Deleting the desk top icon while keeping the program

[Robbo]

I want to remove the desk top TurboTax icon from my computer's desktop for privacy reasons. (i.e., I don't want anyone working on my computer to be tempted to open up my tax return.) How can I do that while still keeping the Turbo Tax program and files on my computer?  When I look at the folder where the turbo tax program is stored on my hard drive there are many files.  Not sure how I can access the program without screwing up something.  Thanks for your help.  I'm not as computer savvy as I should be.

[rjs]

If you are using Windows, right-click the TurboTax icon on the desktop. On the pop-up menu click Delete. You will get a confirmation dialog that explains that it will delete only the icon, and will not uninstall the program. Click Yes to confirm.

[mesquitebean]

If you don't trust other folks using your computer, you can also password-protect the TurboTax data file, if you wish.  Be aware, that if you forget your password and can't recover it with the password hint you set up, there will be no way for you to open the file, and TurboTax Support cannot help you recover it.

FAQ:  How do I password-protect my data file in the desktop software?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-password-protect-my-tax-file-in-the-tu...

Also, if you have other people using your computer and are concerned about the privacy of your files and documents, you may wish to set up a separate user account on the computer (i.e., a "guest account") that doesn't have access to your files and documents.  If you do set up a guest account, be sure not to give it any administrative privileges.

[Robbo]

Thank you for your response.  I appreciate it.  If I delete the desk top icon, how do I open up Turbo Tax in the future?  I double-clicked various files in the Turbo Tax program folder and the program didn't load. 

[Robbo]

Thank you for your response.  I appreciate it!

[mesquitebean]

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@ Robbo wrote:

Thank you for your response.  I appreciate it.  If I delete the desk top icon, how do I open up Turbo Tax in the future?  I double-clicked various files in the Turbo Tax program folder and the program didn't load. 

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If you're using Windows, go to the lower taskbar and click the Windows Start icon in the lower left corner, then in the list of programs scroll to "TurboTax 2019."    Click that, and in a dropdown menu click "TurboTax 2019" again.

[Robbo]

Thank you!  

[Anonymous]

this is in regard to a windows computer.     while you may delete the desktop icon, there may still be a folder for the program in Windows explorer list (the icon on the lower left will bring up all the programs available)

if the TT folder is deleted, the alternative to open the program is to go to the program files (86)

then click on the folder for the 2019 program.

 you will see a folder saying 32bit click on this.

in this folder you will find Turbotax.exe.    that's what you need to click on to start the app.