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posted Aug 21, 2025 1:39:35 PM

How do I transfer data files on a Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer?

How do I transfer prior year data files from an existing Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer?

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3 Replies
Level 15
Aug 21, 2025 1:41:33 PM

See this TurboTax support FAQ for moving the tax data file - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/data-systems/move-tax-data-file-another-computer/L5fFkMkhr_US_en_US?uid=melv9091

 

The 2024 tax data file will have a file extension of .tax2024

Level 15
Aug 21, 2025 1:44:11 PM

What I would do on the old computer, is copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a pdf file, go to FILE - SAVE TO PDF so you don't need the program installed to view your return. Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them. Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.


You only need the tax return data file ending in .tax2024 to transfer into 2025 to transfer into next year. You can't transfer the programs. They have to be installed from the CD or Download. You don't need to install older programs unless you need to amend or you didn't save the pdf file. And they only support the last 3 years. If you install an older year you won't be able to update it or download any state programs, so you won't be able to open your return.


See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-computer/00/26128

 

Level 3
Aug 21, 2025 10:02:14 PM

Put in on an external drive and move it. Or package up a zip file and email it to yourself. Or restore from your cloud backup.

 

If you are moving to a new compute, do whatever you're doing with everything else.