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How to change the installed version with a new serial number

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

How to activate and update licenses, or change to different versions with a new serial number. This is only for updating licenses or flavors with a new serial number, not upgrading to a new year version.

Resolution

Updating the serial number

 NOTE: If using Sage on a network, perform these steps at the server first. 
  1. Verify that Sage 50 is closed on all workstations.
  2. On the Server, right-click Sage icon that is on the desktop, and then select Run as administrator.
  3. Click Help, Sage 50 Activation, Licensing, and Subscription Options.
  4. Select Change your current version and Click OK.
  5. Enter the new version's Serial Number and Click OK.
  6. Click Help About Sage 50 Accounting - Verify that you see your new serial number noted.
    • If the new serial number is noted, go to step 9.
    • If it says "" for the Serial Number, follow Step 3 above, and then select Activate Online (recommended)
    • Close Sage on the server, and verify the update has taken place at each workstation by checking Help, About Sage 50 Accounting.
    • The serial number should match the one on the server.

 NOTE: You made need to close and reopen Sage 50 on the server after changing the serial to make the update take effect. If needed, a data conversion prompt will appear when the company is selected to open. 

If the update didn’t happen automatically at the workstations

  1. Close Sage and open File Explorer.
  2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Peach (32-bit) or C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Peach (64-bit).
  3. Open the pchans file for that version(for example, Version 2022 is "pchans290.ini").
  4. Change the line beginning Version=to the correct version abbreviation:
    • Pro Accounting = PRO
    • Premium = PPA
    • Quantum Accounting = PTX
    • Quantum - Accountants Edition = PTXA
  5. Change the line beginning with SERIALNO= so the new serial number is listed (capitalize all letters and include all hyphens).
  6. Select File, and then click Save. Close Notepad.
  7. Browse to C:\ProgramData\Sage\Peachtree.
  8. Open Peachtree [Version].ini (for example, version 2021 is "Peachtree280.ini").
  9. Change the lines beginning SERIAL= to the new serial number.
     NOTE: There will be two instances of this line in the file. Be sure to change both. 
  10. Select File and then click Save.
  11. Open Sage 50.
  12. Verify the changes by selecting Help, About Sage 50 Accounting.

 

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