Why am I receiving corrupt file messages for my PC based 2020 program?

[michelle6729]

If your tax file is encrypted or password protected, you will get this error when trying to import to TurboTax online. Open the tax file in your desktop program. From the File menu select Password (windows) or Encrypt (MAC). Remove the password/encryption. Re- save your tax file without the password. Now you can upload it into TurboTax online.

[bradgessner]

THIS IS A PROBLEM with TurboTax desktop!  Every year, I get file corrupt when trying to start with last year's return.  Again, I stated a new 2023 tax file 2 weeks ago, and when I tried to open it today, CORRUPT FILE message!  This file didn't have much information entered 2 weeks ago, but if I start a new return and spend hours on it, how can be assured it won't open 2 weeks from now when I finish it?  THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM that INTUIT and TURBO tax NEEDS TO FIX!!!  Otherwise, I'll start using a competitor's product like H&R Block.

PLEASE FIX YOUR CORRUPT FILE PROBLEMS INTUIT!!!!

[jcox7483]

There is a core problem with this software and there is absolutely zero response on it.  I switched to H&R Block and it's fine.  

The "fixes" such as "your file is encrypted" or "you have to login before saving your file" are totally incorrect.  The files that get created aren't just corrupt, they are actually completely blank - there is NO DATA TO RECOVER in them so there is no fix.  There is simply a problem with this software, and it's a matter of time until it affects you. 

Once it affects you it seems to be permanent - not even re-installing appears to work.   I tried logging in, logging out, being logged into the web, not being logged into the web, changing where I saved the file, manually saving the file, save-on-exit the file, totally uninstalling > re-downloading > fresh install on a different drive, and every other combination that was mentioned or speculated in this thread and others. 

I don't know if this is something as deeply buried as affecting specific processors or something crazy like that but I was simply not able to resolve it in multiple YEARS of trying and it appears there are no more actual humans working at this company