Performing a clean install of Lacerte

Before you start:

• 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.

• In some cases, data may not populate on the Forms tab after reinstalling Lacerte. You can resolve this issue by restarting your computer.
• Removing the program using these steps will not remove the client data from your computer.

Table of contents:

Confirm which type of installation you need (Standalone or Network), and follow the steps for that option. For more information on the different types of installations before proceeding, see here.

Before completing the stand-alone or network steps, try renaming the WYYTax.INI file to resolve the problem.

Rename the WYYTax.ini file:

Performing these steps will reset the Fonts & Colors and Display columns at the top of the screen.

1. Close Lacerte Tax (all versions) and any other open programs.
2. Hold down the Windows key and press "R" to open the Run box.
3. Copy and paste the below path for the impacted year of Lacerte:
   • 2010-current Lacerte-   %USERPROFILE%\Appdata\Roaming\Lacerte
   • 2009 Lacerte-   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Lacerte
   • 2007-2008 Lacerte-   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Lacerte
   • 2006 & below-   C:\Windows
4. After you paste the path, press Enter to open the folder.
5. Find the wYYTax.ini for the correct year.
6. Right-click the .ini file and choose Rename.
7. Add -old at the end. For example, 2025 would say w25tax.ini-old.
8. Close the window and see if you can get into Lacerte.

If the errors remain, continue with the manual steps:

Steps for stand-alone installations

Step 1: Uninstall Lacerte

1. Close all Intuit products.
2. In the Windows Search bar, enter Control Panel.
3. Choose Uninstall a program.
4. Right-click on 20YY Lacerte Tax and select Uninstall.
5. Choose All Lacerte Tax modules and states and select Uninstall. 
6. Once the uninstall completes, select OK to close the uninstaller.
7. Restart your computer.

Step 2: Rename the installation folder

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
2. Under This PC, select the (C:).
3. Open the Lacerte folder.
4. Right-click on the YYtax folder for the year you uninstalled and choose Rename.
5. Change the name to YYtaxOLD.

Step 3: Reinstall Lacerte

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1. Sign in to MyAccount.
2. From the Dashboard, select Download 20YY.
3. Run the WebsetupYY.exe file.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program.
5. When the installation is complete, browse to the C:\Lacerte\YYTaxold folder.
6. Hold the CRTL key down and single-click on the following folders, if present:
   • OptionYY - Contains program options
   • BDATA- Benefit Plan data folder
   • CDATA - Corporate data folder
   • FDATA - Fiduciary data folder
   • IDATA - Individual data folder
   • NDATA - Gift data folder
   • PDATA - Partnership data folder
   • SDATA - S Corporate data folder
   • RDATA - Exempt Org. data folder
   • TDATA - Estate data folder
7. From the Home menu choose Copy.
8. Browse to the new C:\Lacerte\YYTax folder.
9. From the Home menu, select Paste.
10. After all applicable files finish copying, open Lacerte to make sure the program is operational and the Client List is populated.

Steps for Lacerte network workstations

Step 1: Uninstall Lacerte

1. Close all Intuit products.
2. In the Windows Search bar, enter Control Panel.
3. Choose Uninstall a program.
4. Right-click on 20YY Lacerte Tax and choose Uninstall.
5. Choose All Lacerte Tax modules and states and select Uninstall. 
6. Once the uninstall completes, select OK to close the uninstaller.
7. Restart the computer.

Step 2: Rename the Lacerte installation folder

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
2. Under This PC, select (C:).
3. Open the Lacerte folder.
4. Right-click on the YYtax folder for the year you uninstalled and choose Rename.
5. Change the name to YYtaxOLD.
6. Browse to the Network install location for Lacerte.
7. Right-click on the SetupYY folder and choose Rename.
8. Change the name to SetupYYOLD.

Step 3: Reinstall Lacerte

🛑NOTE: Looks like you're currently not signed in. Sign in now to complete these steps.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Sign in to MyAccount.
2. From the Dashboard, select Download 20YY.
3. Run the WebsetupYY.exe file.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program.
5. After the installation is complete, open Lacerte.