Hello, I am trying to save my 1st tax file and it will not let me. It states "File not found" "Check the filename and try again" I have been using turbo tax for years.

[Carl]

Are you using the CD/Desktop version of TurboTax installed on a Windows 10 computer?

[Carl]

Can’t save my return to my Windows 10 computer.

Click the start button and above that button click the settings icon, which is the little gear wheel, to open the settings applet.

Scroll to the bottom and click the Update & security applet.

On the left, select Windows Security

Under “Protection Areas” click Virus and threat protection.

Under “Virus & Threat Protection Settings” click Manage Settings.

Scroll down to “Controlled Folder Access” and select Manage Controlled Folder Access

If necessary, turn ON controlled folder access. Then under that switch select “Allow an app through controlled folder access.”

Click Add An Allowed App, then select Recently blocked apps.

Now select TurboTax 2018 and work your way out of everything back to the desktop.

That should do it.

[Sherbs]

Thank you Carl. This was helpful, but the last two areas did not work cause I did not see "Recently blocked Apps" appear. Instead, I had a box come up with "This PC > Desktop" and there were a few items there. I clicked a few trying to navigate my way around looking for "Turbo Tax 2018" but had no luck. Also, I can add that I was on the phone with a turbo tax rep who was helpful. What I ended up doing was instead switching the Controlled Folder Access to "OFF". After doing that, I went back to TurboTax and then tried to SAVE it again. It now worked, and I was successful. I preferred your method, but as noted, I did not get the "recently blocked apps" to appear, and then also no Turbo Tax 2018 either. But many thanks to you for the help. She was having trouble finding a solution, but when I mentioned your email, she agreed it was helpful.

[Carl]

Turn on the controlled folder access. Then attempt to save again and it will fail. Now go back into the settings stuff and TurboTax will (should) appear in the recently blocked apps list. It's not safe to leave controlled folder access turned off, if you don't have to.

[Sherbs]

I did what you said, and it failed.  But after going back to Defender I got the same result as before. Nothing comes up within this box as Recently blocked apps. I have done it twice but the same result.

[Carl]

I suspect you may nee to do several "failed" attempts and then reboot before TurboTax will appear in the recently blocked apps list. that's just a guess and the only thing that seems to make sense at this point. Overall though, you have figured out that by turning off controlled folder access it does allow you to save. If that's all that works, then so be it. But I do not recommend leaving CFA off all the time.

[Carl]

Oh yeah, with the other selection you should be able to navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Home & Business 2018\32-bit\turbotax.exe and select turbotax.exe and add it to the access list that way.

[Sherbs]

Thank you. Yes, I agree. I am leaving it on the ON setting always. But on the days I choose to work on Turbo Tax, I will turn it off so I can successfully SAVE. I will also try your suggestion of letting it fail a few times and also rebooting. That may actually do the trick. Thanks again for the help.

[tallyally]

I am having this issue with 2019 deluxe for mac.  I have to RE-save the file as a new name EVERY time I want to save.  It tells me my file is locked and do not have permission . . . I did as instructed to "unlock" my file.  go to the file, click on "get info" and select unlock.  It does not work, I even tried locking and re-unlocking incase it was "stuck" but still having to RENAME my file a new name everytime I want to save!!! 

[Ken5151]

Carl, 

Your fix is still good!  I had same issue with the latest version of the Home and Business edition for 2020 tax year.  Never had it in previous years but I updated my Windows settings yesterday  and couldn’t save the file.  
Thank you for your fix!  I don’t know how people are suppose to fix this type of stuff.  Microsoft and Intuit should have a FAQ and answers for this stuff!

Thanks again!

Ken

[choate patti]

Is Turbo Tax having problems saving taxes with payments?

[MarilynG1]

@choate patti There are no issues related to saving tax files with payments due.  You need to be in your tax  return in order to save it.

Click this link for more info on How to Save Your Tax File in TurboTax Desktop. 

[Carl]

Microsoft is notorious beyond fame for breaking things with their updates - specifically the servicing stack update that comes out about once a month. I turn off file sharing and other telemetry tracking programs, and *EVERY* *SINGLE* *TIME* after a servicing stack update I have to go turn all that crapware off again.

So just because you make the change I pointed out in this thread a year ago, in no way, shape, form or fashion means that you don't have to go "set it back" again this year. I've had times where I"ve had to toggle it with a reboot between each toggle, in order to get it to be telling me the truth.

I've convinced the servicing stack updates don't really update jack sqat. I believe they just turn on all the telemetry the user may have turned off in the past. That's the only thing I actually see occuring with those updates.