ERROR: 'Queue.dta is in use' when opening Sage Accounts

If you're running Sage Accounts over a network, follow the steps on the computer where you keep your data.

Press the Windows key + E then browse to C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\xxxx. Where xxxx is your software version, for example, 2024 or 2025.
Double-click the COMPANY file then open with Notepad.
Check if the company data paths in the file begin with any of the following:
- C:\
- C:\Windows
- C:\Program Files
- C:\Program Files (x86)
- C:\Dev
If the COMPANY file displays any of these paths, you need to move your data to a folder in the location C:\ProgramData.

If the issue persists, follow the Check the user's Windows permissions on your Company.xxx folder section.

You can also follow this section if your software hangs or closes on the splash window.

CAUTION: If you're unsure how to check and amend permissions on Windows, speak to your IT support.

Press the Windows key + E then browse to C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\xxxx. Where xxxx is your software version, for example, 2025.
Double-click the COMPANY file then open with Notepad.
Note each directory path, click File, then Exit.
Browse to the first directory path then right-click the folder. For example, if the directory path is C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2025\COMPANY.001, browse to and right-click COMPANY.001.
Select Properties then click the Security tab.
Click Advanced then Disable inheritance.
Select Remove all inherited permissions for this object.
Click the Add button on the Advanced Security Settings for Company.xxx window.
On the Permission Entry for Company.xxx window, click Select a principal then click Object Types.
Select the Computers checkbox, select the Service Accounts or Services checkbox then click OK.
- If the Computers, Service Accounts or Services check boxes don't show, continue to step 11
On the Permission Entry for Company.xxx window, click into the Enter the object name to select box.
Type System and click Check Names.

System now displays as SYSTEM.

Select SYSTEM in the box then click OK.
In the Basic permissions section of the window, select the Full control checkbox and click OK.
Click Apply then OK on the Advanced Security Settings for Company.xxx window.
On the same window, click Add.
On the Permission Entry for Company.xxx window, click Select a principal then click Object Types.
Select the Computers checkbox, select the Service Accounts or Services checkbox then click OK.
- If the Computers, Service Accounts or Services check boxes don't show, continue to step 19
On the Permission Entry for Company.xxx window, click into the Enter the object name to select box.
Type Authenticated users and click Check Names.

The system underlines Authenticated users.

Select Authenticated users in the box then click OK.
In the Basic permissions section of the window, select the Full control checkbox and click OK.
Click Apply then OK on the Advanced Security Settings for Company.xxx window.

Once complete, the permissions window looks similar to this:

To close the Company.xxx Properties window, click OK.
If you noted more than one company data path in step 3, repeat steps 4 to 24 for each one.