topic If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

JReade2277 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:10:29 GMT

I've used Turbotax for the past 8 years and want to continue with 2025 taxes.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

Mike9241 — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:12:10 GMT

W11 is not needed if you use online. however, if you use desktop then your options are:

1) installing W11 on a W10 computer either as a virtual machine or on a partition of your hard drive or second hard drive. These may not work for everyone. Instructions are available on the web. Some say that modifications to the W10 registry will allow you to install Turbotax 2025 on W10.

2)switch to online. see this thread for instructions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/uninstall-products/switch-turbotax-cd-download-turbotax-online/L4awg8jwG_US_en_US?uid=mhssmk02

3) buy a W11 computer. some W11laptops are pretty cheap.

4) bite the bullet and switch to a different app

anything suggested in 1) may void the Turbotax accuracy guarantee. Security may also be an issue

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

rjs — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:43:23 GMT

The tag below your question says that you use TurboTax Online. If that is correct, it makes no difference whether you have Windows 11 or not. You will be able to use TurboTax Online for 2025 on the same computer that you used for 2024.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

VolvoGirl — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:31:51 GMT

If you want to switch to the Online version next year here is some info……

If you used the Desktop program for 2024 here’s How to transfer into the Online version, expand the blue link if you used the CD/download last year
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/import-export-data-files/transfer-last-year-return-turbotax-online/L279eUvY2_US_en_US?uid=l8w7nlbv

And see How to switch and transfer from the Desktop program into the Online version........
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-cd-download-to-turbotax-online/00/859756

MORE INFO on Turbo Tax info on Windows 10 End of Life
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/articles/community-news-announcements/turbotax-windows-10-desktop-software-end-of-life/05/3708302

And it says the Online version will have some new features over the Desktop program like…
This year, we’re offering many new ways to automatically bring in your tax documents into TurboTax Online, including uploading PDFs of 1099-B and 1099-Composite forms.

Be sure to have the 2024 return file ending in .tax2024 on your computer so you can transfer it into the online version next year.

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. And you will have to pay first to see all the forms. All the Online versions do not have the same forms so you may need to upgrade to a higher version. Online Premium is the highest vesion and has all the same forms as the Desktop programs. You can only do 1 return per account. And pay for each account. You can use the same email for 5 accounts. Federal and state are separate fees.

Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2025 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

reycroft1 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:19:12 GMT

Guess I am going to swith programs after 20+ years. I don't wish to change my computer, and I don't want more of my info on line.

Holly

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

prodigy81 — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:40:10 GMT

I have exact same problem now. It is disappointing that turbotax didn't provide some interim period for old/loyal user to use legacy OS (with legacy laptop). I have much more complicated situation not simply updating W11 and it seems I cannot use desktop version of turbotax this year. Note that I used turbotax for my tax filing since 2010.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

Mike9241 — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:38:35 GMT

online can be used for 2025 even if OS is w10.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

RonR0 — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:42:03 GMT

I feel the same way. I've been using TT since 2000 and do not wish to put things in the "cloud" and accessible to a hacker. Nor do I wish to buy a new computer just to use TT. There are other programs including H&R Block that are available to use with Windows 10. Another stupid TT decision by their marketing team just like others in past years!

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

Mike9241 — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:53:49 GMT

it's possible the other two desktop providers could pull W10 support for 2026 returns. This has also been threads of all providers stopping desktop support. At least for the latter, you can wait to see.

you do realize the IRS stores your return on its computers. The cloud is nothing more than online storage.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

RonR0 — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:48:23 GMT

I believe the discussion is about 2025 tax returns and not 2026 tax returns. If other tax software providers decide to no longer support Windows 10 I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime TurboTax is going to lose a lot of loyal customer business they will have to work hard to recover in future years. In my opinion, just another stupid decision by the TurboTax marketing team that will cost Intuit money!

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

prodigy81 — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:37:10 GMT

Sure. But I preferred desktop version because it is cheaper particularly adding stocks (desktop deluxe vs online premier). People have all their different taste of tax software, but this is a bit unfortunate part.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

tnone2024 — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:38:59 GMT

I also prefer a desktop version with no cloud involved, but this is likely to become a thing of the past. I think TT is the only one still offering a program that runs entirely on a PC. Every other product I see is cloud based. The right way to do this IMO, is for the PC to save a snapshot of the return at the end of each tax session, and then wiping all personal data from the servers. This would minimize exposure to data breaches to a brief few hours instead of the years long continuous exposure of cloud storage, and its not just one server controlled by one company.

I trust the security of my local backups more than the moving target of cloud security.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

richardsea — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 21:45:37 GMT

The problem with the online version is the limitation of one tax filing per account. I buy the desktop version because I can file my Granddaughters and GreatGrandKids taxes for them and help them work out the details.

First Microsoft decides to not support Window 10 transfers to Window 11 by opting out of the Window 11 functions that the user probably does not want. Probably AI. I have a laptop that meets all of the requirements for Win 11, including a CPU fast enough(I7), but Dell decided not to include it in the accepted level sine it is 10 years old. Great way to make extra money by forcing new hardware. I have been doing software development for 40+ years and new toys are not always the right choice. I may be moving to Apple, if I have to spend money and I hope MS, Dell and HP suffer.

TT needs to allow me to register my Desktop version and allow me to do 5 returns without setting up 5 accounts. They also screwed with my Desk version of Quickbook Pro that I used to bill my clients.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

RARKLR — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 01:03:30 GMT

Thanks for your input. I agree 100% that TT has made it impossible to use their program unless you want to invest in a new computer. I won't be doing that and will be using FreeTaxUSA this year. I checked H&R Block and they don't have their act together regarding my Oregon return calculation. Even their tax people can't tell me where to enter non-taxable Gov't interest for state purposes.

TT will chase away a lot of good clients over their refusal to create a desktop program using Windows 10.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

LindaS5247 — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:28:18 GMT

TurboTax Desktop for the 2025 tax year (filing in 2026) requires Windows 11 or later. It will not install or run on Windows 10, as support for that operating system has been discontinued due to security updates ending. To file taxes with an older computer, you must use TurboTax Online via a web browser.

You can switch to TurboTax Online using these instructions: How do I switch from TurboTax Desktop to TurboTax Online?

See this page for TurboTax Desktop 2025 system requirements.

Click here for How does the end of support for Windows 10 affect my TurboTax Desktop experience?

Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

user17705080880 — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:50:40 GMT

"Expert" you are aware that microsoft extended security support for windows 10 for another year? I would hope so and I share the many comments TurboTax received about not wanting to use internet for this activity. I don't have a lot of faith in your ability to secure that data. You and Windows are in same boat - sinking!

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

RARKLR — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 18:24:17 GMT

I am not sure I understand the gist of your comments particularly when you say "I don't have a lot of faith in your ability to secure that data. You and Windows are in same boat - sinking!" What exactly is that supposed to mean? FYI, I am signed up for Windows 10 security updates for another year. They haven't made it easy to know those updates have arrived and even with "update automatically" turned on, they do not download automatically. I have to go to settings and check for updates and manually download before they will install. That's neither here nor there related to TT since they have decided to abandon their long time clients and "require" us to buy a new computer if we want to use the TT desktop version. I chose not to do that, and after 24 years have moved on and did not use TT to prepare and file my taxes this year. Because both my federal and state returns are less complicated than in prior years I looked at TT's on-line version, H&R Block, TaxSlayer and FreeTaxUSA. It turned out that FreeTaxUSA was more user friendly and their tax experts answered questions on where to input data quickly and accurately. I could also see what my federal return would look like before paying any money. This was the old "Forms View" in TT which is not there with the on'-line version. And, the federal E Filing was free and the state E Filing cost was $19.99. I believe I won all the way around this year and unless TT chooses to be more client friendly in the future I won't consider returning as a TT client.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

justmarn — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:37:05 GMT

Just to confirm...the desktop version will work with WIN 11 PRO?

I appreciate your help.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

RARKLR — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:44:00 GMT

As far as I know the TT desktop program will work on all versions of Windows 11. It just won't work with Windows 10 anymore and that is why I am no longer using TT but switched to FreeTaxUSA this year and have already filed.

Re: If my computer isn't Windows 11 compatible, how do I file 2025 with Intuit Turbotax?

rjs — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:58:06 GMT

@justmarn wrote:

Just to confirm...the desktop version will work with WIN 11 PRO?

@justmarn Yes, TurboTax Desktop for 2025 will work in Windows 11 Pro.