Forcefully Uninstall and Reinstall TurboTax

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.

1. 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

2. Right-click each file in this folder and select Uninstall.
3. 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
4. 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:

• TurboTax CD
• TurboTax Download

TurboTax CD

1. Insert the TurboTax CD into the CD drive. If a message appears, click Cancel or No.
2. (Windows 7 or Vista) Click the Start button and choose All Programs > Accessories > Run.
   (Windows XP) Click the Start button and choose Run.
3. In the Run window, click Browse, select the Setup.exe file on the TurboTax CD, and click Open.
4. 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:

   

5. (Windows 7 or Vista) Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. (To close the User Account Control window, press Alt+C.)
   (Windows XP) Click OK.
6. In the Repair/Uninstall TurboTax window, click the second button, Uninstall TurboTax.
7. 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.

TurboTax Download

1. Download TurboTax to your desktop.
2. (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.
3. The Temp window opens, with a list of folders.
4. Double-click the TurboTax download on your desktop. Close any error windows that open.
5. 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.)
6. When the "Welcome to TurboTax" screen appears, right-click the new folder in the Temp window, select Rename, and then enter tax.
7. On the Temp window, right-click the tax folder and select Copy.
8. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, and then My Computer.
9. Right-click the C: drive and select Paste.
10. On the "Welcome to TurboTax" screen, click Cancel.
11. (Windows 7 or Vista) Click the Start button and choose All Programs > Accessories > Run.
    (Windows XP) Click the Start button and choose Run.
12. 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:

    

13. (Windows 7 or Vista) Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. (To close the User Account Control window, press Alt+C.)
    (Windows XP) Click OK.
14. In the "Repair/Uninstall TurboTax" window, click the second button, Uninstall TurboTax.
15. 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.