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Resolving Document Management System (DMS) display issues when changing display settings

SOLVED•by Intuit•7•Updated October 17, 2023

This article will help you if:

  • When opening the Lacerte or ProSeries Document Management System (DMS), your DMS opens as a minimized window and won't expand.
  • The DMS appears on the Windows Task Bar and Windows Task Manager, but won't display on your screen.
  • After switching from dual displays to a single display or otherwise altering display settings, your DMS disappears.
  • PDFs ordinarily displayed in DMS won't open properly.
  • The DMS or its scan window appears on the taskbar, but launches to the second display, which is no longer available.

How to resolve DMS display issues

These DMS display issues usually occur when you remove a monitor(s) from a workstation with multiple monitors, or add a new monitor to a single monitor workstation.

  1. With DMS showing as the active window, hold down Alt and press Spacebar.
  2. Press M for move, then use the Up arrow key.
    • If the monitor setup has changed, moving the window to the left or right will usually cause the window to show up on the screen.
  3. This will attach the DMS window to the mouse cursor so you can move it to the viewable screen.

Before you start:

This requires modification of the Windows Registry. Serious problems may occur if the registry is modified incorrectly. Intuit strongly recommends having an IT professional make these changes if you are not comfortable with editing the registry. It's also strongly recommended to make a backup of the registry before proceeding. See here for further instruction.

  1. Close DMS, if open.
  2. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and R to open the Run prompt.
  3. Enter "regedit" and select OK.
  4. Go to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Intuit (or Lacerte)/DMS/Forms/
  5. Right-click and delete the Sizing folder.
  6. Select Yes on the Confirm Key Delete dialog box.
  7. Close the Registry Editor and open your DMS; it'll revert to the installed defaults.

For Windows 10 and newer:

  1. Close DMS.
    • Make sure the DMS isn't running in the Windows Task Manager.
  2. Right-click on any blank space on your Desktop.
  3. Select Display Settings.
  4. Drag one of the monitor icons from one side to the other. For example, if monitor 1 is on the left, drag it to the right of monitor 2.
  5. Select the Apply button.
  6. Keep the settings windows open and open DMS.
  7. Reposition the monitors to their original configuration in the settings window.
  8. Select the Apply button again.
  9. Close the Settings window.

Your DMS should now show on your screen when you open it.

For Windows 7:

  1. Close DMS.
    • Make sure DMS isn't running in the Windows Task Manager.
  2. Right-click anywhere on the Desktop.
  3. Select Personalize, then Display Settings.
  4. Select the Settings tab.
  5. Drag one of the monitor icons from one side to the other. For examples, if monitor 1 is on the left, drag it to the right of monitor 2.
  6. Re-open DMS then reposition the monitors again.

To reinstall your DMS:

  1. Close the program and make sure it's not running in the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Start menu, then select Control Panel.
  3. Choose the Add/Remove Programs and Features menu.
  4. Select ProSeries/Lacerte Document Management System and select Remove/Uninstall.
  5. Reinstall the program from the original source.

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