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Solved

Turbo Tax Deluxe 2021 Won't Install

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
December 27, 2021
20 replies
0 views

Install exe downloaded from Amazon extracts but won't install. I've tried everything I could find on TT support and via Google searches, to no avail. Details:

- Windows 10 Pro, version 21H2, build [removed], 16 GB RAM, 230 GB disk space available, GB fiber Internet connection

- Anti-virus and firewall disabled (Windows Security)

- Ran sfc and dism - no errors found or fixed

- Ran anti-virus full scan - no threats found

- Ran downloaded exe as admin (no other apps running), files were extracted, C:\ProgramData\Intuit\TurboTax\MSI\TY21 directory and 20211227_TTINSTALLER.log file created (shows no other instance; locking now), then nothing

- Ran extracted setup.exe from %TEMP% as admin, got the standard UAC prompt, then nothing

- Ran extracted TurboTax 2021 Installer.exe from %TEMP% as admin, got the standard UAC prompt, then nothing

- Tried selective startup with all non-Microsoft services disabled, repeated prior install attempts, additional files created in MSI\TY21 directory (no errors recorded), just UAC prompt, then nothing.

- Added download, setup, and installer exes as exclusions in anti-virus and firewall settings, tried again, no change in results.

- Tried all the above with a new download via Chrome, same results.

- Tried all the above with a new download via Edge, same results.

- No errors in Event Viewer appear to be related to the install attempts.

- Have had no problems installing any other software on my PC.

Hoped to contact support by phone, but web page says they're closed - open 5-5 Pacific, which is 7-7 my time. It was about 2:00 on a Monday when I checked, so I feel like I just set a $50 bill on fire.

Download & Install

Best answer by Rip in Franklin

Solved, but via something I've not seen in other posts or when Google searching, so hope this helps others. I made two changes I hadn't seen previously. I don't honestly know if both are required, but doing both resulted in a successful install.

The downloaded installer extracts to the folder specified in the user's TEMP or TMP environment variable. These are usually set to the AppData\Local\Temp folder in the user profile (i.e., %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp). I'm not sure why, perhaps something in later versions of Windows, but installing from this location after the initial extract doesn't work. I created a TEMP folder off the root of my primary disk drive (C:\Temp). The new folder has different security settings than the default temp folder, which may be the issue and suggests an alternative solution. In any case, attempting to install from the downloaded exe after changing the TEMP and TMP user environment variables functioned with anti-virus and firewall turned off, plus doing a selective startup.
Intuit's instructions for doing a selective startup don't work on later versions of Windows 10 (or, I suspect, Windows 11). Unchecking "Load startup items" via msconfig does not disable startup items (why have the option, Microsoft?). Startup items must be disabled one by one via Task Manager, on the Startup tab. Be careful not to disable items you may need, e.g., touchpad software. Also be sure to make a note of any items already marked "Disabled" so you don't re-enable them after you restore Windows to normal operation.

One thing still puzzles me. In a prior attempt, I ran the extractor, moved what was extracted from the AppData location to C:\Temp, and tried to install, but it failed. In a separate attempt, I correctly disabled startup items using Task Manager and tried to install directly from the downloaded exe without modifying TEMP and TMP, and that also failed. The only theory I can come up with is that Windows prevented something from being extracted to the AppData temp folder, even with anti-virus and firewall disabled. Also, because I eventually configured all the "fixes," I don't know which fix, or which combination of fixes, really resolved the problem.

Show previous replies

CarissaM

@Rip in Franklin May be able to answer this for you @tpmolgaa.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

lensgaga

I keep getting message file is not valid Windows file. I have gotten three downloads and all three say same thing. I made changes stated here disable firewall and virus protection. Downloaded file again and same thing. Will not load saying invalid Windows file. I have spent HOURS with support! Did you get same error??

DoninGA

Employee

@lensgaga wrote:

I keep getting message file is not valid Windows file. I have gotten three downloads and all three say same thing. I made changes stated here disable firewall and virus protection. Downloaded file again and same thing. Will not load saying invalid Windows file. I have spent HOURS with support! Did you get same error??

Look at the download file name. Does it have a file extension of .exe or a file extension of .dmg

lensgaga

Yes, exe

coldair

That did the trick. Thank you!!!

SForrestLO

Glad it worked for you.

@coldair

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

jcross1

I purchased Deluxe and reached 5 efiles. My daughter then purchased Basic so that she could efile her return. When she went to file the system told her that we were at our 5 limit. I thought maybe something was wrong with the download because we have done this in previous years so I purchased a 3rd copy but got the same results. We uninstalled both the deluxe copy and the other basic copy but I noticed that when she went into the program it still says Deluxe. How can I solve this?

Carl11_2

Employee

There was no need to purchase another program really. (I assume you're using the CD version you installed on your computer). You can only e-file 5 tax returns per e-mail address. Doesn't matter how many installs your purchase either. After the 5th e-file, you have to print, sign and mail additional returns.

With the CD version you can do a maximum of 5 installations. So if you install it on a 2nd computer and use a different e-mail address when registering it, you can e-file 5 more returns from that 2nd computer.

Vic87

I can't get setup.exe to install turbo tax that I already show is installed

Katina S

Since you are getting the already installed message, the solution would be to uninstall TurboTax, and then reinstall it.

@Vic87

fjhunt734

I give up. Who do I call? Wasted 4 hours already day in “no valid path” errors. Cannot update, uninstall or reinstall 2021.

MoniqueLO_

Please feel free to contact Customer Support so you can speak with someone who can assist you.

@fjhunt734

fjhunt734

While waiting on hold, I found a Feb 2020 post that suggested the following which worked.

Run this Microsoft tool to correct the uninstall problem:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-[product key removed]ams-being-i...

Wish I could have found this solution more quickly.

69-nad1

purchased Turbotax Deluxe from Amazon but cant find the code only the license number. preventing me to activate program

SForrestLO

Please see this Turbo Tax help article. I can't find my license code.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/i-can-t-find-my-license-code/00/852973

@69-nad

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Sensei2000

* #1 simplest solution. see the link to the youtube video especially if you are NOT tech savvy.

it will walk you through 1)checkdisk, 2) scandisk, 3) c:drive properties check and last but not least 4)regedit.

once you've run these inorder just like the youtube video, NO MORE TURBO TAX SETUP ISSUES. good luck and pay it forward...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B38hPw4a7I&ab_channel=MDTechVideosInternational

Wayne1957

Your points 1, 2, and 3, are "generic" suggestions for anyone who might have questionable hardware. I keep my hardware in tip-top shape at all times, so that's irrelevant and a waste of time for me and any anyone else who performs regular maintenance.

That leaves regedit. So editing the windows registry based on some random youtuber on the internet somehow counts as a "simple solution?" Ha ha. Yeah, that's quite a sense of humor you've got. Do you also take legal advise from random yokels on the internet too? I don't. But a suggestion to resort to regedit in desperation kind of explains why Turbo Tax is such a buggy mess, doesn't it?

Here's three actual simple solutions:

1) FreeTaxUSA: https://www.freetaxusa.com/

2) H&R Block: https://www.hrblock.com/

3) TaxAct: https://www.taxact.com

Guaranteed no more Turbo Tax setup mess.

Consider my "debt" paid forward 🙂

Let's see how long it takes Intuit to remove the three links to the real solutions, shall we?

cheez19

Thank you Rip in Franklin!

This worked perfectly for me in my 2022 TurboTax Deluxe installation.

Intuit should work this solution into its future installation download routine. Prior to this, I have had no issues with downloading TurboTax for years using either a CD or download version. This is a new glitch probably coming from Intuit as the install is required to be in a folder directly on the C drive and not on a TEMP folder located in the user account.

Several TTAX tech support personnel were unable to address the issue.

Again, many thanks! This was a lifesaver!

ca924

I had the same problem with the download from Amazon. Called TurboTax support and got nowhere. Found this post by Googling and changing the temp & tmp settings worked like a charm!