For the last few uears I have used a turbo tax CD. If I use the web application can it retrieve and auto-fill from my previous years' taxes on my computer

Unfortunately, no. You will have to use a CD/Download version of Turbo Tax 2016 in order to retrieve and auto-fill information from your previous years taxes on your computer.

Stick with the CD version --it is a fuller featured product and generally will cost you less if you buy it from a 'big-box' retailer either on-line or storefront.