@stevekayak Thanks, Steve. I plan to keep them - no two ways about that.
The issue, at least as I understand it, is from this year (2020 tax year) onwards, TT only allows 5 "installs". And the way install is defined is any change in configuration when TT starts up on a computer.
So - I installed it on my Windows machine (only once). Entered the code. That's one install.
However, I started TT the second time, with a USB drive installed. It asked for a code. That's two installs.
The third time I started TT, I had my external drive turned on. Code again. That was my # three install.
The forth time, I actually installed on my laptop thinking I'll work on my taxes on a trip I was taking. Ok That's a legitimate install. However, that was my 4th install.
The 5th install was when I had a different drive connected to my main computer.
So now, I've used up all my installs. Sure enough, when I tried to startup my desktop version of TT (and I had my USB and my external drive on that time), my code didn't work - error message saying that I now have used up the 5 installs.
The kicker is that I didn't know that's how the software calculated "installs". It wasn't until @garycoryer posted the issue that I realized what was going on.
And that's my concern with the future. I've used up my codes - and if I have to install on a new system in the future - I have to either buy a new code (if that'll be possible) or I have to hope that my Windows 10 build will never die (and I have no idea if adding/swapping a memory module or starting with a printer connected or any other subtle change) will cause a "new install" situation.
Intuit - this is totally on you! Please release a version that does not require activation or fix the activation issue immediately!
