Backup file name (tilde)

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
March 4, 2026
2 replies
57 views

I believe I've run into an issue with the backup file name. The name is prepended with a tilde character (ie ~). For me it appears OneDrive does not like this character when syncing.

Best answer by mesquitebean

Expert Reviewed

You can remove the tilde by renaming the file, but be sure you clearly distinguish it from your actual data file to avoid future confusion or conflict. For example:

ZippysReturn.tax2025

~ZippysReturn.tax2025 changed to ZippysReturn_backup.tax2025 or ZippysReturn_tilde.tax2025 or whatever you like.

The problem is it will still create tilde files periodically, so you would have to do that every time one is created. Maybe that's your question--how to use a different autobackup name option. I don't know of any.

mesquitebeanAnswer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

You can remove the tilde by renaming the file, but be sure you clearly distinguish it from your actual data file to avoid future confusion or conflict. For example:

ZippysReturn.tax2025

~ZippysReturn.tax2025 changed to ZippysReturn_backup.tax2025 or ZippysReturn_tilde.tax2025 or whatever you like.

pheffronAuthor

Level 2

Yes mesquitebean how to use a different autobackup name was actually my concern. Or how to turn off autobackup. But that doesn't sound like a good idea since it exists for a bad shutdown of TT.

Thank you for your reply. You can close out this thread.

DavidD66

Level 15

A tilde TurboTax file (e.g., ~MyTaxReturn.tax2024) is a temporary backup or autosave file. It is created by TurboTax desktop. They are intended delete automatically when you close the program, but may remain if TurboTax shut down improperly. It is an emergency backup file if your computer crashes or the software closes unexpectedly. It should only be used to open the return if your main .tax file is corrupted or lost.

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