Network Installation

How to install ProPay for multi-user access on a network.

Overview

ProPay runs on most popular networks including Windows Peer-to-Peer and dedicated servers such as Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. Install ProPay once on a server PC, then access it from workstations via network shortcuts.

Important: Install ProPay this way if you need to access payroll files from multiple computers.

Before You Begin

You need:

Administrative privileges on the server
A designated server PC (must be a newer machine with adequate memory and processor)
Network permissions to create shared folders
Your license code (provided by email after purchase)

Note: For two to three users, a Peer-to-Peer network is sufficient. For four or more users, use a dedicated server.

Network Requirements

The server PC must:

Run continuously during business hours
Have adequate resources (see System Requirements)
Be accessible to all workstations on the network

Installation Steps

Follow these steps in exact order:

Step 1: Create and Share a Payroll Folder

On the server PC, log in as Administrator or with a user name that has administrative privileges.
Create a new folder named Payroll (or similar) on your preferred drive.
Right-click the Payroll folder and select Properties.
Select the Sharing tab.
Click Share this folder.
Set the share name to Payroll.
Click Permissions and select the Everyone group.
Check the boxes for Change and Read.
Click Apply and OK.

Step 2: Set Security Permissions

In the Payroll folder properties, select the Security tab.
For every user or group that needs access to ProPay, set Allow all permissions (except Full Control).
Check all permission boxes except Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.

Note: The goal is to allow network users to change and delete files in this folder.

Step 3: Map the Network Drive on the Server

In File Explorer, click This PC or Computer.
Click Map network drive (in Windows 11: More > Map network drive).
Select a drive letter (for example, F:).
Click Browse to find the Payroll folder you just created.
Select Reconnect at sign-in to maintain the connection.
Click Finish.

Your mapped drive path will be something like F:\ pointing to the Payroll folder.

Step 4: Install ProPay Software

Choose one of these options:

Option A: First-time installation

Download the ProPay installer from https://paysoft.com/download/PROPAY26.exe
Save the file to your downloads folder.
Double-click PROPAY26.exe and extract the files.
When prompted for the target drive, select your mapped drive (F:).
The installation path will be F:\PAYSOFT\PROPAY26.
Complete the installation wizard.
Install your license code when prompted (copy and paste from email).

Option B: Transferring from a previous computer

Copy the entire PAYSOFT folder from your old computer.
Paste it into the Payroll folder on the server.
Your final path should be C:\PAYROLL\PAYSOFT\PROPAY26 (or similar).

Note: Only one copy of ProPay needs to be installed on the server for all workstations to access.

Step 5: Activate Your License

Launch ProPay from the server by double-clicking PAY2026.EXE in the F:\PAYSOFT\PROPAY26 folder.
When prompted for the license code, copy and paste the code from your email.
Click Download File.
Wait for the "License Installed" confirmation message.

For more details, see Update License.

Step 6: Create Shortcut and Test on Server

Open File Explorer and go to your mapped drive (F:).
Go to PAYSOFT > PROPAY26.
Right-click PAY2026.EXE.
Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Double-click the shortcut to launch ProPay.
Go to Utilities > Display License Information.
Verify the license displays correctly.

If the license information displays successfully, the server installation is complete.

Step 7: Set Up Workstation Access

On each workstation:

Log in with appropriate network permissions.
Open File Explorer.
Click This PC or Computer.
Click Map network drive.
Select the same drive letter used on the server (F:).
Click Browse and locate the server's shared Payroll folder.
The path will be similar to \\\\servername\\Payroll.
Select Reconnect at sign-in.
Click Finish.

For detailed instructions, see Add Workstation Shortcut.

Step 8: Create Shortcuts on Workstations

On each workstation:

Go to the mapped drive (F:).
Go to PAYSOFT > PROPAY26.
Right-click PAY2026.EXE.
Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Double-click the shortcut to test.
Verify you can access ProPay and see the license information.

Step 9: Install Fonts on Each Workstation

ProPay uses special fonts that must be installed on every workstation:

Launch ProPay from the workstation.
Go to Utilities > Install ProPay Fonts.
Wait for the fonts to install.

You must have administrative privileges to install fonts.

Step 10: Set Up Printers on Each Workstation

Each workstation needs its printers configured:

Go to Client Functions > Setup > System Setup > Printers.
Select your check printer and reports printer.
Click Save.

For details, see System Setup - Printers/Video.

Troubleshooting

Cannot map network drive

If you can't map the network drive:

Verify you have permissions to access the shared folder
Confirm the server PC is online and accessible
Check the UNC path for typos (example: \\\\servername\\Payroll)
Contact your network administrator

Cannot access ProPay from workstation

If a workstation can't access ProPay:

Verify the mapped drive is connected
Check file permissions on the server
Verify the license is activated (go to Utilities > Display License Information)
Restart both the server and workstation

License information doesn't display

If the license doesn't display:

Verify the license has been activated (see Update License)
Check that your firewall allows ProPay to connect to the license server (see Firewall Configuration)
Contact Paysoft support at 1-702-827-0015