Help Articles

This article will help you:

• Download and install Lacerte on a standalone computer
• Install Lacerte on the first networked computer in your office
• Install the program on subsequent networked workstations

If you need to install prior-year versions, see How to download and install prior-year Lacerte.

Follow these steps to install Lacerte:

Follow these steps to install Lacerte on a standalone computer or to the first workstation in your networked environment.

1. Sign in to My Account.
2. Click Download 2021 .
   • A window will appear, asking you to open or save Websetup21.exe. Click Save so you can access it later if needed.
3. Click Run to begin the installation.
4. Click Next in the welcome window.
5. Select the type of installation you want, Recommended or Custom.
   • Recommended uses the prior year version of Lacerte to determine which modules and states to install. The program installs to the same drive location as the prior year.
     • If the prior year program isn't installed, the installer uses the default file paths.
   • Custom gives you the option to select any available modules or states. You can also manually specify where to install the program.
6. If your choice is Recommended, skip to step 9. If you select Custom, choose the type of install:
   • Local Install stores Lacerte data and options on your local computer.
     • The default location is C:\Lacerte\21tax.
     • The program, client database, and options appear under the same folder location.
   • Network Install stores data in the Selected Installation Folder you choose. Program data, options, and updates are saved to the Shared File Path.
     • Make sure the shared file path you choose is a shared location so other network stations can access primary options and program updates.
7. Click Next.
8. In the Select States window, choose States and Modules to install and then click Next.
   • Lacerte automatically checks the states and modules for which you're licensed.
   • Selecting only the modules and states you expect to use will save you download time and you can always add later if needed.
9. In the Ready to install window, review your selections.
   • The workstation path should always be a local drive and is typically C:\Lacerte\21tax.
   • If sharing options and updates with other computers, the shared file path needs to be on a shared network drive.
10. Click Back to change any settings or click Install to begin the installation.

When completed, you should have a current year Lacerte icon on your desktop.

• If prompted to restart the computer, close and save all work and restart the computer. Otherwise, start the program by double-clicking the desktop icon.

If you installed Lacerte as a network, follow the steps below to set up all other workstations.

To install Lacerte on other workstations (networked users)

1. Go the workstation computer on which you wish to install Lacerte.
2. Hold down the Windows key + R to open the Run Command.
3. Type the Shared File Path for your network to start the installation.
   • The default path is X:\Lacerte\21Tax\setup21\taxsetup.exe.
4. Click Next to accept the default local path.
5. Choose Install to begin the installation.
6. When the installation is complete, click Launch to start Lacerte.

Repeat these steps on any additional workstations that need access to Lacerte.

Related topics

• Using Web Setup to install additional states and modules to Lacerte
• How to download and install prior-year Lacerte