topic I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older versions transferred to my new laptop ? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older versions transferred to my new laptop ?

richgold451 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:48:55 GMT

Older versions of the application software (i.e. turbotax deluxe)

Re: I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older ...

CassLO — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 17:32:18 GMT

To transfer data from another computer, please follow the instructions in the TurboTax FAQ:

How do I move my tax data file to another computer?

If you need further assistance, feel free to reply back to this thread and we will be happy to help.

Re: I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older ...

fanfare — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:34:15 GMT

anything you want (program) on a new computer you have to install.

Re: I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older versions transferred to my new laptop ?

VolvoGirl — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:36:56 GMT

Do you need to move all the programs or just your returns? Your returns are not in the program but in separate files.

You only need the file ending in .tax2021 to transfer into 2022.

Your tax files end in .tax or .tax2017, .tax2018 or .tax2019 or .tax2020 etc. They should be in your Documents in a Turbo Tax folder. You should also have the pdf files of each year. Or search your computer for all files ending in .tax. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a PDF file, go to File-Save to PDF so you don't need the program installed to view or print your return in the future like to get a mortgage or loan, etc.

What I would do is just copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them. Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

The programs need to be installed from the CD or download them again. You don't need to install them unless you need to amend or open a return. They only support the last 3 years so you might not be able to update older years or download any state programs you need.

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to File-New Tax Return).

Then go to FILE -Open and find your return.

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

If you are moving to a Mac from Windows or to Windows from Mac you will need to install the right program. If you have the CD it has both windows and Mac programs on it. If you downloaded the program you might need to call in and ask for the other download. Unless you have both downloads in your account already.

Re: I have a new laptop and can copy the turbotax files from prior years. How do I get the older versions transferred to my new laptop ?

Carl — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:39:08 GMT

Only data can be transferred. The programs themselves can not be transferred by designed intent.

Your TurboTax data files are located in the documents\turbotax directory. Just copy them to the same location on the new computer. If you have older tax files and the program for that tax year is still installed on the old computer, you should save those older tax files as PDF files and copy over both the .tax20?? and the .pdf files. The PDF files come in handy if you ever need to review a prior tax year, but don't have the program for that prior tax year.