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Level 2

Question

Cannot install Turbo Tax 2020.

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
November 3, 2020
125 replies
643 views

I ordered Turbo Tax 2020 for Windows in October. My order confirmation says that it is available today (November 3). I downloaded the installation file (w_turbotax_1040_prm_xxxx.xxx.xxxx.exe), and when I tried to install it, I got an error message (Failed to extract archive). What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help!

TurboTax Online

Anonymous

if your os is windows 7 it won't install you need windows 10

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-windows-software/00/26175

if your system meets the minimum requirements contact support.

5am-5pm Pacific Time (8-8 Eastern) Monday - Friday
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

Critter-3

Level 15

"Today" may mean 11:59pm and don't be surprised if it isn't later.

Although the beta versions of the program come out early they are not fully functional until sometime late January at best and many forms including the state programs are not complete until late Feb or sometime in March. The IRS efile start date is still TBD however in the last couple of years they have not opened until very late in January.

jrose20511Author

Level 2

The order confirmation email said November 3, but you're saying that maybe I downloaded it too soon. I didn't have this problem last year. I understand that there are many updates during tax season. I just wanted to get a head start by entering something simple (stock sales) from this year. Helps to get started early. 🙂

JWFawzrulz

Level 2

I am having the same issue. Just a couple of seconds into the install, "Failed to extract archive" pops up.

I have tried all previous recommendations for solving this: deleting "temp" files, turning off virus protection/firewall, using selective startup, downloading from different browser, etc. Still get the same issue.

Discussions say that the downloaded file got corrupted. However, since I have tried downloading several different times in several different ways, can it be the actual file itself is corrupted to begin with?

Has anyone been able to download and install 2020 yet? If so, did you do anything special to get it to work.

Anonymous

what OS and version do you have? also can not be installed on Ipad.

arthurland

Level 2

I'm running Windows 10 20H2, OS build 19042.685. Downloaded TT 2020 file version xxxx.080.0100. When starting the exe file there is an immediate error "failed to extract archive". Here are steps taken to try to resolve this. (1) downloaded with Firefox and MS Edge with firewall off; (2) opened exe file with virus scanner off; (3) ran SFC /Scannow to check system files; (4) restarted in selective mode; (5) went into Temp folder and found the TT installer file in a CKZ folder. Tried to run this and got an error that it could not find the setup initialization file; (6) removed all files in Temp folder and ran exe file again (7) ran exe file as Adminstrator. (8) turned off Windows Defender before running the exe file.

All every attempted fix, still got "failed to extract archive" error each time I ran the exe file. The installer starts up and gets 2 progress bars then quits within a couple seconds. Could be something missing from the download file, or the zip/unzip method is not compatible with Windows 10, or there is a Path problem i.e. can't find the initialization file. I know persistence pays off (not so far) but it looks like the problem is with TurboTax.

Anonymous

don't know if this will work but some say it will. note your monitor's resolution. change it to 800 X 600. try installing. if that works change the resolution back.

NCperson

Level 15

@12309 - the problem described is different than I had. I never had a problem with downloading or launching the software; I just couldn't get the activation screen to present itself correctly. In this case, the software won't install onto the harddrive.

@arthurland - did you try turning off any antivirus softwares?

MrPhotoman2010

Level 2

I downloaded file w_turbotax_1040_dlx_tta_[phone number removed] on 11/23/20. On or about 12/17/20, I decided to install the Software. My 1st attempt failed when the extraction just went dead after the extraction process. That was a surprise. That never happened B4 for the past 35 years. Several attempts ended with the same problem. I went to Search and found many users were complaining about the issue. I called TT and was sent some things to try. All failed. Called TT again on 12/21/20. Got disconnected after 20 minutes. Called TT on 12/22/20 and was sent more things to try. All failed. Called TT on 12/23/20 and got the same person I originally talked to on 12/17/20. I said I was about to buy H&R Block and kiss TT good buy. He said he would send me a file with a new License Code and to try that. The file I downloaded was w_turbotax_1040_dlx_tta_[phone number removed]. Notice it is a different version. I installed the file without any issues!

jerryt1123

Level 2

Been trying to download TT20 and having the same extract file problem. Any idea whether to rename the .exe file by removing the date would work?

eleasa001

Level 2

I found out my issue was admin rights. I was unable to add software to my new laptop. I had to delete windows and reinstall.

MrPhotoman2010

Level 2

Just posted a success story with a new version of the TT file but it posted without the version detail. I will try again Bad version is 010.0101. Good version is 100.0101

arthurland

Level 2

To set the stage, I'm running a Dell with wifi, 8 GB RAM and Windows 10 Home version 20H2. All versions of the TT file downloaded successfully, but when I run the downloaded .exe file the installation gets 2 progress bars and stops with the message: "failed to extract archive". I analyzed this downloaded file with the 7Zip app and it reports a checksum error. I went to my Mac and downloaded the TT Windows file there and copied it to the Windows machine. No checksum error, and the installation progressed normally until it got to the window where you enter the license code. TT would not accept the license code and would not recognize a right mouse click to paste in the code - so manually entered the code from both the TT download page and the order confirmation email. Still did not accept the code.

I have tried a long list of things to diagnose this problem including: 3 different browsers, firewall and virus scanner off, Windows Defender turned off, ran the SFC system software check (no problems), ran installer as administrator (my account is already admin), ran a full virus scan of the system (nothing found), ran the exhaustive pre-boot system analyzer which took a couple hours (zero problems found), switched my network from wifi to Ethernet to download the TT file, used Task Manager to stop the Intuit update service process. None of this made any difference- the TT download file (3 different versions) has a checksum error and will not install. Oh, and I downloaded the TT 2019 and 2018 files which installed on the same machine just fine back then. Same problem- checksum error and failed to install. Other apps I recently downloaded had no checksum error and no installation problem.

This points to something in Windows 10 Home 20H2 and/or a wifi/Ethernet driver which are at their latest available versions. If people can install TT under this same Windows version, then it might mean something specific on my PC, despite the 100% clean bill of health.

rshaw31

Level 2

I also know how frustrating your experience is. I too have 20H2 and it is a disaster with TT Premier. Ironically, I can install, update and the program then crashes EVERY time I go to start a new return. And...before all the folks chime in...yes...went through the Administrator...compatibility check route....completely installed...then uninstalled before and after deleting all anti-virus/malware software. No luck and their support although nice...have no clue. So...what did i do? I completely did a reinstall (clean) of Windows 1909 and guess what? Yep...loads right up and ran with no issue. Is that the answer though? Nope...b/c I'm not going to spend hours attempting to load all my programs...settings and other stuff just to get this **bleep** package to work as it should have right out of the box. I've been using TurboTax for 25 years...yes 25 and I'm truly pissed about this. It's not even the $ at this point...it's the wasted hours of trial and error with a vendor that can't or won't acknowledge or fix what needs to be done...shame on them

Nipper

Level 2

Turbotax Standard 2020 will not install. I can download an .exe file but that won't install either. I am running a pc with Windows 10.

Nipper

Critter-3

Level 15

TurboTax minimum system requirements for Windows - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

TurboTax minimum system requirements for Mac - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

Install TurboTax for Windows - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/how-do-i-install-the-turbotax-software-for-wind...

Install TurboTax for Mac - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/how-do-i-install-the-turbotax-software-for-mac/01/...

Troubleshoot install for Windows - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/troubleshooting/help/troubleshoot-installing-and-running-turbotax-...

Troubleshoot install for Mac - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/turbotax-for-the-mac-installation-troubleshooter/0...

Contact TurboTax support for further assistance - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

KennyMar

Level 2

email [email address removed]

framecrash

Level 2

I've been trying to install TT Premium for 24 hours now. It hangs on "Preparing Installation".

I read that it could be an issue caused by Windows Update, and I just got done going through 'heck' with that, attempting a system restore, and nearly trashing the whole installation. Considered buying a new PC when things went south, but then I'd have to buy MS Office AGAIN, etc. That'd be about $2000 I don't want to spend.

I tried both the disk and the download - nada. Tried changing the resolution (down from 3840x2160) - nope.

I ended up installing it on my laptop - took about 30 seconds.

Fortunately, my desktop PC recovered from this debacle; fingers crossed that there's no residual damage. I guess I'll do taxes on my laptop this year!

framecrash

Level 2

Hi folks -

I finally had a smooth installation of the TT download, 2020 dot 010 dot 0100.

If you read my previous post, Windows Update had been giving me 'heck'. WU couldn't install Windows 10 version 20H2. It's worth noting that my Windows 10 installation is perhaps 4 or 5 years old, but I've been keeping it up-to-date. Or I thought I was, until I discovered the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

See www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

After this major 'upgrade' - which took an HOUR - the WU also installed version 20H2 with no issues. And voila, even TurboTax installed - also painless. Heck - I even felt confident enough to activate TT.

NOTE that while this fixed MY issues, it may not be YOUR problem. Microsoft updates have been known to BSOD computers - Your Mileage May Vary. Good Luck.