How do I Fix Error 193: Extractor CreateProcess?

Some TurboTax Desktop customers may be experiencing an issue/error when attempting to install TurboTax Desktop Individual or Business 2023. When installing from a CD or download, they're seeing one of the following:

• 193: Extractor CreateProcess Error
• The install will begin and stop without progressing and will show no error messages.

Read over these steps in their entirety before beginning this task. If you aren't comfortable with anything in this article, please STOP and consult a local computer professional. These instructions are being provided to help you with a Windows Error (193: Extractor CreateProcess). You'll be viewing typically hidden system files and must proceed with caution and patience.

As we move through this article, there are some things you'll need to do:

• Anything typed into the Search box will need to be run with the option of Run as Administrator – make sure to choose this option.
• You must be viewing Hidden Items in File Explorer. There are screenshots below to assist with this. (Note: Reverse this procedure when you're finished to re-hide previously hidden system files and folders.)
• Search is typically located to the right of the Windows Start button. If you don't see it, right-click on Start and choose Search. For this article, we will proceed as though you can see the Search bar as indicated in the screenshots.
• When clicking, left-click unless instructed to right-click.

Let’s begin. Steps must be completed in order. Don't skip any steps.

1. Reboot your PC. Once you are back in Windows and your desktop has reloaded, continue.
2. Go to Search and enter c:\users.

3. Select View menu in File Explorer.
4. Make sure the box next to Hidden Items is checked. This lets you view system files. If the box isn't checked, add a checkmark.

5. Look for the file indicated here. The file has the blank page icon and has a portion of your username. It'll have a size of 0KB-25KB typically (see the following image). If you don't have it, stop! You aren't impacted by Error 193. If this file is larger than 25KB, stop and consult a local computer professional! If you do have the file, continue on.
   DO NOT delete the file.

Now that you've confirmed you're impacted by the Error 193 and you have the file mentioned previously, let’s proceed.

1. Go to Search and enter Disk Cleanup. Select the option to Run as Administrator.
2. Select OK and make sure C Drive is selected.
3. Select the checkboxes for Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Temporary Files, and Thumbnails. Uncheck anything else that's checked and select OK.
4. Select Delete Files. (You'll see a message that Disk Cleanup is cleaning up your drive and then it'll disappear when cleanup is complete.)

You'll now scan the hard drive with Windows System File Checker (SFC) for any integrity violations (corrupted files) that may have occurred during attempted installations of TurboTax or other software.

1. Go to Search and enter CMD. Select the option to Run as Administrator.
2. You'll see a User Account Control asking you to make changes to Windows. Select Yes to allow the system to make changes. (You may have to select the Command Prompt box once to activate – see the following image.)
3. Verify that you're in Administrator mode by making sure the window is labeled Administrator: Command Prompt (see following image).
4. You must run the following commands with the Run as Administrator option or they won't work. These commands aren't case-sensitive:
   1. You'll see the C:\WINDOWS\system32> prompt.
   2. Enter CD\ and select Enter. The prompt will now change to C:\
   3. Enter SFC /scannow (Note: There's a space between SFC and /scannow) then select Enter. Next, the screen will state that the scan is beginning. This scan is dependent upon the size of your hard disk and the number of files you have. Windows System File Checker is running and attempting to verify the integrity of your files. Be patient while this scan completes. Don't leave this window and start other tasks.

If any corruption is found, your system will attempt to repair the files. You'll see one of the following three results:

1. Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation – If you see this, you need to consult a local computer professional. Don't proceed further.
2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
3. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

Once you receive either message 2 or 3 above, you may proceed.

Type exit to close the Command Prompt.

Now that you have repaired any corrupt files, you are ready to proceed:

1. Go to Search and enter appwiz.cpl then select Enter.
2. You'll now be in Programs & Features, where you'll see a list of programs and features installed on your computer.
3. Scroll down in the list to TurboTax 2023 and select it, then select uninstall to begin the uninstallation process.
4. You'll be presented with a User Account Control asking if you’re sure you want to Uninstall TurboTax. Select Yes.
5. If the Uninstall asks you to reboot, select the option to Reboot later and Close.

You'll now remove remnant files left behind by the program. Follow these steps very closely.

1. Go to Search and type File Explorer, then press Enter.
2. Copy and paste the following into the area indicated by the red box in the following image, then select Enter: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\TurboTax\MSI. Now look for and delete any folder called TY23.
3. Copy and paste the following into the area indicated by the red box in the following image, then select Enter: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\TurboTax. Now look for and delete any folder called TY23.
4. Copy and paste the following into the area indicated by the red box in the following image, then select Enter: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax. Now look for and delete any folder called TY23.
   • Note: You'll change the {username} to your username – the name that you use on your own computer.
     • For example, the username “Bubblz” this directory would look like this: C:\Users\Bubblz\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax

5. Empty your Recycle Bin.

You are now almost at the final step. After Windows has reloaded all your startup programs, etc. and is ready to go:

1. Go to Search and select File Explorer, then enter C:\Users and select Enter.
2. Locate and Delete the file indicated below (file from the very beginning of this document).

3. Empty the Recycle Bin.
4. Reboot your machine.
5. Go to Search and enter services and then select Run as Administrator.
6. Scroll down in the list until you find Windows Installer and right-click then choose Start.
7. Go to Search and enter %temp% and select Enter.
8. In the screen that opens, select the Name column to sort the folders. Scroll down until you find CKZ_, then highlight and delete any folder that begins with CKZ_

9. Disconnect any USB hard drives before you attempt to reinstall TurboTax.
10. Open Google Chrome.
11. Go to turbotax.com/mydownloads. Use the activation code provided with your CD to download a fresh copy of the software. For this step, don't install from the CD.
12. Sign in to your TurboTax account and select Downloads.
13. Download a fresh copy of TurboTax but DO NOT open the program.
14. When the downloaded program pop-up appears in the lower-left corner, don't select it. (If using an alternative to Chrome, you may see this in a different location on your screen.)
15. Close Google Chrome.
16. Open File Explorer.
17. Browse to the Downloads folder.
18. Right-click the file you just downloaded and select Run as Administrator.
19. Continue installation as normal.

Run TurboTax with Administrative Privileges

1. Right-click the TurboTax icon and select Properties.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Select the checkbox next to Run this program as Administrator.
4. Select Apply.
5. Select OK.
6. When you double-click to launch TurboTax, you'll now be prompted with a User Account Control asking Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? Select Yes every time.

Re-Hide System Files - If you were previously viewing system files, you may skip this step.

1. Go to Search and enter File Explorer then select Enter.
2. Select View menu.
3. Remove the checkmark from the box next to Hidden Items. This removes the viewing of system files and protects your system from accidental deletion.

This is for informational purposes only. If you continue to have errors on your system, we recommend that you contact your computer manufacturer or a local computer professional for further assistance at your own discretion. Intuit assumes no liability or expense. All the above steps are at customer’s own risk.