Installation Guide (MTDify LOCAL Edition)

Last updated: December 2025

MTDify Local Edition is bookkeeping software that runs entirely on your own computer. Your financial data stays private and secure on your machine. This guide will show you how to install and open the software

System Requirements

  • Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 12+

  • Around 200 MB of free disk space

  • No internet required to use the software (only required for downloading updates)

SQLite (the database) is included automatically. You don’t need to install anything else.

Downloading MTDify Local Edition

  1. Log into your account on MTDify.uk

  2. Go to My Downloads

  3. Download the ZIP file for your operating system based on what you purchased:

    • Windows version (.zip)

    • macOS version 

  4. Save the file to any folder, e.g. Documents → MTDify

  5. Extract (unzip) the file

    • Right-click → Extract All (Windows)

    • Double-click the ZIP on macOS

This creates a folder containing the MTDify application.

 

RUNNING MTDify (Windows)

1. Open the extracted folder

You will see a folder named::

mtdify-local-win-v1.0.0

Inside it is a folder named:

MTDifyLocal

2. Open the MTDify application

Inside the MTDifyLocal folder, double-click:

MTDifyLocal.exe

A black window will appear (this is normal). Your browser will open automatically at:

http://127.0.0.1:8000 

MTDify is now running.

When you first open the application, perform a hard refresh to ensure the site displays correctly:

  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + R (or Ctrl + F5)
  • Mac: Command + Option + R (⌘ + Option + R)  Or alternatively:  Command + Shift + R (⌘ + Shift + R)

 

3. (Optional) Add a Desktop Shortcut

Since the EXE must stay inside its folder, do NOT move the file.

Instead:

  1. Open the MTDifyLocal folder

  2. Right-click MTDifyLocal.exe

  3. Choose: Send to → Desktop (create shortcut)

You can now start MTDify from your desktop anytime.

Logging In for the First Time

Every installation includes a default login.

Default Login Details

  • Email: demo@example.com

  • Password: demo123

Once logged in, the first thing you should do is create your own personal account.

 

Creating Your Own User Account

  1. Log in using the default login

  2. Visit:  http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin

  3. Click Users

  4. Click Add User

  5. Enter:

    • Email

    • Password

    • First name / last name

  6. Under Permissions, tick:
    Superuser status

This makes you the “owner” of your software.

  1. Click Save

  2. Log out and log in with your new account

(Optional) You may delete the default user afterwards however it is useful to have in case you ever forget your password.

Changing Your Password

If you forget your password:

If default account still exists

  1. Log in using the default account

  2. Go to:  http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin 

  3. Open your user record

  4. Remove the encrypted password

  5. Enter a new password

  6. Click Save

If the default account is deleted, visit the Password Change support page for recovery options.