topic in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Elisah — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:16:49 GMT

After downloading and installing with no errors, I click on the TT icon and get an error msg " Looks like we've run into an error We're sorry but we need to close TurboTax...." I tried all the suggestions on the help websites: Run as Admin/compatibility, uninstall/reinstall, turn of all defender and virus protection, run file scan, run in selected start up. Nothing changes, I still get the "looks like" box. Any more ideas? or a better desktop tax program?

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

SteamTrain — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 23:53:18 GMT

I hit that on my laptop installation late last week.

I rebooted the computer and tried again....that error message showed up again. I ignored it for about 5 seconds, and then it disappeared and I was able to continue.

One or two of my installation screens opened up behind the starting installation screen, so if it looks like it's stopped, make sure you move whatever is on top around to show what's behind. (might not happen to everyone)

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Elisah — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:49:34 GMT

The installation process ended with a "success" method. But when I try to run the .exe, I get the error. I can move the error msg aside but it does not run.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

SteamTrain — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:37:41 GMT

Well...apparently you have to rely on Customer Support:

How do I contact TurboTax?

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Elisah — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 20:53:42 GMT

Thanks for your reply and the link to the support contact page.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17674120647 — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:49:53 GMT

Hello,

I keep running into same problem. Did you find a solution to this error (inability to run the program after a "successful " installation)

Thanks!

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Elisah — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:30:57 GMT

The fix for me was to uninstall all of the the Microsoft Visual C++ files, I had more than just the redistribution versions, and reinstall the redistribution.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Bjusten — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:14:34 GMT

I had the same problem. I uninstalled all of the Microsodt Visual C installations and was able to install TurboTax 2025 Premier. After I successfully installed Turbotax I went back to y installed apps and Microsoft Visual C was back as installed with the same date as TurboTax 2025.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Jedis — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:11:40 GMT

This is an issue for me. I uninstalled all C++ redist, rebooted. Started the installer, it asked to install 2022 C++ x64, installed. It tries to launch and never comes up. When I try again, I get the message the EXE file cannot be found, even though I am looking at it in the directory. Disabled ESET and MBAM with the same result.

Something is definitely up. I redownloaded it and removed/reinstalled with the same results.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

Jedis — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:05:53 GMT

Figured it out. TurboTax.exe was flagged as a virus by Windows, not my ESET or MBAM.

I had to open the Registry and delete this key. Then the program launched:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\turbotax.exe

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17692168943 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:10:42 GMT

Not launching for me either. I tried the options above, reinstalling, removing C++ and letting turbotax install it, tried installing the newest version, turned off the firewall, turned off antivirus, checked for the registry entry. Nothing is working. Please provide assistance

Thank you

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

azureduck88 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:14:29 GMT

Same issue happened to me today. Not only my Turbotax 2025, but also my previous Turbotax 2024 cannot load today and reported the same message as the first reporter above. How to resolve this issue?

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

azureduck88 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:40:57 GMT

I resolved this issue by trying to uninstall Visual C++ distributions in my system but choose "repair" when the window pops up. I have two distribution versions, and I did this to both versions. After rebooting, Turbotax 2025 can load again. Hope this can help others with similar issues.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

tk10935 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:39:47 GMT

Can you tell me a little more about what you did. I have the same problem and don't know how to do what you described. Could you possibly send a help link?

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

azureduck88 — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 20:07:23 GMT

Step 1: choose "uninstall"

Step 2: choose "repair" when this window pops up

Step 3: Do above steps for each of VC++ distributions (in my case two). Then reboot your computer. Good luck!

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17693064887 — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 02:15:19 GMT

Hat Tip and Thanks

Repair (Change) worked perfect except I had Visual C++ redistributions all the way back to 2008. It was (x64) of the 2015-2022 redistributions that caused the problem. Shouldn't Intuit be installing the redistributions they are using with their software to make sure everything is working? This is not something users should be expected to figure out.

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17694532843 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:55:15 GMT

Same problem - I am not finding Support that are knowledgeable on Macs eg one agent had never heard 'Sequoia' before and asked me what that was and to spell it

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17694532843 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:57:01 GMT

I have not found a way to resolve this - have you?

I see posts about removing Visual Studio but I do not have that app

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17694532843 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:58:34 GMT

I am having the same issue

I don't have Microsoft Visual program listed, so removing that is not an option - any other solutions out there?

Re: Unable to start TurboTax 2025 Desktop after installation

user17694532843 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:26:40 GMT

Called Support, after a 25 minute hold the agent cut the call off after offering me a refund as they were unsure how to help? Anyone know how to get technical support attention?