Archived: Sage 50 Canadian Edition - Installation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do I need before I install Sage?

Your serial number. If you are upgrading from a recent previous version, your new serial number should auto-fill.
- For first-time installations or installations on a new computer, you will be required to enter the current serial number. If you need to find your serial you can find it at:
  - SAN (Accountants Edition) Partner Portal - Locating product serial numbers and activation codes on the Sage Partner Portal
  - Pro, Premium, Quantum users Customer Portal - Locating product serial numbers and activation codes on the Sage Customer Portal
  - On CD or in product: Where can I get the serial number and activation key for Sage 50—Canadian Edition?
Verify your system meets or exceeds the system requirements. Refer to Sage 50 CA 2024 System Requirements

Do I have to upgrade?

You must be on a current release of Sage 50 to access customer support for phone, chat, and other assistance. Once your Sage Business Care plan expires, you will need to renew in order to access payroll and other add-on services.
Learn more about our Obsolescence policy Sage 50—Canadian Edition Obsolescence Policy

How do I know what release I am using?

In Sage, select Help, and then select About Sage 50 Accounting.

What is the upgrade process like?

There are three parts to the upgrade process:

Prepare:

Check to see if your system meets new system requirements. Refer to Sage 50 CA 2024 System Requirements
Print the installation instructions so you have them handy. Refer to How do I install Sage 50?

Download:

In Sage 50, go to Help, Check for Product Updates, and then follow the instructions.
Otherwise download the full product from Sage 50: Download Portal

Install:

How long does it take to upgrade?

The Release 2022 download is approximately 445 MB; on standard Internet connections the download will complete in under 30 minutes, but this depends on the download speed of your Internet connection.
The installation speed depends on the computer: how much memory, how much free space on the hard drive, processor speed.
On average, installation takes about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish depending on the computer and network.
The server installation typically takes longer than the workstation installation(s).
If installing on a network, the program should be installed on the server first. After that installation, the program installation can be started on all the workstations at the same time.
After the installation, each data file might need to be converted. The time to convert will depend on the size of the database, how many versions the database has to be converted through (for example, if the database is currently in version 2016, it will take longer to convert than a database in version 2018 or 2019), and the speed of the computer. If the data conversion is needed, it will automatally prompt to run it, otherwise Sage 50 will just open the data.

Is Sage 50 an upgrade or a new installation?

Sage is available as a full installation file or as an upgrade.
If Sage is already installed, the program will upgrade necessary files, if installing a patch update. IE. updating from 2021.1 to 2021.2
Upgrading to a new year (IE. 2021 to 2022), then a full installation file will be used. Different year versions install separately from previous year versions. Look for a NEW Sage 50 icon on your desktop for the new year version

Which machine gets upgraded first?

When using Sage on a network, the computer hosting the data (the server) must be upgraded first.
Once the server has been upgraded, users should not start Sage until all of their workstations have been upgraded.
After the server installation, the program installation can be started on all the workstations at the same time.

Can I keep all my settings when I upgrade?

Most settings will be kept when you upgrade.
Some user preferences could be reset to defaults after the company is converted. This will be indicated in the What's New Guide for the Sage 50 release on the download page.

What are the minimum system requirements for the new version/release of Sage 50?

For the current system requirements, refer to Sage 50 CA 2024 System Requirements

To which version of Sage do I need to upgrade?

Typically, you need the same version as your previous version; for example, if currently running Pro 2021, you need Pro 2022.
Companies can be converted to the same or higher version/releases, but not to lower version/releases; for example, a Quantum company cannot be converted to Premium.

Will I need to convert my data after upgrading?

After upgrading to 2022 a conversion is required from 2021 and lower.
The conversion wizard will start automatically the first time each company is opened in the new version/release of Sage 50.
For conversion instructions, refer to How do I convert my Sage 50 data to a newer version of Sage 50-Canadian Edition?
To convert data from Sage 50 2013 and older versions of Sage50/Simply Accounting see How do I convert data files from old versions of Simply Accounting and Sage 50 2013 to the latest version of Sage 50?

Where to get installation files?

How to upgrade from previous releases?

Can I upgrade by going to Help, Upgrade Your Sage 50 Product?

The Upgrade Your Sage 50 Product feature allows you to move from Pro to Premium or Quantum, or from Premium to Quantum by entering the new serial number received in your Download Notification email. It does not upgrade the program from 2020 to 2021 or 2022.

How do I activate the program?

Can I place my company data on an external drive connected to the server?

No. At the server, data files must be installed to a local drive and has a valid Windows operating system. NAS drives will not work.

Why can't Sage 50 be installed on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista, Windows 8.0?

The Windows components necessary for current versions of Sage 50 to run are incompatible with older versions of Windows.