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AutoCount Payroll restore error: "cannot open backup file …\Payroll\Backup\$$ APP$$.$$$"

Payroll needs to run as administrator to write its restore work file under Program Files.

Updated 2026-10-12 · autocount-payrollrestorepermissions

Symptom. Restoring a backup fails with cannot open backup file C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCount\Payroll\Backup$$_APP$$.$$$.

Cause. Payroll writes a temporary file under Program Files during a restore, and Windows only allows that when the program runs as administrator.

Fix.

  1. Right-click the Payroll shortcut → Properties → Compatibility.
  2. Tick Run this program as an administrator, then Apply and OK.
  3. Open Payroll again and run the restore.

Written by Chantch from the vendor documentation. Source: AutoCount wiki

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