Windows 10 for 2025

[bwsantana]

Why pay for this type of gamble.  I plan to jump to TaxCut 2025 after nearly 30 years using TT.  I think I can figure out the new interface and I believe TaxCut will import a TT 2024 return.

B Santana

b santana

[NCperson]

TT makes a lot more money on the online version compared to the Desktop verion.  They have little incentive to support the Desktop version but rather best to creative incentives (or "sticks") to migrate folks to the Online version.

Had their product come to market today instead of 30 years ago, there would only be an Online version.

Why do I state this?  For years, I have produced 4 tax returns annually for family members for the cost of one Desktop license (let's say $70, including one state).  To do the same 4 tax returns using the Online version would cost $140 PER TAX RETURN (Including one state).  

[azk54]

It is true that Intuit is pushing the online version.  It also makes sense that Intuit's main concern is the profit they make each year.   I stick with the desktop version because the online version is less robust than the desktop version.  If all you want is one number , how much do I owe/what is my refund, online is OK.  If you want to dig into the reasons why you got that number,  having access to the tax forms is essential.  

[M-MTax]

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@NCperson wrote:

Had their product come to market today instead of 30 years ago, there would only be an Online version.

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No doubt about it, and that is applicable to tax preparation software for professional tax preparers as well as a whole host of other providers. Users are simply going to be forced to adjust.

[_snoopy2]

Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/extended-security-updates

[M-MTax]

@_snoopy2 

Everyone is aware of the ESU program already. You need Windows 11 for TurboTax desktop.

[user17570948549]

Does this situation fit the phrase Poetic Justice? I just checked the Amazon price for H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2025, and I was astonished to see such a low customer review rating, with numerous one-star reviews. At this writing, all of the one-star reviews (which amount to a whopping 41%) complain that it DOES NOT WORK ON WINDOWS 11.  Check it out. It's almost comical. Here's an excerpt from one of the reviews: "Will NOT work with Windows 11. Hard to get anyone to help me. Getting ready to say it was a mistake to buy it and get Turbo Tax."

[M-MTax]

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@user17570948549 wrote:

".....Hard to get anyone to help me......."

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Yeah, and that one quoted blurb should be sufficient to steer clear of H&R Block. 

[Erbjl]

I also have a problem with Windows11.  I have an HP laptop computor which I bought 4 years ago specifically so I could continue to run Turbotax.  I have been using Turbotax for about 9 or 10 years and was pretty satisfied with the results and survice help.  I even used the legal services to get through being audited twice.  Most of my tax information is on the Turbotax system.  My laptop is supposed to work with Windows 11, but for some reason it refuses to install it after I down load the files.  I get some indication that some file is incompatable with the wilndows software downloded to do the conversion. There is no specific indication where the problem is and I have no idea how I can  proceed.  I really do not want to upgrad to windows 11 anyway.  Many of the supposed  software upgrqdes on my Office 19  suite cause me problems as I have several programs set up for my own special needs, and some of the software set ups from some of my older systems do not work well any more.  I am especially trying to avoid using 365 systems (which I have used in my previous work).  They are designed to accommodate several users on a common project, but I am retired now and only working on my own with out colaborating with others.  I would really would like to continue with windows 10 at this point in my life.  Any suggestions would be helpful.   

[NCperson]

@Erbjl - it you are stating your laptop is using Windows 10 and you will not be upgrading your laptop to windows 11, then the options appear to be:

1) use the Online version of Turbo Tax  instead of the Desktop version.

2) use another software provider 

[user17570948549]

BREAKING NEWS

This news blurb was posted last night on NEOWIN

November 20, 2025
Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken
"After provisioning a PC with a Windows 11, version 24H2 monthly cumulative update released on or after July 2025 (KB5062553), various apps such as StartMenuExperiencehost, Search, SystemSettings, Taskbar or Explorer might experience difficulties.
This will occur for the following:
First time user logon after a cumulative update was applied.
All user logons to a non-persistent OS installation such as a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or equivalent as application packages must be installed each logon in such scenarios."
If you are wondering, provisioning essentially is the way admins configure devices as they deploy various settings and policies on a client PC.
The company further adds that Windows' XAML component and package updates for MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.CBS_8wekyb3d8bbwe, and MicrosoftWindows.Client.Core_cw5n1h2txyewy, are what have been triggering some of the observed problems.
Speaking of observed problems, Microsoft notes that the following dependent Shell components and related services may fail and report an on-screen error or silently fail to execute, such as the following:
Explorer.exe crash
shelhost.exe crash
StartMenuExperienceHost
System Settings silently fails to launch
Application crashes when initializing the XAML views
Explorer running but no taskbar window.
other XAML island views fail to initialize.
ImmersiveShell
Microsoft says that it is working on a fix but, for now, has provided a couple of workarounds to deal with the issue. First, Microsoft says that restarting the Shell Infrastructure host (SIHost.exe) service will help restore the missing Immersive Shell packages. This can be done with the following commands:
Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode
Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.UI.Xaml.CBS_8wekyb3d8bbwe\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode
Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.Core_cw5n1h2txyewy\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode
Second, a PowerShell logon script has been shared that essentially blocks Explorer from launching prematurely until the required packages are fully provisioned. The batch script for that is given below:
@Echo off
REM Register MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode"
REM Register Microsoft.UI.Xaml.CBS
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.UI.Xaml.CBS_8wekyb3d8bbwe\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode"
REM Register MicrosoftWindows.Client.Core
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Add-AppxPackage -Register -Path 'C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.Core_cw5n1h2txyewy\appxmanifest.xml' -DisableDevelopmentMode"
You can find the support article under KB5072911 on Microsoft's official website.

[M-MTax]

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@user17570948549 wrote:

Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken
"After provisioning a PC with a Windows 11, version 24H2 monthly cumulative update....

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Did 25H2 resolve these issues? That's what my machines are on.

[user17628075906]

I wont be using it either. I got the extended care thingy from Microsoft for another year on windows 10 but Intuit doesn't care. Couple decades of using their software is done over this.

Post if you find a good replacement.

[dea44]

Sadly, H&R Block did not work out form me. It incorrectly imported my real estate depreciation (but only because I use non-standard 40-year depreciation) and its form mode is very clumsy and difficult to use. You can only open one form at a time and you have to close that form and scroll through the forms list to open the next one. However, I suspect it is fine if you don't have non-standard depreciation and use guided mode instead of forms mode.

David

[Mike9241]

@user17628075906 H&R seems to be the only other desktop software. Whether you like it or not is a personal decision. Also, It's probable that sometime in the future, maybe as early as 2026 returns, it will also require W11. you'll notice no support for W8.