How to Move PrintFactory RIP to a New Computer

How to Move PrintFactory RIP to a New Computer

 How to Move PrintFactory RIP to a New Computer

If you're switching to a new PC and need to move your PrintFactory RIP over. This guide will walk you through it step-by-step. You won’t need to delete anything on your current computer. We’ll just install the same version of PrintFactory on the new PC and either restore your printers or copy your configuration folder. Once you feel comfortable with your new setup, you could then remove PrintFactory if you would like, from the original computer.


 Before You Start

Make sure of the following:

  • You install the same version of PrintFactory on the new computer as the old one.

  • You do not run the RIP on both computers at the same time—only one set of print drivers can be active.

  • IMPORTANT: If your RIP is also the License Server - See this article for added steps on how to move that before completing steps on this article. 


Option 1: Move Using Cloud Backup (V 6.8.5 or later)

This is the easiest option if you want to bring over just your printers and rip settings.

This method will not include your job history. If that is important to you, use option 2.

Step 1: Check the Version on Your Old PC

  • Open the RIP.

  • Click Help > About.

  • Write down the version number (for example, 6.8.5.1234).

Step 2: Install the Same Version on the New PC

  • Check here for the installers.

  • Install the exact same version you’re using now on the new PC

Step 3: Backup Your Printers

  • On the old PC, open the RIP.

  • Select Each Printer one by one and Edit> Backup Printer Settings

  • Next, make a backup of your environment: Edit>Backup Preferences

Step 4: Close the RIP on the Old PC

  • Make sure you close the RIP completely so the new PC can take over the license.

Step 5: Restore the Backup on the New PC

  • On the new PC, open the RIP.

  • Go to Edit > Backup/Restore > Restore Preferences

  • Select the backup file one by one that you saved earlier.


    Option 2: Move Everything (including your job history) by Copying the PrintFactory Folder

    This method brings over your entire configuration—printers, profiles, templates and the work folder containing your job history—in one go.

    Prerequisite
    Before you begin, install the exact same PrintFactory version on the new PC (same build as on PC 1).

    Step 1: Locate your work folder on PC 1

    1. Open RIP on PC 1 and go to Edit → Preferences.
    2. Note the path of the Work folder.
    3. If it’s inside the PrintFactory folder, your job history will be included when you copy that folder.
    4. If it’s on another drive, make sure the new PC can reach that drive (or back up that folder separately if retaining history is critical).

    Step 2: Copy the configuration folder

    On Windows
    1. Open File Explorer.
    2. Navigate to C:\Users\Public\PrintFactory.
    3. Copy the entire PrintFactory folder.
    On Mac
    1. Open Finder.
    2. Go to /Users/Shared/PrintFactory.
    3. Copy the PrintFactory folder.

    Step 3: Paste on the new PC

    1. On the new computer, browse to the same location you copied from (Windows: C:\Users\Public\PrintFactory; Mac: /Users/Shared/PrintFactory).
    2. Paste the folder.
    3. If prompted, confirm Replace or Overwrite.

    Step 4: Shut down the RIP on PC 1

    Only one instance of the RIP can run at a time. Close it on your old machine before proceeding.

    Step 5: Launch the RIP on the new PC

    Your full configuration including printers, profiles, templates and job history should now be ready to go.


    Option 3: Move Using Manual Printer and RIP Backups

    Step 1: Check the Version on Your Old PC

    • Open the RIP.

    • Click Help > About.

    • Write down the version number (for example, 6.8.5.1234).

    Step 2: Install the Same Version on the New PC

    • Check here for the installers.

    • Install the exact same version you’re using now on the new PC

    Step 3: Backup Your Printers

    • On the old PC, open the RIP.

    • Select Each Printer one by one and EditBackup Printer Settings>Save to Chosen Location

    • Next, make a backup of your environment: Edit>Backup Preferences>Save to Chosen Location

    Step 4: Close the RIP on the Old PC

    • Make sure you close the RIP completely so the new PC can take over the license.

    Step 5: Restore the Backup on the New PC

    • Move the backup files made from PC 1 over to the new PC:

    • On the new PC, open the RIP.

    • Go to Edit > Backup/Restore > Restore Preferences>Browse to the Manual Backups

    • Select the backup file one by one that you saved earlier.



    Notes

    • You do not need to uninstall or delete anything on the old PC until you are fully setup on the second, but does need to be off when running the new RIP.

    • If you run into a license conflict, just make sure the RIP is shut down fully on the original computer.

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