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How do I move CFS programs and data to a new computer?

If you used the defaults when installing:

The default location for CFS programs and data is a folder at the root of the hard drive (generally, the C: drive) called CFSLIB. If you allowed your CFS programs to install using the defaults, moving your programs and data is a simple matter of copying the entire CFSLIB folder from the old computer to the new computer, then installing each program from its folder.

Step 1: Copy CFSLIB

If you installed some or all of your CFS programs on the new computer before copying CFSLIB, when copying be sure to select the “Copy and replace” option and check the box labeled "Do this for all..."

If both computers are on a network, it's easiest to copy the CFSLIB folder from one to the other via the network connection. Otherwise, use a flash drive or portable USB hard drive.

It is also possible to copy CFSLIB to a CD or DVD. However, a CD or DVD is read-only, and the CFSLIB folder keeps the read-only attribute when it is copied to the hard drive of the new computer. If you use a CD or DVD to copy the CFSLIB folder, after you copy the folder to the new computer you must edit the CFSLIB folder properties to turn off the Read-only attribute for the folder and all folders and files within it.

Using Windows Explorer (right-click on the Start button), navigate to C:\CFSLIB. Right-click on CFSLIB and left-click on Properties. Look at the size of the CFSLIB folder. This will tell you how much capacity your flash drive or other medium must have.

Once you have copied CFSLIB to the root of the hard drive of the new computer, you are ready to install the programs.

If you installed any programs on the new computer before copying CFSLIB, it is not necessary to reinstall them.

Step 2: Install programs from WSSETUP folders

You can easily install most CFS programs by running a setup.exe file located in the program's WSSETUP ("Work Station Setup") folder:

  1. Use Windows Explorer (right-click on the Start button) to navigate to C:\CFSLIB on the new computer.
  2. Open CFSLIB.
  3. Open the folder for the program you wish to install (e.g., "PR2020" for 2020 Payroll System).
  4. Open the WSSETUP folder.
  5. Double-click on the setup.exe file to install the program.
If you cannot see the ".exe" extension, you need to change your settings to allow you to view extensions. Click Organize on the Windows Explorer menu bar, and select Folder and search options. Click the View tab, and look for the checkbox labeled "Hide extensions for known file types." Clear the checkbox and click OK.

If you did not use the defaults when installing:

If you installed programs or redirected data to some place other than CFSLIB, it may be necessary to install the programs and copy the data one program at a time, using the program's Backup and Restore utilities.

Step 1: Install each CFS program on the new computer.

To install programs from CD:
  1. Open the CD in Windows Explorer.
  2. Open the folder for the program you wish to install (e.g., "PR2020" for 2020 Payroll System).
  3. Open the Disk1 folder.
  4. Run setup.exe. (If you need a license code, go to https://www.taxtools.com/mycfs_licensecode.aspx.)
  5. Update the program to the latest version.
To install programs from download:
  1. For current programs, go to https://www.taxtools.com/mycfs_downloadsw.aspx.
  2. For past releases, go to https://www.taxtools.com/pastreleases.aspx.
  3. For a list of your license codes, go to https://www.taxtools.com/mycfs_licensecode.aspx.

Step 2: Backup client data from each program on the old computer, to whatever medium is available to both computers.

  1. Select Backup Data (or Backup Selected Clients) from the Utilities menu.
  2. In the Backup dialog, select a drive (network drive, flash drive, or other media) and directory. You can only back up to either an empty folder or a folder containing nothing but a previous backup. If this is the first backup being made to a specific device, use the Create Folder button to create a new, empty folder.
  3. Click the Next button, then select clients you wish to back up, or click Select All to back up all clients.
  4. Click Finish, then click Yes to confirm the backup.

Step 3: Restore client data for each program on the new computer.

  1. Select Restore Data (or Restore Selected Clients) from the Utilities menu.
  2. In the Restore dialog, navigate to the network drive, flash drive, or other media where the backup data is located.
  3. Click the Next button, then select clients you wish to restore, or click Select All to restore all clients.
  4. Check boxes for other options, then click Finish to restore.

For more information on using the Backup and Restore utilities, see How do I back up/restore my data?

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