Error: “Unable to retrieve schema metadata” when attempting to change Duplicate Checking settings

Symptom:
When I attempt to change my Duplicate Checking settings, I receive the Error: “Unable to retrieve schema metadata”.

Product Details:
Product Family: Act!
Product: Act! Pro, Act! Premium
Version: v18

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Cause:
This can occur if the database didn’t update properly.

Solution:
Note: Prior to following the steps below, it is recommended that you create a backup of your database. For information on how to create a backup of your database, refer to the following knowledgebase article:

How to back up and restore an Act! database
Answer ID How to back up and restore an Act! database

1. On the server, browse to the install folder
   
   Note: By default, this location is as follows, depending on your operating system (OS) type:
   
   • 64-bit OS: C:\Program Files (x86)\ACT\ACT for Windows
     
   • 32-bit OS: C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Windows
     
   
   
2. Open the ActUpdate.config file with notepad
3. Locate the <LatestSchemaVersion> line and edit the version to read 18.9.446.0, then save and close the file
4. Open the database and allow Act! to attempt to update the database
5. Once the update process has finished, close Act!, then reopen ActUpdate.config with notepad again
6. Edit the version back to 18.0, then save and close the file
7. Reopen the database and allow Act! to update the database
8. Once finished, attempt to change the Duplicate Checking settings to test