Corrupted MSI database issues on user system exacerbated the TT install failure when the necessary Visual Basic Runtime could not install. Neither resetting Windows Update nor running DISM multiple times would correct the issue. Finally, resorting to running an In-Place Upgrade (IPU) via Windows Recovery not once but twice finally corrected the system. The IPU preserves apps, accounts and data (thus the In-Place part of the name).
The quirks of the various Windows Updates and the inherent biodegradation of the operating system leads to these types of situations where things break in a seeming irreparable fashion that requires more extreme measures, such as performing the IPU, to regain stable operation. Unfortunately, the IPU also brings with it new Windows features (aka bloatware) for the user to remove afterwards.
As always, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).
Oh, and as a sidenote. Intuit sold Turbotax this year knowing full well that normal portions of it were not actually included at the time of sale, e.g., sales of stock was completely missing until today. Thus, Intuit gave themselves an unauthorized loan for each purchaser. What do we call taking money for nothing or at the very least borrowing money without authorization?
