2025 install

[jyeh74]

For 2025 home and business, you need Windows 11.  When you install the desktop version on a laptop with Windows 11, but when you try to install the desktop version on another laptop with Windows 10, it tells you to use the online version.  Can the license key allow online if you already installed desktop on the other computer?

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot use the download on a Window 10 laptop.   

[jyeh74]

Yes I understand.  That's why I mentioned the desktop version was installed on a laptop with Windows 11.  The other laptop with Windows 10, it is saying you have two options.  Upgrade to Windows 11 which is not possible.  Or use Online Premier.  But does the license key work for online since already installed desktop on the Win 11 laptop?

[xmasbaby0]

You were able to download 2025 to your Windows 11 PC.    Your laptop has---according to you---Windows 10.   Windows 10 does not meet the system requirement to use desktop for 2025---regardless of the fact that you put it on your Windows 11 computer.

[jyeh74]

Let me clarify once more. I have two laptops. One has Windows 11, which was able to successfully install the desktop version. The other one has Windows 10, which is not able to install. For the laptop with Windows 10, it is pointing me to either upgrade to Windows 11, which is not possible or use the online version. When I try to login to my account to access the online version, it seems to have some issues.  It says your TurboTax online is no longer valid.  Sign into a different account or create a new one to get the offer.  Not sure what that means.  There is one account.

The question is, does that mean the license key only works for desktop and not online even though it’s pointing me to online?

[xmasbaby0]

You have become confused.    You can download the desktop software to up to five computers that YOU own----but those computers have to meet the system requirements to support the 2025 desktop software.   You will not be able to use that download on the Windows 10 laptop.    When you try to download it--it is giving you the routine offer to SWITCH from desktop to online TurboTax.   It is not going to give you ----free of any extra charge--- download on your Windows 11 PC and online TT on the laptop.

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry we don't know how that works if you use the Online option.  Especially if you already installed it on Windows 11.   I saw a post recently about that.  I'll try to look for it.    BUT if you have it working on Windows 11 why would you want to use the Online version?  

Here's some info about using the Online version.

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. The Online versions don't have all the same forms so you might have to upgrade to a higher Online version. You can only do 1 return per account. Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2025 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

[jyeh74]

I like to have access from multiple devices.

What you’re saying is, you can only select one version with each purchase, either online or desktop. But if I have say multiple laptops and each running Windows 11, then I can install it on multiple Windows 11 laptops. I just can’t use the online version once I install the desktop version, or once I install the online version I can’t install the desktop version

[VolvoGirl]

Didn't quite follow your post.  Here's some info bout Online and Desktop.  You can use both Online & Desktop.  But they won't share any data.  You can sign up for Online using a different account.  You can use the same email for 5 accounts.  The Desktop program can do unlimited returns but only has 5 free efiles.  If you want to efile more maybe some simple returns can use the free Online version.  

There are 2 ways to use Turbo Tax. You can use the Online web browser version or buy and install the Desktop program. Online and Desktop are completely separate products with different features and pricing.

ONLINE
The Online web version is only good for one account and one return. But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts. You can log in and access your return from any computer. You only can see the forms after you pay and download the pdf. And you might need to upgrade to a higher version to enter different kinds of income. And you can add LIVE service or Full Service for expert help. In Online the fees are to prepare the federal and state returns (State is a separate charge) whether you efile or print and mail. Efiling is free and included. Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax20xx data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done in case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

DESKTOP
The Download Desktop program you buy and install the program on a full Windows or Mac computer (a desktop or laptop), which can do unlimited returns. And you can buy any version. All the Desktop programs have all the forms, you just get more help in the higher versions. And the Desktop program has many other features over the Online versions. Like seeing and entering into the actual forms. And it has a What-If worksheet to test in.

The Desktop returns are only saved on your computer and can not be accessed from anywhere else. And not saved at Turbo Tax. So Be sure to save Frequently and make backups. You get 5 federal efiles for free. In Deluxe and above you get 1 state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited state returns (in that state). Each state return including the first one is $20 early or $25 (March 1) to efile or you can print and mail the state for free. And the Desktop program is always available even after the year ends. Which is good if you ever need to amend your return after online website is closed or get audited and need your tax records.

[jyeh74]

@VolvoGirl I have the Desktop home and business version.  I installed it on laptop 1 which runs windows 11.  When I am trying to install it on laptop 2 which runs windows 10, it is not allowing me to.  I cannot upgrade laptop 2 to windows 11 because the hardware is too old.  It says the other option is to use the online version on this laptop 2.  I just want to have access on different devices.  So when I log into my TT account, following the prompts to use the online version, it’s giving me error message.  It’s saying the turbotax online offer is no longer valid.  I don’t know why.  I only installed one license on the laptop with windows 11.  So I should have 5-1=4 licenses left that I can use.  It seems like you have to use desktop only and can’t use license for desktop on one device and use license for online on second device?

[xmasbaby0]

Correct.    You cannot use the license for the download on one computer and online software on another.   

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you can not use the Desktop License Code for the Online version.   You can only install the Desktop program on 5 Windows 11 or Mac computers you own.   You can use the Online version on the Windows 10 computer but you need to set up a new Turbo Tax account and it won't be connected to your Desktop program or returns.  

The Desktop program only stores the returns on that single computer.  You can't access Desktop returns  from another computer or device .  

[jyeh74]

@VolvoGirl I am not talking about the free online version.  I need the online version that has forms like schedule E for home and business.  Do I have to pay separately to use online even though I already paid for desktop home and business? 

So let's say I never installed the desktop version and just went straight to the online version on the Windows 10 laptop, then could I have used the license code for the online version with the forms I need?  I need to use online and download the files in pdf when I am done, and physically mail in the returns.  Can I do that with online with my Windows 10 laptop?

I wonder why I am getting error message on the Windows 10 when I try to log in to access online version?

"Your TurboTax Online offer is no longer valid. Sign in to a different account or create a new one to get this offer."  Does that mean I have to create an entirely new/different account than my current one?  

[xmasbaby0]

We keep trying to tell you this.  You cannot use the license key to pay for using online TurboTax on your laptop.  The license key can be used for up to five computers that you own that can support the 2025 desktop software.

Your laptop cannot meet the system requirements to use desktop download.   You cannot pay for the online software for that laptop with your license key.  If you want to use online TurboTax on that laptop you PAY the fee for either Deluxe or Premium online software in order to use online with your laptop.  

Sooo-----bottom line----if you want to use desktop download on the computer that meets the system requirements for desktop --you can.   If you also want to use the laptop---PAY for using online on the laptop.   You will be paying twice.   

[jyeh74]

ok, let's say I pay for online.  It looks like it is a flat $99 but seems like it only includes federal return and doesn't seem like it includes state.

Does it only allow online submission or does it have the ability like the desktop version, to save the pdf to my computer, print it out and mail it in?  And whats the difference between online Deluxe and online Premier?  I just neeed schedule E, and donations form.