TurboTax Migration Guide

 

TurboTax Migration Guide: 

Windows to Windows

Overview

This guide covers migrating TurboTax software, data files, and settings from an old Windows PC to a new one.

Prerequisites

  • Administrative access on both computers
  • External storage device or network connection for file transfer
  • TurboTax product year and version information

Step-by-Step Migration Process

Step 1: Locate Your TurboTax Data Files

Tax Return Files (.tax2024, .tax2023, etc.):

  • Default location: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\TurboTax\[Year]
  • Alternative locations to check:
    • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents
    • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\TurboTax\[Year]

Backup your data files:

  1. Open File Explorer
  2. Navigate to the locations above
  3. Copy all TurboTax folders to your external drive or cloud storage

Step 2: Export TurboTax Settings (Optional)

Program installation location:

  • Default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\TurboTax [Year]
  • Or: C:\Program Files\Intuit\TurboTax [Year]

Application data:

  • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intuit\TurboTax
  • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax

Note: To access AppData folders, you may need to enable viewing hidden files in File Explorer (View > Show > Hidden items).

Step 3: Registry Keys (Advanced - Usually Not Required)

TurboTax stores some settings in the Windows Registry. However, reinstalling TurboTax on the new machine typically recreates these automatically. If you need to export them:

Main registry locations:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Intuit\TurboTax
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intuit\TurboTax
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Intuit\TurboTax (on 64-bit systems)

To export registry keys (if needed):

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, press Enter
  2. Navigate to each location above
  3. Right-click on "TurboTax" folder > Export
  4. Save the .reg file to your external drive
  5. Repeat for each location

Step 4: Install TurboTax on New Computer

Option A: Download Installation

  1. Log into your TurboTax account at turbotax.intuit.com
  2. Go to "My Downloads" or "Account"
  3. Download your version of TurboTax
  4. Run the installer with administrator privileges

Option B: CD/DVD Installation

  1. Insert your TurboTax installation disc
  2. Follow the installation prompts
  3. Enter your license code when prompted

Step 5: Transfer Data Files to New Computer

  1. Connect your external drive to the new computer
  2. Create the TurboTax folders if they don't exist:
    • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\TurboTax
  3. Copy your backed-up tax files into the appropriate folders
  4. Ensure folder structure matches: Documents\TurboTax\[Year]\[your tax files]

Step 6: Import AppData Settings (Optional)

If you backed up AppData folders:

  1. Copy the backed-up folders from:
    • AppData\Local\Intuit\TurboTax → Same location on new PC
    • AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax → Same location on new PC

Step 7: Import Registry Settings (Only if Needed)

Warning: Only do this if you exported registry keys and are experiencing issues.

  1. Copy the .reg files to your new computer
  2. Right-click each .reg file > "Merge"
  3. Confirm the security prompts
  4. Restart your computer

Step 8: Activate TurboTax

  1. Open TurboTax on your new computer
  2. Sign in with your Intuit account
  3. Enter your license code if prompted
  4. Follow activation prompts

Step 9: Verify Your Data

  1. Open TurboTax
  2. Go to File > Open and navigate to your tax files
  3. Verify all data transferred correctly
  4. Check that previous years' returns are accessible

Recommended Approach (Simplest Method)

For most users, the registry export/import is not necessary. Here's the streamlined process:

  1. Back up tax files from Documents\TurboTax folders
  2. Install TurboTax fresh on new computer
  3. Copy tax files to new computer's Documents\TurboTax folder
  4. Open files in TurboTax and verify

The software will recreate necessary settings automatically.

Important Notes

  • License limitations: Most TurboTax licenses allow installation on multiple computers but only one active use at a time
  • Deactivate old computer: Consider uninstalling from old PC if you won't use it anymore
  • Online vs Desktop: If you used TurboTax Online, your returns are stored in the cloud and accessible from any computer
  • Keep backups: Maintain a backup of your tax files on external storage or cloud services

Troubleshooting

If TurboTax won't open your files:

  • Ensure you installed the same year/version
  • Check file extensions match (.tax2024, etc.)
  • Verify files aren't corrupted by checking file size

If activation fails:

  • Contact TurboTax support to deactivate the old installation
  • Verify internet connection
  • Check that you're using the correct license code

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