When you buy a new computer, you may wonder: Can you install Family Tree Maker 2024 on both your desktop and your laptop? If you are worried about buying another copy or moving years of family history to a new device, you are not alone. It’s one of the most common questions Family Tree Maker users ask.
The good news is that Family Tree Maker for Multiple Computers is possible in many personal-use situations. The key isn’t just installing the software; it’s making sure your family tree stays updated on both computers without creating duplicate files or losing recent changes.
In this guide, you will learn how to install and download Family Tree Maker 2024, keep your FTM Source Tree between two computers, and understand how syncing works with Ancestry to Family Tree Maker for free using supported features.
Quick Answer
Yes. If you are the only Family Tree Maker user in your home, you can generally use your copy on both your desktop and laptop. If multiple people in your household will be using Family Tree Maker, you may need a Family Pack license. Always review the current license terms before installing on additional computers.
Can You Install Family Tree Maker 2024 on Two Computers?
For many users, the answer is yes. Having Family Tree Maker on two personal computers makes it easier to research your family history wherever you are. You might prefer a desktop for everyday research and a laptop when visiting relatives, traveling, or working at a genealogy library.
Before installing the software on another computer, review the license terms that came with your purchase. Family Tree Maker is intended for personal use, so it’s important to stay within those guidelines.
Once the program is installed, your next priority should be your family tree itself. The software installs easily, but your tree, photos, and documents still need to be transferred. If both computers have different versions of the same tree, it can be hard to know which one has your latest work.
Why Use Family Tree Maker on More Than One Computer?
People use more than one computer for different reasons, and genealogy research is no exception.
Some common situations include:
- Using a desktop at home and a laptop during travel
- Replacing an older computer with a new one
- Keeping a second computer available as a backup
- Accessing your research at libraries or family history centers
- Working from different locations without giving up your research
Whatever the reason, the goal is simple: always work with the newest version of your family tree.
| Situation | Recommended Approach |
| When using desktop and laptop | Install Family Tree Maker on both devices and keep one primary copy of your tree |
| When using new computer | Restore latest Family Tree Maker backup |
| When connected to Ancestry | Use FamilySync with your linked Ancestry tree |
| Protecting your research | Create backups before major changes |
How to Install and Download Family Tree Maker 2024 on Another Computer?
Installing and downloading Family Tree Maker 2024 on a second personal computer is quite simple.
First, download the installer using the information provided with your purchase. If you have already saved the installer, you can use that copy instead of downloading it again.
Next, run the installer and complete the setup by following the on-screen instructions. If prompted, activate the software using your purchase details.
Remember that installing the program does not automatically transfer your family tree. You will also need to move your data.
The best approach is to create a complete Family Tree Maker backup on your first computer and restore it on the second. A full backup usually includes your tree, media files, notes, charts, and other important information.
After restoring the backup, open your tree and make sure your photos, attached documents, and recent updates appear correctly before you continue working.
How to Keep the Same Family Tree Updated
Installing the software on two computers is only the beginning. The real challenge is making sure you are always working with the latest version of your family tree.
A good practice is to maintain one FTM Source Tree between two computers. Think of this as your primary working copy. Before switching to another device, make sure you’re working with the latest version of your family tree.
There are two common ways to do this.
The first is to create a fresh backup whenever you finish a research session. Restore the backup before you begin working on the second computer.
The second option is FamilySync. If your tree is linked to Ancestry, FamilySync synchronizes supported changes between your linked Family Tree Maker tree and its linked Ancestry tree. Many people searching for Ancestry to Family Tree Maker for Free are actually looking for this built-in syncing feature.
Expert Tip
Choose one computer as your primary research device. Before moving to another computer, sync your Ancestry tree or restore your latest Family Tree Maker backup. Following the same routine every time is one of the easiest ways to avoid conflicting versions of your tree.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems don’t happen during installation. They happen later, when the same family tree is edited on two different computers without following a routine.
One common mistake is working on an older copy of the tree. For example, you update your desktop with new relatives and photos, then open an outdated version on your laptop the next day. Before long, you have two different copies of the same tree, and combining those changes can take a lot of time.
Another mistake is forgetting to include media files when moving your tree. If you transfer only the tree file, your photos and attached documents may not appear correctly on the second computer.
Users connected to Ancestry should also avoid making changes on both the desktop tree and the online tree before syncing. Reviewing changes before completing FamilySync helps reduce the chance of conflicts.
Finally, don’t rely on a single backup. Keeping more than one recent backup gives you another recovery option if a file gets damaged or is accidentally overwritten.
Common Mistake:
Avoid editing the same family tree on both computers before syncing or restoring the latest backup. A few extra minutes spent updating your tree can save hours of fixing duplicate versions later.
Final Thoughts
Using Family Tree Maker for multiple computers can make your genealogy research much more flexible. Whether you are working from a desktop at home or a laptop while traveling, the key is keeping your tree organized and following a consistent backup or syncing routine.
Installing the software is usually the easy part. Protecting years of family history comes from working with the latest version of your tree, creating regular backups, and checking that everything transfers correctly before you continue your research.
Need help installing or moving Family Tree Maker 2024 to another computer? If you are having trouble with installation, activation, backups, or FamilySync, the Family Tree Makers Support team can help you get everything working correctly so you can get back to researching your family history with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I install Family Tree Maker 2024 on a desktop and a laptop?
Answer: Yes, many users install Family Tree Maker 2024 on both a desktop and a laptop for their own personal use. Always follow the current license agreement and keep your family tree updated on both computers.
- Do I need to purchase another copy?
Answer: Not necessarily; if both installations are for your personal use, you may not need another license. Review the license terms included with your purchase to confirm what is allowed.
- What is the easiest way to move my family tree?
Answer: Creating a complete Family Tree Maker backup and restoring it on the second computer is the most reliable approach. It transfers your tree along with media files, notes, and other important data.
- What is the best way to keep both computers updated?
Answer: Maintain one FTM Source Tree between two computers and update it before switching devices. Whether you use backups or FamilySync, following the same routine helps prevent version conflicts.
- Can I sync Family Tree Maker with Ancestry?
Answer: Yes, if your tree is linked to Ancestry, FamilySync allows supported changes to move between your desktop tree and your online tree. This is the feature many users are referring to when searching for Ancestry to Family Tree Maker for Free.