PTP System Requirements

Before installing the latest version of the PTP Suite, please ensure that the systems you are using meet or exceed the minimum platform, hardware and software requirements, including service packs, detailed below. 


Disclaimer

  • If you have software installed that is not listed below, we strongly recommend that you review the lists of supported software and upgrade as soon as possible. IRIS can not guarantee that the latest version of our software will install successfully or perform effectively, if you are not using versions of the software listed below.
  • IRIS does not recommend the use of a wireless connection. Any troubleshooting needed will require a wired Ethernet connection.
  • Using PTP over a VPN connection without a Terminal Server is unsupported and IRIS offers no guarantees it will work.
  • Running SQL Server and Exchange on the same server while possible, is not recommended, as it may impact the performance of the software.
  • Certain features of PTP Software (notably Filing by Internet to HMRC and Companies House) and online technical support assistance, require a broadband internet connection.

Microsoft products – end of life

Microsoft has announced that the following product has gone out of extended support:

  • Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 – 10/10/2023

This means that while your IRIS product may continue to work using the above versions, IRIS will no longer test in these environments and will not be able to offer support to customers using them. Remember that being on an older version of any software means that you are not getting the latest security updates. We advise that you are always on the latest versions.

What you need to do next

Our recommendation is to move to a later version of the Microsoft software:

  • Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022

Note: Windows Server 2016 is in Extended Support. This means that while security updates will be applied, other updates may not.

The following table will help you plan your upgrade:

ProductMS ends extended supportIRIS stops support -main releaseUnable to upgrade from
Windows Server 2012 / 2012R210/10/2023April ‘24 v24.1.0Summer ’24 v24.2.0

Click the links below to jump to a section:
Hardware requirements
Supported platforms
Software requirements
Virtual environments
Microsoft Windows 10 EOL


Hardware requirements

The requirements below are a guide; a minimum specification for running IRIS products on a dedicated server with 1-3 users.

Important: The number of applications running on the server and users you have on the system, will affect performance. For example, for 5-10 users, double the specification below; for 10-20+ users, quadruple the specification and so on.

Note: We are happy to provide advice on this subject; however, we recommend that you speak to your IT service provider to ensure you have sufficient hardware to run your practice.

AreaStandalone or Networked ClientNetworked P2PNetworked Dedicated Server
Processor TypeIntel Core i3/5/7/9 or AMD Ryzen equivalent
Processor Speed2 GHz2 GHz2 GHz
Memory (RAM)4GB16GB16GB
Available Hard Disk Space15GB or more20GB or more20GB or more
Screen Resolution1024 x 768
NetworkN/ABandwidth: 100MbsLatency: <5 msBandwidth: 100MbsLatency: <5 ms

Supported platforms

Microsoft extended support

When a supported platform is in ‘Extended Support‘, your IRIS product may continue to work but our teams will no longer test using these platforms and will be unable to offer support to customers using them. We advise that you upgrade to a later version.

HMRC mandated updates

HRMC are currently updating their authentication process to increase security. If you are still using Windows Server 2012/2012 R2, your ability to retrieve client information direct from HMRC will be impacted. Please ensure you upgrade to a supported platform (Microsoft Server 2016, 2019 or 2022).

Standalone, Client or P2P Server and Virtual Environments Microsoft Extended Support EndsIRIS Support Ends (Release)
32-bit or 64-bit versions of:
Windows 8.1: Standard, Professional or Enterprise editions10/1/2023
Professional only
April 2023 v23.1.0
Windows 10: Home, Professional, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise and Education editionsSee table
14/10/2025
Summer 2020 v20.2.0
Windows 11: Home and Professional editions
Windows Server 32-bit or 64-bit versions of:
Windows Server 2012/2012 R2: Essentials, Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter editions
Note: Your IRIS product may continue to work after the April ’24 release but our teams will no longer test using these platforms and will be unable to offer support to customers using them.
10/10/2023April 2024 v24.1.0
Windows Server 64-bit versions of:
Windows Server 2016: Essentials, Standard, or Datacenter editions
Note: This version is in Extended Support. This means that while security updates will be applied, other updates may not.
11/01/2027
Windows Server 2019: Essentials, Standard, or Datacenter editions09/01/2029
Windows Server 2022: Essentials, Standard, or Datacenter editions14/10/2031
Microsoft SQL Server 32-bit or 64-bit versions of:
Microsoft SQL Server 2012: Express, Standard or Enterprise editions (Service Pack 4) 12/07/2022April 2023 v23.1.0
Microsoft SQL Server 2014: (Service Pack 3)09/07/2024
Microsoft SQL Server 2022
Note: Supported from the April 2023 release v23.1
08/01/2030
Microsoft SQL Server 64-bit versions of:
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (Service Pack 2)14/07/2026
Microsoft SQL Server 201712/10/2027
Microsoft SQL Server 201908/01/2030

Note: Microsoft SQL Server Express is only recommended for installations of up to six users. Express versions of SQL Server have a database size limit of 10GB.
Important: Customers who have over 10 users SHOULD use either Workgroup (only available in SQL 2012), Standard or Enterprise versions of SQL Server.


Software requirements

Microsoft runtime updates

To support the latest security updates provided by Microsoft, our Spring 2024 release will include the latest version of MSVC (C++ runtime). We recommend that you download and install this MSVC version on all machines running the PTP Suite ahead of the Spring release due in April, as this will save time during the workstation update phase. Click here to download the latest MSVC version. 

AreaRequirementsMicrosoft Extended Support EndsIRIS Support Ends (Release)
.NET FrameworkVersion 4.6 for:
Tax Platform and Tax Expense (installation files are shipped with the product)
To install .NET 4.8, click here.
To install MSVC 2019, click here.
PTP Accounts Production Microsoft Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 as a minimum
TLS (Transport Security Layers)IRIS supports TLS1.2 from v22.2 (Summer 2022)
Microsoft OfficePTP will work with packages where there are installed versions of the Microsoft Office 365 products.
Office 365 Enterprise E3
Office 365 Enterprise E5
Office 365 Home
Office 365 Personal
Office Home & Student 2016 for PC
Office 365 Business, Officer 365 Business Premium
Office 365 Nonprofit Business Premium
Office 365 Proplus
Office 365 Nonprofit E3
Office 365 Nonprofit E5
Office 365 Education E5
Microsoft Office 2010 (Service Pack 1)13/10/2020
click here
Spring 2021 v21.1.0
Microsoft Office 2013 11/4/2023Summer 2023 v23.2.0
Microsoft Office 201614/10/2025
Microsoft Office 201914/10/2025
Microsoft Office 365
Anti-Virus and Firewall ProtectionSome anti-virus software or firewall protection may prevent successful installations of PTP software. In some cases, the anti-virus or firewall software may need disabling while the installation is running. If you require assistance with this, please contact your anti-virus or firewall software supplier.

Important: Installed versions of Office apps are compatible with IRIS Software; their browser based equivalents are not.


Virtual environments

We test our products in virtual environments including PCs (HyperV) and Terminal Services along with virtualised hardware i.e. Server/Terminal Server(s)/configuration clusters.

To provide optimum performance in a virtualised cluster, our recommended setup is to have the Application, SQL and Terminal Server/s on separate virtual machines.

We do not specifically test against the following virtualised environments. Many customers have however, stated that they use these environments without a problem:

  • Citrix
  • VMWare
  • Remote Apps

If you do come across an issue, we will try and help you narrow down the area in the virtual
environment that is causing the problem but cannot guarantee resolution in any untested platforms.

Remote Access including Terminal Server access
Remote access to PCs, Servers and Terminal Servers is tested via Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection on all supported platforms.


Microsoft Windows 10 EOL (end of life)

Enter WINVER<CR> in the search box to identify the Edition and version of Windows 10 on your PC. In general, if Windows Updates are enabled you can expect the version of your Windows 10 to be updated automatically.

Windows 10 is identified by both Edition and Version details. End of Life (EOL) details differ between Editions. The table below defines where those Editions and Versions sit in terms of End of Service with regards to the Microsoft Modern Life Cycle Policy which our own Support policy follows.

Note: While IRIS products may continue to work using an EOL operating system, they will not be tested in these environments and we will not be able to offer support to customers using them.

Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14 2025. The current version 22H2 will be the final version and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date. Existing LTSC releases will continue to receive updates beyond that date based on their specific lifecycles.

Windows 10 version historyDate of availability End of service for Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editionsEnd of service for Enterprise and Education editions
Version 22H2 – final version18/10/202214/10/202514/10/2025
Version 21H216/11/202113/06/202311/06/2024
Version 21H118/05/202113/12/202213/12/2022
Version 20H220/10/202010/05/202209/05/2023
Version 200427/05/202014/12/202114/12/2021
Version 190912/11/201911/5/202110/05/2022*
Version 190321/05/201908/12/202008/12/2020
Version 180913/11/201810/11/202011/05/2021*
Version 180330/04/201812/11/201911/05/2020
Version 170917/10/201709/04/201913/10/2020

* Serviced for 30 months from release date per policy updated at September 6, 2018.