TallyPrime stores configuration files in the TallyPrime application folder. If the user lacks permission to write to this folder, settings will not save.
Tally stores settings in:
Steps:
⚠️ Do not delete company data files (
.900,.tdfetc.) – only config files.
Reconfigure Tally Settings:
Tally Software Update: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Tally Prime. Sometimes, updates fix known bugs.
Use Tally’s Repair Utility:
Reinstall Tally Prime:
Try creating a new Windows user profile (local administrator) and install Tally Prime there. If the error disappears, your original Windows profile is corrupt. Migrate your data to the new profile.
If TallyPrime is installed in the C:\Program Files directory, Windows security features (UAC) may prevent the application from writing changes to the configuration files. This results in changes appearing active during the session but lost upon exit.
It is important to distinguish between Application Settings and Company Data. tally prime error application settings are lost
Therefore, the "Application Settings are lost" error does not mean your company data is deleted. It simply means the software has forgotten how
The "Application settings are lost" error in TallyPrime typically occurs because the software is unable to save your configuration changes to its permanent settings file, often reverting to defaults every time you restart Common Causes Incorrect Configuration Path
: TallyPrime might be looking for its settings in an old directory (common after migrating from Tally.ERP 9). Permission Issues : The installation folder or configuration files are set to "Read-only," preventing Tally from saving new settings. Corrupted Configuration File .tallycfgsf file may be damaged or missing. How to Fix It 1. Correct the Configuration File Path
If you recently upgraded or moved your Tally folder, the path saved in the configuration file might be pointing to a non-existent location. Right-click your TallyPrime desktop icon and select Open file location Look for a file named .tallycfgsf Right-click the file and select (open with Notepad). Find the line mentioning TallySrvSaveTSF or similar path settings.
Ensure the path matches your current TallyPrime installation folder. If it points to an old Tally.ERP 9 folder, update it to the current path and 2. Remove "Read-Only" Restrictions
Tally cannot "remember" your settings if Windows blocks it from writing to its own folder. Go to the drive where TallyPrime is installed (e.g., C:\Program Files\TallyPrime Right-click the TallyPrime folder and select Properties tab, uncheck the and select Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files , then click 3. Repair the Application
If files are missing or corrupted, use the built-in repair tool: Open TallyPrime and press Troubleshooting Repair/Re-install Application Repair (R)
. This will refresh application files without affecting your company data. Summary Table: Quick Checks Likely Fix Settings reset every restart Change folder permissions (Uncheck Read-only) Error appears after upgrading Update paths in Frequent crashes with this error from the F1 Help menu Did this happen right after a software update or after moving your data folder to a new drive?
"Application Settings are Lost" in TallyPrime typically occurs when the software cannot correctly access or save configuration data, often due to incorrect file paths after a migration from Tally.ERP 9 or permission restrictions Common Causes Incorrect File Path
file might still point to an old Tally.ERP 9 directory instead of the new TallyPrime location. Lack of Administrator Rights Steps:
: Tally may lack the necessary permissions to write changes to its installation folder. Corrupted Application Files
: Essential files for saving configurations may be missing or damaged. Antivirus Interference
: Security software may block Tally from modifying configuration files. Step-by-Step Solutions 1. Correct the Configuration File Path
This is the most common fix when settings (like email or printing) reset every time you restart Tally. Right-click your TallyPrime icon and select Properties Copy the path from the "Start in" Go to that folder and locate the file named (Configuration Settings, often Right-click it and select
Find the line specifying the configuration save location (e.g., Specific Location If it points to an old Tally.ERP 9 folder, delete that old path and paste the TallyPrime path you copied earlier. Save the file and restart TallyPrime. 2. Grant Administrator Permissions Ensure Tally has the rights to save your changes. Run as Administrator : Right-click the TallyPrime icon and select Run as administrator Folder Permissions Right-click your TallyPrime installation folder and select Properties , select your user account, and check Full Control under the "Allow" column. 3. Use the Built-in Repair Tool If application files are corrupted, use the Setup Manager to fix them. Open TallyPrime and press Navigate to Troubleshooting Repair/Re-install Application R (Repair)
. Tally will close and restart the setup to restore missing or broken files. 4. Add Antivirus Exclusions
Prevent security software from resetting your application environment. Open your antivirus or Windows Defender Firewall Advanced Settings Inbound Rules and create a , browse to your TallyPrime folder, and choose Allow the connection Restoring General Settings
If you have lost specific feature configurations, you can manually re-enable them via the F11 (Features) F12 (Configure)
: To re-enable GST, TDS, or inventory features at the company level.
: Within any voucher (Sales, Purchase, etc.) to restore specific printing or entry behaviors. restoring corrupted company data if your actual accounting records are also missing? ⚠️ Do not delete company data files (
This error typically occurs when TallyPrime cannot access its configuration file ( .tallycfgsf
) or when the path for saved settings in that file is incorrect, leading the application to start with default values. Core Reasons for Settings Loss Path Mismatch
: The configuration file contains a specific directory for saved settings. If the system was formatted or the drive name changed, TallyPrime may look in the wrong location. Permission Restrictions
: If the TallyPrime installation folder is set to "Read-only," the application cannot write or save changes to its configuration. Antivirus Interference
: Security software may mistakenly identify Tally configuration files as malware and delete or block them. Step-by-Step Troubleshooting 1. Update the Configuration File Path
Correcting the "Start In" path often resolves settings being reset after closing TallyPrime. Right-click your TallyPrime desktop icon and select Properties Copy the path in the Open File Location to go to the installation folder. Find and right-click the .tallycfgsf in some configurations), then select Locate the line for Specific Location of Tally Saved Configuration and paste the correct path from the "Start in" field. Save the file and restart TallyPrime. 2. Remove "Read-only" Permissions
Ensure TallyPrime has permission to save its settings to the drive. Go to the drive where TallyPrime is installed (e.g., Right-click the TallyPrime installation folder and select Properties Uncheck the box under the General tab.
, select "Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files," and click 3. Add Antivirus Exclusions
Prevent security software from blocking or deleting Tally files. Open your antivirus or Windows Security Navigate to Exclusions Exceptions Add the entire TallyPrime application folder Data folder to the exclusion list. Firewall Inbound/Outbound Rules if you are using network features. 4. Repair the Application If files are corrupted, a built-in repair may be necessary. Troubleshooting Repair/Re-install Application to restore missing or damaged executable files. Are you experiencing this error on a single computer or across a multi-user network
Here’s a structured troubleshooting and prevention guide for the Tally Prime error: “Application settings are lost”.
In a LAN environment, if multiple instances of Tally try to access or modify the configuration file simultaneously, or if the network path to the configuration file is unstable, settings may fail to save.