Download and install AceMoney Classic

This page helps you install AceMoney Classic (the earlier AceMoney program), update to a newer version, and reinstall or uninstall it.

Before you begin

A Windows PC, or a Mac. AceMoney Classic is a 32-bit program that runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, built for Windows 7 and later. For a Mac, see Install on a Mac.
If you own a license, keep the license e-mail with your Name and Serial Number at hand; you enter them after installing (see Register AceMoney Classic with your license). AceMoney Lite, an old free edition for people who already have it, needs no license.

Download the installer

Go to our downloads page.
Download AceMoneySetup.exe (the full program, a 30-day trial until registered).

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning on a freshly downloaded installer. The installers are digitally signed; click More info, check the publisher line matches MechCAD, then Run anyway.

Install AceMoney Classic

Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the steps. The program is placed in C:\Program Files (x86)\AceMoney on 64-bit Windows (C:\Program Files\AceMoney on 32-bit).
Start AceMoney. The first run asks three things in turn: your language, your currency and number format, and your date format. All of them can be changed later under Tools > Language… and Tools > International Settings….
The program offers to open Sample.amj, a sample data file, so you can look around. Real data starts with File > New (the program warns that it creates an empty data file) or File > Open for an existing .amj file.
If you own a license, register now: Help > Register AceMoney….

Install on a Mac

Existing license holders can download AceMoney for macOS from our downloads page. It is the same program, running through an emulation layer, so its menus and dialogs match the ones on this page.

Download AceMoney for macOS from the downloads page.
Unzip the downloaded file and open AceMoney Installer, then follow the steps on screen.
Start AceMoney and register with Help > Register AceMoney….

AceMoney Studio is the native choice for macOS, and it opens your AceMoney Classic data file directly; see Install AceMoney Studio on desktop.

What gets installed

One installer puts three programs on your PC:

AceMoney: the program itself.
AceMoney Reminder: a small program with a green icon in the notification area (the tray). It watches one data file, shows the bills that are due, and can open AceMoney on the Schedule page. Right-click the icon for View bills…, Start AceMoney…, Options… (start with Windows, start minimized, and which Data file to watch) and Exit. If the data file has a password, the Reminder asks for it.
AceMoney Importer: lets a QIF, OFX, QFX or OFC download link on your bank’s website open straight into AceMoney from the browser.

Update to a new version

Back up first: Tools > Backup… > Backup now, or copy your .amj file.
Close AceMoney.
Exit AceMoney Reminder: right-click the green tray icon and choose Exit. The installer cannot replace a program that is running.
Run the new installer over the old version. Your license and settings stay; there is nothing to re-enter.

Every version opens files made by older versions. To see whether an update exists, use Help > Check for updates…; the program also checks at startup while Check for program updates is ticked in Tools > Options….

Reinstall on the same computer

After a Windows reset or a fresh installation of Windows: install AceMoney from the downloads page, enter your license with Help > Register AceMoney…, then File > Open your .amj file. A file created on this same computer opens directly. If the computer was renamed, or the file came from another computer, see Move AceMoney Classic to a new computer.

Uninstall AceMoney Classic

Windows Settings > Apps > AceMoney > Uninstall (Control Panel > Programs on older Windows). This removes AceMoney, AceMoney Reminder and AceMoney Importer. Your data file is not removed: it stays where you saved it (usually Documents), together with your backups.

Common questions

What is the difference between AceMoney Lite and AceMoney?

AceMoney Lite is an old free edition for people who already have it; it is no longer offered for download. It needs no registration and has no time limit, but holds two accounts at most. Everything else is the same: pages, reports, import and export, investments, calculators, 39 languages. Lite cannot pair with AceMoney Receipts. A file with more than two accounts opens in Lite but cannot be saved, and auto-save is switched off for it. The full program has unlimited accounts and needs a license after its 30-day trial. Licenses are no longer sold, so a new user’s choice today is the Free version of AceMoney Studio.

Can I install both editions?

Install one. Lite and the full program use the same data file format; the full program installs over Lite, and the same file opens in either (with Lite’s two-account limit).

Does AceMoney Classic run on Windows 11?

It is built for Windows 7 and later and runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Can I run AceMoney Classic on a Mac?

Yes. Existing license holders can download AceMoney for macOS from the downloads page; it runs through an emulation layer. AceMoney Studio runs natively on macOS and opens your AceMoney Classic data file directly; see Install AceMoney Studio on desktop.

Does installing need the internet?

No. Installation and registration work offline. The internet is needed only for updates, online bank downloads, quotes and exchange rates, and pairing with AceMoney Receipts.

Can I install it on more than one computer?

A license is for one user on one computer. You can move it to a new computer (see Move AceMoney Classic to a new computer), but not run it on two computers at the same time.

Where is the built-in help?

Help > Help Topics (F1) opens the online help in your browser and Help > Online Tutorial… opens the tutorial; both need the internet. Help > What’s new… lists the changes in each version.

Which languages are available?

39 interface languages under Tools > Language…. The online help exists in fewer languages.

Where does the program keep my data?

In the .amj file you created with File > New, usually in Documents. Settings such as colors and column layout live separately in your Windows user profile. Nothing is stored online. See Privacy and your data.

Troubleshooting

Windows says “Windows protected your PC”. SmartScreen on a fresh download. If the file came from mechcad.net, click More info, check the publisher, then Run anyway.
The installer says AceMoney is running. AceMoney Reminder is still in the tray. Right-click the green icon > Exit, then run the installer again.
After installing, the program opens empty. It did not load your file. File > Open and find the .amj (search Windows for *.amj), then tick Load last file at startup in Tools > Options….
Double-clicking the data file opens the wrong program. Another program took over the file type. Right-click the file > Open with > choose AceMoney from its install folder, and tick the option to always use it.
The Reminder keeps popping up. Right-click the tray icon > Options… to change when it starts, or Exit to close it until Windows restarts.
The evaluation screen appears although you registered. See Register AceMoney Classic with your license.
Windows says the program needs administrator rights. The installer writes to Program Files; approve the prompt or ask the administrator of the PC to install it.