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Install and activate your software

Sage 50 Accounting

Find everything you need to know to install and activate your new software.

Important installation instructions

Read this first

  • This guide is separated into two parts. First, complete the installation instructions and then follow the steps to activate your product.
    Important: You will need to install AND activate your Sage 50 Accounting software to avoid disruptions or delays in accessing support and payroll.
  • During the installation of Sage 50 Accounting 2024–U.S. Edition, you’ll be asked for your serial number.  If you purchased a digital download from a retailer, the retailer will provide you the serial number via an email or a digital locker or if you purchased a box product from a retailer, you will find the serial number in the case under the disk.
  • Be sure to follow directions for any notifications regarding your firewall programs. Certain Sage 50 Accounting files may trigger an alert message in Windows®; you must allow these Sage 50 Accounting files to run for a successful installation.
  • Sage 50 Pro Accounting should only be installed on a single computer as it is a single user version only.
  • If you are installing on a network, you must first install Sage 50 Accounting on the computer that will store your Sage 50 Accounting company data files. This computer will act as the server for the other workstations. All Sage 50 Accounting transactions and records (for all workstations) will be stored on the server.

Program files vs data files

DLL or EXE program files

Program files

The Sage 50 software that is installed on every user workstation and server.
Data files

Data files (primary Sage 50 company data)

The information that you enter and track in the Sage 50 program such as customers, vendors, employees, and inventory.
When installing on a single computer, the data files are stored on the same computer where you install the software. When installing on a network with multiple workstations, on computer acts as the server and holds the company data files that all workstations access.

Installing on a single/stand alone computer

Note: It is recommended to install the program path at c:\program files (x86)\Sage\Peachtree

  1. Visit: sage.com/us/sage50-2024 to download Sage 50 Accounting, or insert install disk.
  2. Run the installation file.
  3. Select to install the requirements needed for Sage 50 Accounting if you receive the prompt.
  4. Turn off anti-virus, and then click Next.
  5. Agree to the license agreement, and then click Next.
  6. Select the Auto configure the Windows Firewall to allow install and run Sage 50 (Recommended) box, and then click Next.
    Note: If the Windows Firewall is disabled, then the box will be grayed out.
  7. Verify or enter your Serial number, and then click Next.
    Note: If you purchased a digital download from a retailer, the retailer will provide you the serial number via an email or a digital locker. If you purchased a box product from a retailer, you will find the serial number in the case under the disk.
  8. At the prompt “Will this be the only computer running Sage 50?”select Yes, and then click Next.
  9. On the Install Options, select location of program files and company data files, and then click Install.
  10. Complete the installation (there is a link to Read the Release notes).

Once your installation is complete, please follow the Activation instructions to activate your product.

Network installation

Server icon

Server

Install here first, on a local drive.

Data folder must be a shared folder (you can share it during install).

workstation icon

Workstations

These must point to the data folder you shared when installing on the server

Installing on a network

  • First install Sage 50 Accounting on the computer that will store your Sage 50 Accounting company data files, which are the files that record your Sage 50 Accounting transactions and records. This computer is the server. 
  • Install Sage 50 Accounting on each workstation after installing on the server.

Server installation

Note: It is recommended to install the program path at c:\program files(x86)\Sage\Peachtree

  1. Visit sage.com/us/sage50-2024 to download Sage 50 Accounting, or insert install disk.
  2. Run the downloaded installation file and follow the prompts to install.
  3. When asked “Will this be the only computer running Sage 50?” select No, then click Next.
  4. On the Sage 50 Company Data Files Storage screen, select This computer is the server, and then click Next.
  5. Verify Install Options and proceed with the installation on the server.
  6. On the Sharing Company Data screen, select Share the Folder, and then click Next
    Note: The Sharing Company Data screen has a link to View important information you will need when installing Sage 50 on your network.
  7. Complete the installation (there is a link to Read the Release notes); allow the program to open and activate.
  8. Open each company and allow the data to be converted to the new version.

Quick tips for network install

  • Always install on the server first.
  • The program must be installed on each computer that will use Sage unless you are in a Terminal Services environment.
  • You can use the Network Installation Manager to install on multiple PCs simultaneously: start the installation at the first workstation, and then move on to the next.
  • The Network Installation Manager will not work over wireless networks.
  • When installing using the downloaded Sage 50 installer, the Destination folder is where the install files will be extracted; this is not the program location.
  • If operating in a domain environment it may be necessary to set correct Windows permissions on the PeachtreeInstaller2024 folder in order to run the network installation manager.

Workstation installation

After installing Sage 50 Accounting on the server, follow the instructions for installing Sage 50 Accounting on your workstations. These instructions are saved on the server in a file on the desktop called Sage 50-Network. Installation Manager Instructions.htm.

  1. At the server, set folder permissions on the PeachtreeInstaller2024 shared folder (located by default in the Program Path).
  2. At the workstation, press the Windows+R keys to open a Run line.
  3. Type \\ServerName (where ServerName = the actual computer name of your server) and click OK
  4. Double-click the PeachtreeInstaller2024 folder. 
  5. Double-click the Peachw folder and then double-click the Install folder. 
  6. Right-click setup.exe and select Run as administrator. 
  7. The setup will begin selecting the settings from the Server.

Note: 

  • If you have multiple workstations, you can start installing on the other computer(s) before the installation on one is complete. 
  • The server was installed as a workstation if the PeachtreeInstaller2024 directory is not found on the server.

See back side for more instructions.

 

Advanced options - Install to a desired data location and/or change the program path

  1. Follow Steps 1 through 4 under “Workstation installation” to access the PeachtreeInstaller2024 shared folder.
  2. Right-click Setup.exe, and then select Run as administrator. The setup will begin the install wizard.
  3. Follow the prompts to install and read the license agreement, clicking Next.
  4. Enter the serial number and click Next.
  5. When asked Will this be the only computer running Sage 50?, answer NO and click Next.
  6. On the Sage 50 Company Data Files Storage screen, select A different computer on the network is the server and will store Sage 50 company data.
  7. Place a check mark next to I confirm that Sage 50 has already been installed on the server and click Next.
  8. On the Company Data Files Location screen, you may select a mapped drive. Click Find a Computer to map the drive to a network share. You may also use a UNC path for the data path.
  9. Click Next and select the program files directory. It is usually best to leave this as the default directory.
  10. Confirm that the company data location is correct and click Install.

Note: 

  • It is important to verify the desired mapped drive or server share is the installed data path that is local to the server. 
  • If you have any problems using the network installation manager, you can install Sage 50 Accounting on each workstation by visiting: sage.com/us/sage50-2024 to download Sage 50 Accounting. Alternately if your purchase included an install disk, insert disk and select Install Sage 50 Accounting. 

Once your installation is complete, please follow the Activation instructions to activate your product.

Activation (required to use your product)

Before you begin: If you have purchased Sage 50 previously (i.e., this is not your first Sage 50 product), please call 1-877-481-0341 for assistance with your product activation. 

  1. After installation is complete, select Finish to launch Sage 50 Accounting.
  2. From within Sage 50 Accounting, go to Help, Sage 50 ActivationLicensing and Subscription Options.
  3. The Product Activation window will launch.
  4. Select Activate Online Now.
  5. The Activation Form window will launch.
  6. Enter valid company information, then click OK.
  7. The Activation Complete window will launch.
  8. Verify successful activation by going back to Help, About Sage 50 Accounting.
  9. The presence of a Serial Number, Customer ID, and Plan Level indicates Sage 50 is now activated.

If you have questions during the activation process, please call Support and Service at 1-877-481-0341. 

Help, guides, and resources

Get the most from your software with our reference guides, expert tips, and more.

Benefits and services

Your Sage 50 Accounting solution includes a Sage Business Care plan with all these benefits and services. 
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Checks and forms

Save time by printing your tax, checks, and other business forms. A complete line of laser business forms is available.