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Desktop installation and backup

Install the desktop edition (single PC or office LAN)

Last updated Oct 29, 2026

Choose your set-up

The desktop edition keeps one company database on one PC.

  • Single Computer: one PC holds the database and runs the app. Run the Server setup and choose Single Computer.
  • Office network (LAN): one PC is the server and keeps the database; every other PC runs the client. Run the Server setup with LAN Server, then the Client setup on each PC.
  • IT administration PC (optional): Server Manager and the backup and restore tools, without the database. Run the Admin Tools setup.

The database is included: you do not install PostgreSQL or any other database yourself, and no database password is needed on the client PCs. Every setup file comes with a .sha256.txt file so your IT person can confirm the download is complete and unchanged.

Check the PCs

  • Server or single computer: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, SSD, 20 GB free disk, administrator rights to install.
  • Each client PC: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, administrator rights to install, network access to the server.
  • Network (LAN only): clients must reach the server on TCP port 8765. Setup opens this port in Windows Firewall for your local network only.
  • Backup location: a folder on another PC or a NAS. Do not keep the only backup on the server PC.
  • Local AI add-on (optional): a CPU with AVX2, 8 GB RAM or more and 3 GB extra disk. No graphics card needed.

Install the server (or single computer)

  1. Run the Server setup as Administrator. Choose the program folder, then Single Computer or LAN Server.
  2. Choose the database folder and the backup folder. Use an internal disk, ideally not the Windows drive.
  3. Enter the off-machine backup folder and a backup passphrase of at least 12 characters. Write the passphrase down and store it safely: it is the only way to open a backup on another computer.
  4. Let setup finish. On a LAN Server it installs the Windows service "FixedAsset Pro Server", which starts automatically, and opens port 8765 for your local network.
  5. On a LAN Server, note the certificate fingerprint shown on the last page. It is also saved in C:\ProgramData\FixedAssetPro\server_fingerprint.txt.
  6. Open FixedAsset Pro and create the company: company details and the first administrator (name, username and a strong password). There is no default password, and the database starts empty.

Then open Start › FixedAsset Pro › Server Manager. The Service tab should say Running. Use Backup › Back up now, then Restore test, before anyone enters real data.

Install the client PCs (LAN only)

  1. Run the Client setup as Administrator on each PC.
  2. Enter the server's name or IP address and click Test connection.
  3. Compare the fingerprint shown with the one from the server, then tick I compared this fingerprint. If they differ, stop and call your IT person.

Your first day

  1. Users and roles: Administration › User Management. Give each person only the role they need.
  2. Masters: branches and locations, departments, employees, vendors and asset categories.
  3. Existing register: File › Import, with opening balances at your cut-over date.
  4. Labels and verification: print QR or barcode labels and run a pilot count.
  5. Depreciation: Accounting › Depreciation Run, Validate and Preview, and compare with your previous figures.

Each user picks English, Hindi or Arabic under File › My Preferences (Ctrl+,); it applies after the app restarts.

Updates

Take a backup, run the new Server setup on the server PC, then the new Client setup on each PC. Your data stays in place, and the database is updated automatically when the server starts. Uninstalling asks twice before deleting any data; the default answer keeps it.

If a client cannot connect

  • Check that the server PC is on and Server Manager shows the service Running.
  • Check the client uses https://SERVER-NAME:8765 and that other firewall software does not block port 8765.
  • "Certificate differs" at start-up means the server certificate was renewed or the PC is reaching a different server. Ask IT to confirm the new fingerprint, then use File › Connection Settings › Test connection.

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