Turbo Tax Deluxe 2020 won't load properly on a new laptop with Windows 10. The application stalls at the "Activation" page. Does anyone have any answers?

[ADBfoldem]

If the program won't allow input to the key field (after you can see it from changing the display settings, after the first attempt, after getting an invalid code message:

1.  Make sure the key field is still empty after previous attempts.

2.  Type the reg code exactly as you see it (Incl -)

3.  Hit enter.  This worked for me.

[swallen56]

Read the message above yours and don't worry about the BitLocker key unhless you're running Windows 10 Pro.  With Home Edition you don't have that feature.  

[Joye]

Has this been fixed for 2021?

I had to use the 600x800 display for the activation key but it did not work when I wanted to pay for my state return. I had to install TT on an older laptop that also had Windows 10. Otherwise I'd have had to print and mail the state return. If this hasn't been fixed then I don't want to buy TT for 2021. How can we find out if they've fixed it?

[thombolt]

This has NOT been fixed for 2021. The problem is discussed all over the internet, but nobody will admit that they are releasing unreliable crappy product. I have already bought and paid for both the individual and business TurboTax for 2021, but you can bet your life I won't do it again! If I'm going to have to use stone age workarounds to get the software to load and update, I might as well file my taxes with a stone tablet and chisel.

[DoninGA]

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@thombolt wrote:

This has NOT been fixed for 2021. The problem is discussed all over the internet, but nobody will admit that they are releasing unreliable crappy product. I have already bought and paid for both the individual and business TurboTax for 2021, but you can bet your life I won't do it again! If I'm going to have to use stone age workarounds to get the software to load and update, I might as well file my taxes with a stone tablet and chisel.

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See if it works for you -

• change your resolution to 800 x 600 (start>setting >system resolution. once it's been changed, your screen size will look very big. REMEMBER your initial resolution setting!
• launch TT and the activation screen should launch.  copy / paste in your activation code. you should get the 'all set' green check mark
• change your resolution back to what is was originally. 

See this TurboTax support FAQ - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/upgrade-products/help/how-do-i-fix-blank-screens-during-activation...

If still an issue contact TurboTax support for assistance.

Use this website to contact TurboTax support during business hours - https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

Or -

Support can also be reached by messaging them on these pages https://www.facebook.com/turbotax/ and https://twitter.com/TeamTurboTax

[thombolt]

I haven't tried the workaround to change screen resolution yet, but I have spent hours talking/chatting with support. They gave up and told me I had to call Dell or Microsoft to fix the problem. They aren't allowed to admit it's their fault, so the only solution is to blame me as incompetent or my computer as the problem. I have been using TurboTax since before intuit bought them and ruined the product. I think I have learned an important lesson here: I wouldn't buy a car from a dealer with crappy products or service, so I don't know why my expectations were that this would get better. 

[fanfare]

your computer has some strange issue of incompatibility. This happens.

you can

• Refresh the Windows 10 installation.
• Update to Windows 11 (you may need to buy a new computer).
• borrow another computer.
• Start exploring the other tax software vendors. Their desktop software will probably install with no problem.

Is your laptop very new? you can Refresh the Windows installation without losing a lot.

Before the brute force methods,

look for the Revo Uninstaller (google it) and do a deep scan to cleanout TurboTax.

Then try again.

[thombolt]

To address your points:

• The windows 10 installation is pristine and up-to-date. I've used every diagnostic tool available from Microsoft to test the OS. The computer and all drivers are also up to date and get's a clean bill of health from Dell. 
• Microsoft updates have told me that my computer is ready for Windows 11, but I'm not. It's not clear that all the other programs I use daily will work with Win11, and I'm not going to risk it to make TurboTax work. There is also no guarantee that TurboTax won't exhibit the same bug when installing on Win11.
• Of course, I can install it on another computer and move all my files with a thumb drive, but that's the point. Intuit should make TurboTax install without clumsy workarounds. I would rather switch to another product... which I will do next year because I have already paid for this year's software.
• I am lready exploring other vendors. It's ironic that most of the "paid" reviews online show TurboTax as #1 while there are hundreds of complaints like mine that it won't load on Windows 10. There are also class-action suits about their monopoly on the marketplace due to strong-arm lobbying efforts in Congress.

I'm not critical of your suggestions, just stating where I'm at. Your suggestion to download Revo is good advice. It didn't find any remnants of the previous versions of TurboTax already uninstalled, but it is quite a helpful tool. Thanks.