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Level 1

Question

Windows 10 for 2025

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
October 22, 2025
10 replies
0 views

I saw a statement from you guys about not supporting Turbo Tax for 2025 on Windows 10. I can't update to Windows 11 as I don't have a TPM 2.0 chip. I plan to live on Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. I know a lot of others in the same boat.

Please reconsider your decision so that I don't have to look at one of your competitors for a solution.

Mike9241

Level 15

@user17613192960 just got another e-mail from TT about mid-October. It seems Turbotax is not giving in on the W11 requirement., There are possible workarounds, but no one knows which will work and which won't. They'll be more once Turbotax release 2025 and users with noncompliant computers see what works. They will probably post the info in this forum. The workarounds may invalidate the accuracy guarantee and if you need help from support that might not be provided,

I don't think anyone is sure if 2025 will or won't install on W10. this only applies to desktop users since online users can continue to use w10.

1) your options if you use desktop - switch to a competitor's desktop or some online app. It's likely this is a temporary solution since more and more apps are likely to require W11 in the future. (Just think of what MAC users go through every few years when their MAC OS is upgraded but Turbotax won't run on that version)

2) create virtual machine which requires an app to modify the Windows 11 registry before installation, so it thinks you have TPM 2.0, secure boot enabled and a more current cpu.

the VM allows both w10 and w11 to operate side by side but your computer bios must have the ability to enable Intel virtual technology. what that does is allows you to specify on a multicore CPU sores for w10 and cores for w11. also required is a memory allocation

pottero

Level 2

I have used TurboTax Home & Business for 20 years but will not be bullied into Windows 11.

What are the best desktop competitors to TurboTax

rj6031570

Level 2

Agree - Inuit, do you really want to be another New Coke from Coca-Cola failure and walk you customers into switching to a competitor?

I get not wanting to support older OS but Windows 10 and 11 apps are close enough to do so.

May I suggest you consider the lost amount of revenue an ill will and change your stance on this.

johnrreagan

Level 2

I don't get Intuit's decision about running on "unsupported" hardware or software. People could be running W11 with updates disabled or not even connected to the internet 100% of the time. It is always "you assume the risk" for doing such things.

I have a perfectly good W10 system (Skylake CPU and no TPM on the GIGABYTE board) that neither Microsoft or Intuit think is "good enough". I can't easily go to W11 (the HyperV in W11 prevents me from running other software that I need for work; and I have perfectly good disks/memory). It would cost me about $800-$1000 to "modernize" my home setup to make Microsoft/Intuit "happy" but I still assume the risk to keep it up to date.

Personally, I won't update to W11 in time (which is my I signed up for Microsoft's ESU program). Intuit's decision to force W11 even with ESU is short-sighted. Once I leave the platform, it is unlikely I'll be back.

baldietax

Level 12

Technical arguments about end of technical support and ESU aside, it's really just a business decision by Intuit as they determined there would not be enough demand to make it worth their while to release and support a Win 10 version. See post from VP below (fwiw).

Desktop Turbotax revenue ($200mil) is only 1% of Intuit's $20bil revenue, they sell 35mil "units" of higher revenue online/live service vs. 4mil users of "low" revenue desktop (incl Mac), so desktop has 10% of the total Turbotax user base for only 5% of the total Turbotax revenue. Turbotax revenue overall is expected to grow 8% in 2026 while desktop is declining 5%. etc.

They're also cutting bait on ItsDeductible which only had 100k users, and the Desktop Basic edition.

Clearly they're ok losing hundreds of thousands of users out of a base of 40mil if revenues are growing everywhere else. For most users who will inevitably be on Win 11 a year from now, it's a choice whether to deal with it in the next few months and keep tax process intact, or spend time changing tax process and then have to upgrade 6 months later anyway.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/articles/community-news-announcements/turbotax-windows-10-desktop-software-end-of-life/05/3708302

https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1266/intuit-reports-strong-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-fiscal-2025-results-sets-fiscal-2026-guidance-with-double-digit-revenue-growth-and-continued-operating-margin-expansion

azk54

Level 3

If the value of TurboTax desktop is insignificant to Intuit, how long till they drop the desktop platform altogether? Might want to start looking at alternatives .

SecureWon

Level 2

Really glad to see all these comments relative to the Win11 announcement. I'm very disappointed in their decision to force desktop users to either upgrade to Windows 11, or use your cloud based service. This decision is clearly driven by a relationship between intuit and Microsoft, and not of a technical nature.

I have been a user of Turbotax desktop for decades, but will be looking to switch to one of the competitors for my 2025 tax return and subsequent. And, I guarantee I will not be the only one with this decision.

user17570948549

Level 3

If you are comfortable sharing, I would greatly value your discoveries in your research on non-cloud desktop PC alternatives. I've concluded, as you and others have, that the time to say goodbye to a multi-decade relationship with TurboTax is now certainly worth considering.

SecureWon

Level 2

Absolutely. First, I was using Home and Business as I have W2, Rental and a small side business incomes. Through my research, including Grok AI, looks like H&R Block Premium & Business will do the trick, and is relatively highly regarded. I have a little more research to do, but this seems to be the path I'll take going forward.

IraSch

Level 2

Add one for disgruntled user here. I won't be upgrading to Windows 11 - hardware won't support it and Microsoft will be supplying updates to individuals for free for 1 year under their ESU program. So Intuit's security claim is BS. I guess I'll have to switch to another tax program.

Using TT online doesn't make sense for me - talk about a security risk.

SecureWon

Level 2

"Using TT online doesn't make sense for me - talk about a security risk."

Right!! Not only can they hack your return, but they will get all your family's (if you file with others) info as well. Seems like a target for hackers. As such, I'm no fan of the "cloud" BS. Seems like every 6 months or so I get an email from some service saying that they're sorry but there has been a security breach on their servers and my info "might have been compromised."

baldietax

Level 12

If you e-file from desktop, Intuit are collecting your data anyway.

Per the EULA:

In addition, if you elect to use online options such as federal or state efile services, data will be collected and used in accordance with the Intuit Global Privacy Statement. You hereby give Intuit permission to combine any of this identifiable and non-identifiable information with that of other users of the Software and/or other Intuit services. For example, this means that Intuit may use your and other users’ data to improve the Software in future releases or design promotions and provide ways for you to compare your tax situation with other users, including through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning models and training.

pfc1944

Level 2

If Intuit does not work on windows 10, I will be leaving TT after using for some 25 years +-.

baldietax

Level 12

@pfc1944 ...

user17570948549

Level 3

Yep. Thanks for confirming what we expected. For this year, I've decided not to do anything until March 2026. Plan A: Try H&R Block, Plan B: Buy a dirt-cheap "throw-away" Windows 11 Mini-PC for TurboTax. And whether it's Plan A or Plan B, in October 2026, while Windows 10 is still under our free Extended Security Update subscriptions, shop the latest and greatest Windows 11 desktops and laptops that will seamlessly free-upgrade to Windows 12 😆

ashertony

Level 2

My Mac is 2017 and cant install TT25. Does that mean I must then use the online version or buy a new laptop?

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Your choice. But the Online version has less features than the Desktop program.

If you used the Desktop program last year here’s How to transfer into the Online version, expand the blue link if you used the CD/download last year

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/entering-importing/help/how-do-i-transfer-last-year-s-return-into-turbotax-online/00/25953

If you used the Desktop program before you may notice several differences and not like the online version. It has less features and no Forms Mode. You can only do 1 return. 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. In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something. You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.

KenWendt

Level 2

I'm planning to migrate to H&R Block after 14 successful years with TurboTax.

user17570948549

Level 3

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

Level 15

@user17570948549 wrote:
".....Hard to get anyone to help me......."

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

HRBlockNOW

Level 2

Done with TurboTax. Been using it for more years than I can remember. Now that they have decided to join with Microsoft to try and force everyone to Windows 11, I am done. I have been exposed to Windows 11 on two different laptops, Dell & HP, and it is NOT a good OS. As I understand it the reason Intuit has given for not supporting Windows 10 is lack of security updates. I have Windows 10 running on a perfectly good Dell Desktop with Extended Security Updates. Something Microsoft had said they were not going to offer and then changed. It seems to me if Microsoft can bend so can Intuit. Personally, I think Intuit is getting kickbacks from Microsoft. I have been looking at H&R Block for several years since it was generally cheaper and have not been 100% pleased with TurboTax the last few years due to their steadily increasing prices, lack of software media, download only, virtually no support unless you pay extra, etc. And most importantly my overall laziness to change. Now they have given me no choice. I know they offer online filing, which I think is their overall goal, but I do not want my personal data sitting on their cloud.

M-MTax

Level 15

@HRBlockNOW wrote:
increasing prices, lack of software media, download only, virtually no support unless you pay extra

All DIY tax prep software for desktop use (installed) is download only; no one offers a CD any longer.

No other tax prep software vendor has free support (in the form of tax advice, et al), either.

Finally, if you buy any TurboTax desktop product at the right time through a reseller like Amazon, Costco, et al., the prices are not considerably higher than H&R Block. Moreover, TurboTax desktop prices are lower than TaxAct (check out their web site).

HRBlockNOW

Level 2

Thank you for your insights. I purchased H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2025 PC/Mac [Download] for $29.99 from Amazon. Newegg had it for $24.99 later, wish I had waited. Newegg also had box version for slightly more. I have been using TurboTax for many years. I have purchased it from Amazon, Costco, Newegg, etc. I have never seen TurboTax for the price I paid for H&R Block. this year

fraskman

Level 2

Hey Intuit - Updates have not ended, only free updates for Pro and Home. LTSC version that I have gets free updates thru 2032. I have a program on my PC that can not run on 11, so I will not be updating anytime soon to 11. I hate to change to another tax preparer, but if I must, then I must.

M-MTax

Level 15

@fraskman wrote:
I hate to change to another tax preparer, but if I must, then I must.

H&R Block or TaxAct if you have to switch. You might want to consider exactly how long those two firms will support Windows 10, though, as you might find yourself in the same dilemma for the 2026 tax year.

fraskman

Level 2

will cross that bridge a year from now

Big_Dog

Level 2

Been using TurboTax for 20 years. Have zero intention of downgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10. So Intuit and I are done for good, I guess. Buh bye!

In case Intuit is paying attention, new Windows 10 installations have overtaken new Windows 11 installations. New Windows 8 installations have also overtaken Windows 11.

M-MTax

Level 15

@Big_Dog wrote:
So Intuit and I are done for good, I guess. Buh bye!

Just out of curiosity, what are your plans for the 2026 tax year (software to be released later this year) if all of the other DIY tax prep providers require Windows 11?