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Desktop: Backing up Your Configuration

In addition to backing up tax return data, you can also back up program configurations. This backup assists in transferring TaxSlayer Pro configuration from one PC to another PC.  The program configuration from the old PC can be copied to portable storage, such as a thumb drive, and restored onto the new PC.

What's included in the configuration backup

The following items of configuration are backed up:

  • Firm information
  • ERO information
  • Preparer information
  • System/Networking menu
  • Prior Path menu
  • Macros
  • Update utility configuration

Procedure for backing up configuration

First, attach a portable storage drive to the old PC. Then, from the Quick Menu of TaxSlayer Pro follow these steps:

  • Select Configuration
  • Select Configuration Utilities
  • Select Copy Configuration to Disk
  • In the Windows Explorer window that opens, navigate to the portable drive.
  • Enter a file name of your choosing, then select OK.

Restoring configuration during initial installation

Download and install TaxSlayer Pro on the new PC:

  • Log in to Account Hub at the TaxSlayer Pro website and download TaxSlayer Pro.
  • Run the TaxSlayer Pro installation file that downloaded to install the program.

After installing the program, start the program to begin the initial configuration process. If the prior year of TaxSlayer Pro exists, the configuration process will draw on last year's information, querying you at each step about pulling it forward.

Otherwise, if the prior year of TaxSlayer Pro isn't installed, you will be asked if you would like to restore configuration from a drive. Select YES, navigate to the configuration backup, and select it.

Restoring configuration after installation

There may be an occasion to restore the configuration into the program after the initial setup has been completed. Log in to TaxSlayer Pro and follow these steps from the Quick Menu:

  • Select Configuration
  • Select Configuration Utilities
  • Select Restore Configuration from Disk
  • Select Choose Location Manually - In the Windows File Explorer window that opens, navigate to the configuration backup created in the steps above.
  • You will be asked to select which components you would like to restore. Check the check box next to each category that you would like to restore, or select Check All, and then Ok.
  • You will be queried, "Will This Computer be Used to Communicate with TaxSlayer Pro?"
    • If this PC is not networked to other PCs also working on tax returns, select YES.
    • If this PC is networked to other PCs also working on tax returns and is also the Transmitting Computer, select YES.
    • For any other PC, select NO.
  • You will be queried, "Will This Computer be Used as your Network File Server?"
    • If this PC is not networked to other PCs also working on tax returns, select YES.
    • If this PC is networked to other PCs also working on tax returns and is also the File Server, select YES.
    • For any other PC, select NO.
  • When queried, select the drive the program is installed on. This is the C drive unless you know otherwise.
  • You will be asked about the prior year path. Generally the default path is correct, but select it and change it if you know it's different.
  • When the process is complete, you will be told "Configuration Restored Successfully. In order for the configuration changes to take effect the Program will now close." Select OK.