Payroll.ini - Where configuration settings are stored

Where is it located?

It may be in one or more of the following places:

C:\ProgramData\Sage\Payroll
C:\Windows
The virtual store - C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Windows

Why isn't the payroll.ini file removed during an uninstall?

The payroll.ini file is created the first time that you open Sage 50 Payroll, rather than when you install the software. Because the install process didn't create the file, the uninstall can't remove it.

NOTE: If you have a second installation on the computer, it's important that you don't remove this file. If you do remove it, this resets the configuration settings for the second installation. This might have a negative impact for the settings in the other installation.

Delete the payroll.ini file

Click your operating system below for the steps you need to follow:

In Windows 11 >
1. Click the Start Menu in the bottom left of the taskbar.
2. Type cmd into the search bar.
3. Right click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.
4. Type cd\ and press Enter on your keyboard.
  TIP: doesn't appear and you see a different drive, for example M:\, type cd c:\ then press Enter.
5. Type del payroll.ini /s and press Enter. The locations of the payroll.ini files and confirmation of their deletion appear.
6. Wait for the cursor to appear in the command prompt, then type exit and press Enter.
In Windows 10 >
1. Press the Windows key
2. Then type cmd into the search bar, this will bring up the command prompt.
3. Click Run as administrator.
4. Type cd\ and press Enter on your keyboard.
  TIP: If C:\ doesn't appear and you see a different drive, for example M:\, type cd c:\ then press Enter.
5. Type del payroll.ini /s and press Enter. The locations of the payroll.ini files and confirmation of their deletion appear.
6. Wait for the cursor to appear in the command prompt, then type exit and press Enter.

If you don't have Windows 10 >
Press the Windows key
1. Click All Programs, then click Accessories.
2. Locate and right-click Command Prompt.
3. Click Run as administrator.
4. Type cd\ and press Enter.
  
  TIP: Tip: If the prompt C:\ doesn't appear, and it shows a different drive, for example M:\, type cd c:\ > Enter.
5. Type del payroll.ini /s and press Enter.
  The locations of the payroll.ini file and confirmation of their deletion appear.
6. Type exit and press Enter.

Watch the video

Contents of the Payroll.ini

This is just some of the information the Payroll.ini contains.

SDOEngine=SDOEngine.12 - Required for nominal link. The version number is determined by the version of Line 50
BackupDefaultDestinationPath=C:\Payroll Backups\SAGE1106.001 - Default backup destination
RestoreDefaultSourcePath=C:\Payroll Backups\ - Default Restore location
EBankingEnabled=TRUE - e-Banking enabled, if =FALSE - e-Banking isn't enabled
TextLabels=0 - Icon Labels Not Displayed =1 - Labels are displayed
ListStyleSelection=0 - Windows 95 Style selection Lists =1 - Line 50 Accounts Style Selection
TextStyle=1 - Text Labels on right =1 - Text labels below icons
BackupTool=C:\Backuptool.exe - Path to backup tool
Toolbar=1 - Toolbar is visible =0 - Toolbar isn't visible
Statusbar=1 - Statusbar is visible =0 - Statusbar isn't visible
F3= - Path to exe that function key is to launch
F5= - Path to exe that function key is to launch
F6= - Path to exe that function key is to launch
F7= - Path to exe that function key is to launch
F9= - Path to exe that function key is to launch
F10=EXPLORER
F11=Control
ColourRef0=12648447 - Alternate line colour
ColourRef1=8388608 - Highlight colour
ColourRef2=11796403 - Colour of processing pages
ColourRef4=0 - Text colour for alternate lines
ColourRef5=16777215 - Text colour on employee highlighted lines
ColourRef6=0 - Text colour for processing pages
LastAppPath= - The program directory for the payroll program which was last opened
LastTreeStatus=All Employees - This displays what employees were showing on the list view
[POSTUPDATEFAVOURITES]

EMPLOYEE\EMPDETP.SRT=1 - This section shows a list of all reports which are held in favourites for post update reports.
[PREUPDATEFAVOURITES]

PAYSLIPS\STDLYT20.SFM=1 - This section shows a list of reports which are held in favourites for pre-update reports
CostTreePriority=0 - Filter list in criteria cost centre isn't selected
DeptTreePriority=2 - Filter list in criteria department is the 2nd filter here
PaymentPeriodTreePriority=1 - Filter list in criteria Payment period is the first filter here
PaymentTypeTreePriority=0 - Payment type not selected, if =1- payment type is selected
FortnightlyExcludedFromTree=FALSE - employees included, if =TRUE - employees excluded
FourWeeklyExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
MonthlyExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
WeeklyExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
BACSExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
CashExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
ChequeExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
CreditExcludedFromTree=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
ExcludeOnHold=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
ExcludeOnHoliday=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
ExcludeLeavers=FALSE - included, if =TRUE - excluded
ExcludeHistoricLeavers=TRUE - excluded, if =FALSE - included

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