topic Re: CD vs download in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

CD vs download

jdalabama — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:53:29 GMT

Have used TT for several years, always get the CD version so can open an old return whenever I need to if there's questions. Was told that for 2023 tax year the CD does not include the executable files necc'y to start but instead downloads them for the TT site. This would result in loss of capability to start this years return from disc any time in the future it may be needed, thus removing any advantage to the product on CD

So my question is...is this true or not?

Re: CD vs download

MarilynG1 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:15:17 GMT

Whether you use the CD or the Download, the TurboTax program is installed on your computer.

After that, you just click on the icon to open the program whenever you want (you don't need the CD anymore). Be sure to click on Online from the top menu and 'Update'.

There is no difference in the installed program that resides on your computer, whether it came from the CD or a Download.

Here's more info on How to Install TurboTax from a CD.

Re: CD vs download

jdalabama — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:53:00 GMT

so if I replace my computer in a couple years will I be able to reinstall TT from the CD?

can I remove earlier year's TT from computer and get it back from the CD I saved?

Re: CD vs download

MarilynG1 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:02:05 GMT

Yes! The same instructions for Installing TurboTax from a CD will apply.

Re: CD vs download

VolvoGirl — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:17:56 GMT

You should use the download method to install. The download always has the current updates. The CD is just the beta version and will need lots of updates. And by the way, you can only install the last 3 years (CD or download). They only support the last 3 years so you won't be able to update it or download any state programs you might need. So I wouldn't uninstall any prior year programs.

You should be saving each year as both the .tax and .pdf files.

Re: CD vs download

jdalabama — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:29:53 GMT

I have used TT for several years, I save the CD along with each year's tax documents assuming I can reinstall from the CD if ever need to do so. You're saying that this won't work for returns before 2020? I won't be able to reinstall the SW if I need to do so? And even if I've left it installed on my computer it won't work anyway?

Re: CD vs download

VolvoGirl — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:36:31 GMT

Yes. If you reinstall an older version you can't update it. And the License Code started in 2019 So you won't be able to activate 2019.

If you leave the programs installed they should still work.

Re: CD vs download

jdalabama — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:46:12 GMT

sorry to be a pest about this but need to understand. If I install from CD for tax year 2018 which I have saved, it won't update..why would I need it to? But it will still open all files and worksheets related to that return? Or it won't work at all? If left on PC from the original time it was installed, it will work?

Re: CD vs download

rjs — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 19:05:22 GMT

"If I install from CD for tax year 2018 which I have saved, it won't update..why would I need it to?"

Because the program on the CD is a preliminary version. It might not have all the forms you need, the calculations might be incomplete or inaccurate. It needs to be updated to work properly.

"But it will still open all files and worksheets related to that return? Or it won't work at all?"

It might not open all the forms and worksheets because your tax return (the .tax2018 file) was produced by the updated software, but in your scenario you don't have the updates anymore.

"If left on PC from the original time it was installed, it will work?"

Yes, for 2018, provided that is was updated after the original installation.