Sometimes, uninstalling TurboTax via the usual method doesn't completely remove the program. In those instances, you can forcefully uninstall TurboTax to ensure all TurboTax files are removed.
Solution
- Browse to the following location on your hard drive (replace XX with the 2-digit tax year of the TurboTax program you want to uninstall, for example 11 represents TurboTax 2011):
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX\PER\MSI
- Right-click each file in this folder and select Uninstall.
- Delete the following directories (Where XX is the 2-digit tax year of the program you've just uninstalled):
- For Windows 7 / Vista
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- C:\Program Files\TurboTax\TYXX
- C:\Users\[Your username]\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- C:\Users\All Users\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- For Windows XP
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- C:\Program Files\TurboTax\[version] 20XX – replace [version] with Basic, Deluxe, etc.
- C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- C:\Documents and Settings\[Your username]\Application Data\Intuit\TurboTax\TYXX
- When finished, restart your computer, and then install TurboTax.
If that didn't work, try a more sophisticated method detailed below. Start by selecting your TurboTax version:
Alternate Solution for TurboTax CD
- Insert the TurboTax CD into the CD drive. If a message appears, click Cancel or No.
- (Windows 7 or Vista) Click the Start button and choose All Programs > Accessories > Run.
(Windows XP) Click the Start button and choose Run. - In the Run window, click Browse, select the Setup.exe file on the TurboTax CD, and click Open.
- Place your cursor right after the last e in the Open field, add a space, then type /u /l (be sure to enter a space between /u and /l). Your entry should look like this:

- (Windows 7 or Vista) Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. (To close the User Account Control window, press Alt+C.)
(Windows XP) Click OK. - In the Repair/Uninstall TurboTax window, click the second button, Uninstall TurboTax.
- After TurboTax has been uninstalled, install TurboTax from the CD.
If you're still unable to uninstall the CD, try the "flush" command:
- Follow Steps 1 through 5 above, except type /f instead of /u /l (don't forget to precede /f with a space). Ignore Steps 6 and 7.
- Wait for the Flush Install window to close. TurboTax is now reinstalled.
Alternate Solution for TurboTax Download
- Download TurboTax to your desktop.
- (Windows 7 or Vista) Click the Start button. At Start Search, type %temp% and press Enter.
(Windows XP) Click the Start button and choose Run. In the Run window, type %temp%, and then click OK. - The Temp window opens, with a list of folders.
- Double-click the TurboTax download on your desktop. Close any error windows that open.
- A new folder which begins with ckz_ is created in the Temp window. (Sort the list by date/time to see the new folder. You can open the folder to verify it's the TurboTax folder.)
- When the "Welcome to TurboTax" screen appears, right-click the new folder in the Temp window, select Rename, and then enter tax.
- On the Temp window, right-click the tax folder and select Copy.
- On the Windows taskbar, click Start, and then My Computer.
- Right-click the C: drive and select Paste.
- On the "Welcome to TurboTax" screen, click Cancel.
- (Windows 7 or Vista) Click the Start button and choose All Programs > Accessories > Run.
(Windows XP) Click the Start button and choose Run. - In the Open field, type C:\tax\setup.exe /u /l (be sure to enter a space between /u and /l). Your entry should look like this:

- (Windows 7 or Vista) Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. (To close the User Account Control window, press Alt+C.)
(Windows XP) Click OK. - In the "Repair/Uninstall TurboTax" window, click the second button, Uninstall TurboTax.
- After TurboTax has been uninstalled, you should be able to install TurboTax by double-clicking the icon on your desktop.
If you're still unable to uninstall the download, try the "flush" command:
- Follow Steps 1 through 13 above, except type /f instead of /u /l (don't forget to precede /f with a space).
- In the "Welcome to TurboTax" window, click Cancel.
- Double-click the desktop icon to install TurboTax.
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