Sometimes, upgrading to a new computer may be necessary. This article will assist you with installing ProSeries Professional or ProSeries Basic on a new computer.
Before you start:
- We recommend installing ProSeries years 2017–2020 on your new computer. You'll need to complete steps 1–5 below for each year you migrate to your new computer.
- For years 2006–2014, you can continue using your current computer, as they no longer require updating or licensing.
- We strongly recommend contacting your local IT professional to help with any computer upgrades or replacements. See the System requirements for ProSeries to make sure the new computer meets the minimum system requirements.
- For pay-per-return (PPR) users, if you have a PPR balance in a prior year ProSeries program, we recommend continuing to use your original computer for these prior years, as PPR balances aren't transferable.
- This article references default installation paths and uses YY to reference the tax year in 20YY format. C: will always indicate the local drive and X: will always indicate the network drive.
Step 2: Back up prior-year client data and recommended files from your old computer.
You should back up your client data files from your old computer. There are also optional files and folders you can copy from your old computer that can save you time setting up ProSeries on your new computer. This is recommended, but not required.
If you use ProSeries Professional as a standalone program:
If you use default file and folder paths for your installation, you can use our ProSeries Backup Utility that automates the move process for you. See How to use the ProSeries Backup Utility tool for more information, or continue with the steps below to start the manual backup process.
Start with backing up your client data:
Before you start: If backing up to a flash drive or other removable media, be sure the drive is connected to the computer before starting.
- Open ProSeries.
- Select the clients you need to backup.
- From the File menu, select Client File Maintenance, then Copy/Backup.
- Select Set Target Directory and choose your backup location.
- Select Backup Client(s).
Next, if you want to save time setting up your new computer you can copy the optional files and folders:
- From the C:\ProWinYY folder, copy the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup, without having to know which formsets were previously installed.
- From the C:\ProWinYY\Common folder, copy the following files:
- OLAC.ini : This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to license ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment. This file will only be present if a bank product enrollment has previously been transmitted.
- EFILE.ini: Stores EFIN and EF Contact information for the Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- Passwd.ini: This file stores Access Rights information. It's important to keep this file whenever Access Rights has been enabled.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- *.rtf, *.ltr: These files store your Client Letters.
- *.inv: These files store your Client Invoices.
- CWFPDATA located in the Common folder: This folder stores all customized "Control Which Forms Print" settings.
- From the C:\ProWinYY folder, copy the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS files.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns that use Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
If you use ProSeries Professional as a network:
If you use default file and folder paths for your installation, you can use our ProSeries Backup Utility that automates the move process for you. See How to use the ProSeries Backup Utility tool for more information, or continue with the steps below to start the manual backup process.
Start with backing up your client data:
Before you start: If backing up to a flash drive or other removable media, be sure the drive is connected to the computer before starting.
- Open ProSeries.
- Select the clients you need to backup.
- From the File menu, select Client File Maintenance, then Copy/Backup.
- Select Set Target Directory and choose your backup location.
- Select Backup Client(s).
Next, if you want to save time setting up your new computer you can copy the optional files and folders:
- From the X:\ProNetYY_AutoDL20YY_Core folder, copy the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup without having to know which formsets were previously installed.
- From the X:\ProNetYY\Common folder, copy the following files:
- OLAC.ini: This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to licensed ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment information. This file will only be present if you previously transmitted a bank product enrollment.
- EFILE.ini: This file stores EFIN and EF Contact information for the Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- Passwd.ini : This file stores Access Rights information. It's important to keep this file whenever Access Rights has been enabled.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- *.rtf, *.ltr: These files store your Client Letters.
- *.inv: These files store your Client Invoices.
- CWFPDATA located in the Common folder: This folder stores all customized "Control Which Forms Print" settings.
- From the X:\ProNetYY folder, copy the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import. It stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc: This folder is important if you;re using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is imporatnt if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns using Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
If you use ProSeries Basic:
If you use default file and folder paths for your installation, you can use our ProSeries Backup Utility that automates the move process for you. See How to use the ProSeries Backup Utility tool for more information, or continue with the steps below to start the manual backup process.
Start with backing up your client data:
Before you start: If backing up to a flash drive or other removable media, be sure the drive is connected to the computer before starting.
- Open ProSeries.
- Select the clients you need to backup.
- From the File menu, select Client File Maintenance, then Copy/Backup.
- Select Set Target Directory and choose your backup location.
- Select Backup Client(s).
Next, if you want to save time setting up your new computer, you can copy the optional files and folders:
- From the C:\BasWinYY folder, copy the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup without having to know which formset was previously installed.
- From the C:\BasWinYY\Common folder, copy the following files:
- OLAC.ini: This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to licensed ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment. This file will only be present if you previously transmitted a bank product enrollment.
- EFILE.ini: This file stores EFIN and EF Contact information for the Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- From the C:\BasWinYY folder, copy the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import. It stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns using Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
Step 3: Restore prior-year client data to your new computer.
- Open ProSeries to the HomeBase.
- From the File menu, select Client File Maintenance, and then select Restore.
- Select the Set source directory button to go to the location of your backed up files.
- Select the Type of return you want to restore.
- Select the client files you want to restore. If you wish to restore all files, use the Select all button.
- Review the path specified for Set target directory. The default location should specify your ProSeries data folder. If you want to restore clients to a different location, use the Set target directory button to change the destination folder.
- To check where your current data is saved, select Cancel. Then select File, Change Directory. Make sure the path apppears under Current year client files.
- Select Restore client(s) to begin restoring the selected files.
Step 4: Restore prior-year recommended files to your new computer.
If you copied files and folders from your original computer, you should restore them now:
- On the new computer, rename each of the following files and folders by right-clicking on the file/folder and selecting Rename.
- Add OLD to the end of the name.
- Copy and Paste the file/folder from your backup to the new computer.
If you use ProSeries Professional as a standalone program:
- From the C:\ProWinYY folder, rename and replace the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup without having to know which formsets you previously installed.
- From the C:\ProWinYY\Common folder, rename and replace the following files:
- OLAC.ini: This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to license ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment information. This file will only be present if you previously transmitted a bank product enrollment.
- EFILE.ini: This file stores Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) and EF Contact information for the EFIM entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- Passwd.ini: This file stores Access Rights information. It's important to keep this file whenever Access Rights has been enabled.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- *.rtf, *.ltr: These files store your Client Letters.
- *.inv: These files store your Client Invoices.
- CWFPDATA located in the Common folder: This folder stores all customized "Control Which Forms Print" settings.
- From the C:\ProWinYY folder, rename and replace the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc – This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns that use Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
If you use ProSeries Professional as a network:
- From the X:\ProNetYY_AutoDL20YY_Core folder, rename and replace the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup, without having to know which formsets were previously installed.
- From the X:\ProNetYY\Common folder, rename and replace the following files:
- OLAC.ini: This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to license ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment. This file will only be present if a bank product enrollment had previously been transmitted.
- EFILE.ini: This file stores Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) and EF Contact information for the EFIN entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- Passwd.ini: This file stores Access Rights information. It's important to keep this file whenever Access Rights has been enabled.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- *.rtf, *.ltr: These files store your Client Letters, custom or otherwise.
- *.inv: These files store your Client Invoices, custom or otherwise.
- CWFPDATA located in the Common folder: This folder stores all customized "Control Which Forms Print" settings.
- From the X:\ProNetYY folder, rename and replace the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is imporatnt if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is imporatnt if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns using Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
If you use ProSeries Basic:
- From the C:\BasWinYY folder, rename and replace the following file:
- Prodsel.lyt: Copying this file to the correct location before installing will populate the product list during setup without having to know which formset were previously installed.
- From the C:\BasWinYY\Common folder, rename and replace the following files:
- OLAC.ini: This file stores the Customer Account Number and ZIP code used to license ProSeries.
- BankProd.ini: This file stores information concerning previously transmitted bank product registration and enrollment. This file will only be present if a bank product enrollment had previously been transmitted.
- EFILE.ini: This file stores Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) and EF Contact information for the EFIN entered in the Firm/Preparer Info.
- SHRFRMYY: This file stores paid preparer information.
- ein.dat, eindb.cdx, eindb.dbf: These files together store the EIN database within ProSeries.
- From the C:\BasWinYY folder, rename and replace the following folders:
- FIDO: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import Financial Institution Download data for returns.
- YYOBIR: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores imported document data.
- YYOBIRDoc: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores the downloaded review files, like PDFs and XLS files.
- YYOBIRWork: This folder is important if you're using Tax Import, as it stores Tax Import files for returns that use Tax Import.
- YYQBData: This folder stores QuickBooks and/or Quicken data linked with tax returns.
- HomeBase: This folder stores database files used to generate the HomeBase view. These database files form the link between each HomeBase record and the associated data file.
Step 5: Update prior-year e-file acknowledgements and download Pay-by-Refund status.
To update your e-file acknowledgements:
- Go to the EF Center HomeBase view or the EF Clients tab in ProSeries Basic.
- Select the returns.
- From the E-file menu, select Electronic Filing.
- Select Update Acknowledgement Status of Selected Returns/Extensions/Payments.
- Choose to update Only the selected return.
- Select OK to retrieve the latest available status.
To update your Pay-by-Refund acknowledgements:
- Go to the Pay-by-Refund HomeBase View.
- Select the client’s return.
- From the E-File menu choose Pay-by-Refund.
- Select your Pay-by-Refund provider.
- Select Update Selected Acknowledgments.
- Select OK.
- ProSeries will now download the most current status from the Intuit Electronic Filing Server.
If the status remains "Return marked for EF" after updating the status:
After installing ProSeries on a new computer and restoring the client data files, the EF Center shows a status of "Return marked for EF" for all clients instead of the correct status.
How do I resolve this issue?
If you have access to the old computer, you can copy the HomeBase folder from it and replace the HomeBase folder on the new computer. You'll need some method to move the folder from the old computer to the new one, such as a shared network drive or a removable storage device like a USB flash drive.
To move the folder to the new computer:
- On the new computer, double-click the My Computer icon.
- Double-click the C: drive and open the ProWinYY folder (or BasWinYY if you're using ProSeries Basic).
- Right-click the HomeBase folder and choose Rename.
- Change the name to HomeBaseOld.
- On the old computer, go to the ProWinYY or BasWinYY folder.
- Copy the HomeBase folder to the network drive or removable storage drive.
- On the new computer, copy and paste the HomeBase folder from the old computer into the ProWinYY or BasWinYY folder.
Alternatively, if you're trying to update the statuses still within the 3-year e-file window, you can download the acknowledgements in the program.
To download the acknowledgements in the program:
- Go to the EF Center and highlight a client file.
- You can highlight all clients by going to the HomeBase menu and choosing Select All.
- From the E-file menu, select Electronic Filing and choose Update Acknowledgement Status of Selected Returns.
- Choose Update only the selected returns and extensions.
- Select Check Now.
Step 6: Install ProSeries 2021
Now that you've set up your prior-year products, you can install ProSeries 2021.If you used ProSeries Access rights in prior years, these are now controlled by your My Account page. Before beginning installation, make sure each user has the correct ProSeries Role under Manage Users. For more information, see Managing Access Rights in ProSeries.
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