TurboTax

File with experts
File your taxes
Experts at your fingertips

An expert helps with your taxes, or does them for you
TurboTax Expert Full Service

TurboTax Expert Assist

TurboTax Self-Employed
Prior year taxes
File myself
File myself
Do it yourself

We'll guide you step-by-step
TurboTax Do It Yourself

TurboTax Self-Employed

TurboTax Desktop
TurboTax Free

Activate your product

Prior year taxes
Business
Business
Business taxes

Get your T2 corporate return done right, your way
TurboTax Business

TurboTax Business Desktop
Tax situations
Tax situations
Tax situations

Find extra guidance for your big life moves
For investors

For 25 and younger

For self-employed

For new to Canada

For life changes
Resources
Resources
Resources

Explore tax tools, get tips, and read reviews
Personal income tax calculator

RRSP savings calculator

Learning hub

TurboTax support (FAQ)

TurboTax community
Pricing

Level 5

Question

How to install 2024 app onto my old computer lower than 4GB RAM?

Forum|Forum|8 months ago
October 8, 2025
4 replies
0 views

After the documents organized, I found a problem. My old computer is lower than 4GB memory.

Is that a new requirement for this year 2024-2025? I was using my 2GB device for filing in the past years.

Usually could we exchange the 2024 deluxe bought at Costco, into an online version?

Now the desktop version requires 4GB and Win10.

But I do not have a new computer at hand.

In the “task manager”, it shows RAM 1.2/1.9 GB, and CPU 2% in use.

I already completed factory-reset to my old computer.

But I still could not install the 2024 app.

Please help to solve this problem.

Thanks a lot.

Opus 17

Level 15

Your question is a bit odd. There are two ways of using Turbotax, Online and Desktop. Desktop is the program installed on your Mac or PC from a CD or download. Online is online, and can be accessed from any computer with an up to date web browser. The iOS app is just a different portal to the Online version, there is no separate iOS app that runs on the device itself.

If you are unable to install the desktop version on your Windows 10 PC, you can create an account (or log into your regular account) with Turbotax Online and use any web browser on any Mac, PC or mobile device. If you buy the desktop version, there is a 60 day money back guarantee which will give you time to switch if you need to.

I don't know if the 4GB of RAM is a hard limit that will stop Turbotax from working, or is a guideline for best performance.

MythSaraLeeAuthor

Level 5

@Opus 17

Thanks for your information.

I guess that “4GB of RAM“ might be a hard limit for my computer.

I used my old laptop for my TurboTax filing last year.

—————————-

I don't know if the 4GB of RAM is a hard limit that will stop…

VolvoGirl

Level 15

And you never could exchange the Costco Desktop program for the mobile ios Online version. You would have to get a refund for the Desktop CD/Download program and then use and pay for the Online web version. For the Desktop installed program you needed to use Windows 10 starting with the 2022 program. I had to get a new laptop back then.

Oh wait! A couple years ago I think they did sell the Online version in the stores like Costco. But they only tried that for 1 year, not before or after. Sorry that is not available now. Check your package or invoice. It says how to install it or how to download the program.

2024 Turbo Tax Desktop Download System Requirements
Windows 10 or later or Mac OS Ventura 13 or later (newer).
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/tta-system-requirements

Or are you in Canada? Canada has different products.

MythSaraLeeAuthor

Level 5

Yes, thanks. @VolvoGirl

Thanks for the information about 2022 version.

I also have an unused IOS 2023 version.

Could I exchange my old and unused version into TurboTax credits?

Do I have to go through Costco to get the refund and pay for the next product?

MythSaraLeeAuthor

Level 5

After you get the program installed or reinstalled the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW). Enter some basic information, then go to the state tab and download the state program. Then try to open your existing return, go to FILE - OPEN

Error 190 for state
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/bugs-and-error-messages/help/error-190-when-opening-file-in-turbotax-desktop/00/26443

@VolvoGirl One more question.

The ItsDeductible will finally end on Oct 21, right?

Could we transfer data to Turbo2025 before its ending-date?

What will be the next donation tracker in the tax year 2025-2026? Thanks.

VolvoGirl

Level 15

@MythSaraLee I see you have a lot of questions posted. Did you get the 2024 program installed? Or did you end up using the Online browser version? The System Requirements for both 2024 and next year's 2025 Desktop program say 4 GB is recommended, but I guess it could work on less.

MythSaraLeeAuthor

Level 5

Thank you for your fast response. @VolvoGirl

Yes, I assume that it might be 4GB of RAM “recommended” and 2GB is also OK for basic running.

Last year I did use TurboTax on my old computer.

Now I am trying to contact the CS team for any possible options.

It is difficult to buy a new mem stick into my old laptop.

Do I have to buy a new computer for my tax filing?

Maybe I could exchange the price into our credits to pay for a web-based version or IOS version.

VolvoGirl

Level 15

I didn't understand some of your post. So were you able to install and run last year's program for 2024? Or do you need to install 2024 now? Also for 2025 next year you will need Windows 11.

As I said above you can't exchange the Desktop purchase for the Online version. You would have to get a refund for it then pay for Online separately.

If you can't install the Desktop program or find another computer to install it on, you can use the Online version on Windows 10. You can transfer from this year’s Desktop tax return into the Online version next year. So be sure to have the .tax2024 file on your computer.

Then next year….You will notice several differences and may not like the Online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. And you may need to use a higher version to enter certain things. 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.