This article explains how to operate Lacerte in a Windows environment, including the recommended settings.
In a traditional server/workstation environment, the recommended settings are:
- Install the program locally on each workstation with the data and options stored on the file server.
- Download updates to the System File Path so users don't need to be out of the program to perform an update.
- It's recommended that updates are scheduled for installation after hours when no one is in the program.
- After the setup folder has been updated, users are prompted to install the update upon opening the program.
- In Primary Options, set and apply the following user options to prevent any accidental updates:
- On the Setup tab, in the Program Options section, turn on Disable Lacerte Update Notification.
- In Trustee Rights, remove Lacerte update rights for the Default Rights user as well as all other users except the program administrator.
Lacerte update schedule
During tax season, Lacerte updates are on a twice a week release schedule and update on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Out-of-season updates are scheduled once a week on Wednesdays.
- Early in season, there are typically more updates due to form approvals.
- Occasionally, e-filed returns will be rejected with instructions that they can't be e-filed until the program is updated. In that case, you'll need to wait for the program update to e-file.
Recommended schedule
- Set the Lacerte Update Scheduler to download updates once a week on Friday. This captures all updates for the week. Or, set it to check for updates nightly.
- Once updates have been downloaded and pushed to the Setup folder, users will be prompted to install the update as they either exit or enter the program.
How to make configuration changes
The install should take place at a workstation and not locally at the file server. Before performing the install, the following information should be known:
- The mapped drive for the Shared File Path where the options and setup files will be stored.
- The mapped drive for the Data Path (if different from the Shared File Path).
- All users must be out of the program for the changes to take effect.
- It's recommended changes are made after hours when no users are in the program.
To disable Lacerte Update Notifications
- From the Settings menu, select Primary Options.
- Click the Setup tab.
- Under Program Options, set Lacerte Update Notification setting to Disabled.
- Click OK.
- In the Confirmation window the Update Method should be Current changes only. Click Yes.
- An informational window will appear stating that all users must be out of the program for the changes to take effect. Don't click OK until you have verified all users are out of the program.
- This change is module specific and will need to be made in each module.
To remove the trustee right to download updates
- From the Settings menu, select Primary Options.
- Click the Trustee Rights tab.
- For the Default Rights user and each user listed, delete the checkmark next to Lacerte Updates.
- This will prevent non-administrator users from downloading updates.
- Click OK.
- In the Confirmation window the Update Method should be Current changes only. Click Yes.
- An informational window will appear stating that all users must be out of the program for the changes to take effect. Don't click OK until you have verified all users are out of the program.
- This change applies to all modules and will only need to be made once.
To set the Lacerte Update Scheduler for Friday at the end of the workday
The Lacerte Update Scheduler should only be run on one machine as set up by the program administrator.
- Click on the Start menu and go to Lacerte and then click on Update Scheduler.
- By default it is set to run Weekly at 2:00 AM which is the recommended schedule.
- If the alternate schedule is preferred, change the recurrence pattern to Daily.
Troubleshooting
If users are prompted to update outside the scheduled times, check the following:
- Make sure users aren't changing their System File Path to a local drive. This commonly occurs for users who are on laptops and take them out into the field. It's recommended users don't perform any updates while off the network.
- Check trustee rights in primary options and verify for all users, except the program administrator, that they don't have rights to check for updates.
- Make sure the update scheduler is set to the correct update schedule.
- If the Update Scheduler isn’t downloading updates when scheduled, check the firewall. Change as needed whether updsched.exe is allowed to access the internet.
