order form will
   be given.
   Please send the order form to us (email or post).
   
   This contains codes that will allow us to set up a new licence key for the new computer. You can ignore the price on the form if you are a licenced Payroll Pro user.
   
   In the meantime, click below for a temporary licence key
   
   
    

 

 

If you have any trouble restoring or would like more information about the restore process, click here.