End of Support for Legacy Desktop Software

Effective July 31st, 2018, all support for Legacy Desktop Software versions ended.

To: Legacy Desktop Software Users

In 2015, Neat stopped developing feature enhancements, updates, and bug fixes for the Neat Legacy Desktop software. Since then, the Neat Company has developed a comprehensive new software platform that performs better than and provides enhanced features for, the latest in document scanning, storage, and retrieval. Our latest solutions allow for streamlined operations on all platforms including: Windows, Mac, Android, Apple iOS, and browser access through our web application at app.neat.com.  In addition to performance and infrastructure improvements, we have taken the most popular features from our previous OS-specific desktop applications and enhanced Neat with new features only available on our current platform, such as:

Legacy Desktop Software Versions impacted:

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  • Windows – Neat version 5.7 and all previous versions
  • Mac – Neat for Mac version 4.5 and all previous versions

Downloads for these final versions of the desktop software (v5.7 for Windows; v4.5 for MacOS) are no longer available for distribution or download.


To: Neat Scanner Users

In 2017, we announced that we will no longer be manufacturing or selling Neat scanners. As of July 2018, all Neat scanners are out of warranty and are no longer supported.

If you still have a Neat scanner you wish to use, then our free Neat Scan Utility software still supports certain model Neat scanners and also has support for non-Neat scanners. This allows you to use our Scan Utility with your existing multi-function printers (MFP’s) and TWAIN-compatible scanners with brands such as Raven, Panasonic, and Fujitsu ScanSnap devices! The Scan Utility allows you to scan directly to your computer hard drive (free) or to a Neat Cloud account (requires subscription). We still offer drivers for the NC-1000, ND-1000, and NM-1000 here: Neat Scanner Drivers


MacOS 10.15.x Catalina or Newer Users:

Neat Legacy software for Mac is not compatible with Mac OSX 10.15 Catalina or newer OSs. Upgrading your OS to Catalina or a newer OS will render your Legacy software inoperable. The PDFs of your data can be recovered by accessing your 'Neat Library' located in your computer hard drive.


Windows Users:

Effective October 2019, Microsoft removed the Visual C++ 2005 and 2008 Redistributable Packages from their website, and they are no longer available for download. Neat Legacy software for Windows relies on certain Microsoft C++ libraries that are no longer available.  As such, upon new installation/re-installation of Neat v5.7 or earlier for Windows, the installation will not complete.

If you are still using the Legacy software for Windows, we strongly recommend that you move your data out of Neat, by exporting all your data to PDF files. If your Legacy software crashes or stops working, there will be no way to recover any of the data stored there due to this update.

Windows 10 & 11 Users:

Effective August 2023, due to a recent update to Windows, the root certificate it uses to help validate signing certificates used to sign software/installers like Neat, now refuses to recognize apps signed that long ago. As a result, users will not be able to install or run the Neat Legacy software on a Windows 10 or 11 device.


Options for Legacy Desktop Software Users:

We highly recommend moving your data out of Neat Legacy Desktop software to prevent data loss. 

Users currently on one of these Legacy versions of Neat software can continue to use the Legacy Neat software as is, however, you do so at your own risk. Agent-assisted support for these versions ended on July 31st, 2018. If your Legacy software crashes or stops working, there will be no way to recover any of the data stored there. You can safely move your data out of Legacy Neat software using one of the following options:

Option 1: Migrate and archive your Neat Data

If you are not looking to purchase a full Neat Cloud subscription but would like to save and secure your Neat Legacy data in the Neat Cloud, then you should consider purchasing a NeatVault plan. NeatVault lets you store your valuable data with bank-level security encryption at a fraction of the cost. This option requires that your data is migrated to the Neat Cloud.

Option 2: Migrate your Neat Data and sign up for a Neat Cloud subscription

Experience everything Neat has to offer. Organize your finances, save time, and save money by safely and securely storing your most essential documents in the Neat Cloud solution. This option requires that your data is migrated to the Neat Cloud.

Neat Cloud features:

  • Capture and access all your documents from anywhere (included Neat Mobile app)
  • Unlimited cloud storage
  • Easily filter and search for documents
  • Bank-level data security and encryption
  • Support for all your questions

All current Neat Legacy Desktop software (Neat 5 & Neat for Mac) users are eligible to upgrade to the Neat Cloud. The Neat Cloud solution requires a paid subscription.

Option 3: Export your data out of Neat Legacy to your computer or other storage solution

If moving your data to the Neat Cloud is not for you, then at the very least, you should move your data out of the Neat Legacy software to save it. You can export your Legacy data out of Neat to PDF files on your computer hard drive using the steps below:


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