topic Transferring 2025 files to a new PC in After you file

Transferring 2025 files to a new PC

Gablestime — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:06:32 GMT

I created two 2025 tax forms on a Windows 11 PC for myself and daughter and filed them successfully. I now have a new replacement Windows 11 PC. I've copied the .tax2025 files form the old PC to the new PC but TurboxTax on the new PC does not find them or will not allow me to open them manually through File Explorer.

How do you transfer completed 2025 returns on one PC to a new replacement PC so I can open them up if needed.

Re: Transferring 2025 files to a new PC

VolvoGirl — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:27:15 GMT

What happens when you try to open one, go up to File-Open? Do you get an error code or message? Did you get the program installed ok on the new computer and activated with the 16 digit License Code? Can you start a brand new return to test? Go up to File-New.

First you need to update the program by going up to Online-Check for Updates. How are you trying to open them? Where did you copy them? They should be on the new computer's hard drive in your Documents, then in a Turbo Tax subfolder.

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

IMPORTANT
After you get the program installed or reinstalled 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). Enter some basic information, then go to the state tab and download the state program. Then try to open your existing return, go to FILE - OPEN

You might need to start a new fake return for your existing returns to show up.

Re: Transferring 2025 files to a new PC

Gablestime — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:03:47 GMT

Thank you. Following your advice I was able to successfully transfer and open the files on my new PC.

Re: Transferring 2025 files to a new PC

zhech — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:44:56 GMT

This doesn't work. When I try to open the tax file on a new computer, it says that the return only contains federal data (which is a lie), and that TurboTax needs t download the state parts. Since I am filing in two states, I need two states, and TT wants me to pay AGAIN for the second state.

Re: Transferring 2025 files to a new PC

zhech — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:53:43 GMT

Turns out, TT doesn't charge for the second state again. But it's not what it says in the first dialog for downloading - in it, it says that the second state will cost $45. Fortunately, I found another forum message here that assured that there would be no charge, so I tried to go further, and didn't have to pay. I wish TT just said that in the first dialog box, so as not to confuse people.