• Re: What on earth does TurboTax need Windows 11 for?

    From Lynn McGuire@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 19:54:32
    On 1/27/2026 6:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Are these people idiots ? They are going to lose half of their user
    base. Windows 10 is still the prevalent home pc software.

    Lynn


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From AJL@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 03:53:52
    On 1/27/26 5:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. >Apparently it needs Windows 11.

    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    There is but you wouldn't like it. TurboTax online. Should work fine on a
    Windows10 browser. I've used it on Chromebooks for years...



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 22:56:30
    On 1/27/2026 5:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    No, workaround.

    Requirement for Win21 is/was specified and available prior to purpose

    For TTax 2025
    - Costco web site for your version [1]
    => Product display picture
    - Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma 14 or later
    => Product requirements
    - Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma 14 or later

    [1]The $44.99 applies to the TTax 2025 Deluxe Federal + State

    <https://www.costco.com/p/-/turbotax-deluxe-2025-federal-e-file-state-download-for-pcmac-includes-10-credit-in-product/4000410296

    If you purchased the boxed version(sometimes available, no media,
    download link with activation code provided by Intuit), the boxed
    product shows the same requirement.


    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Chris@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 08:35:00
    Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 1/27/2026 6:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Are these people idiots ?

    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    They are going to lose half of their user
    base. Windows 10 is still the prevalent home pc software.

    Windows 11 has been around over four years and win10 was officially EOL's
    last October. Totally not unreasonable for a financial organisation to
    remove support for out-of-date platforms.




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Herbert Kleebauer@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:24:22
    On 1/28/2026 9:56 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Chris wrote:

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Don't ask this question in usenet but ask Google:

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


    Are these people idiots ?

    Are Microsoft or Adobe idiots because they don't want to
    sell Office or Photoshop but only sell an abo?


    When only Intuit tax software suddenly and almost secretly becomes incompatible, and when NO OTHER TAX SOFTWARE did this, something is amiss.

    Suddenly?

    || Today, we sent a reminder communication to our valued Windows 10
    || Desktop customers informing them that TurboTax Desktop personal
    || software for tax year 2025 and beyond will require Windows 11 or
    || future operating systems.


    But no more.
    When a marketing organization is that hostile to customers, they're out.

    The marketing organization has to generate income for the company:

    || If you purchase TurboTax Desktop personal software for tax year
    || 2025 and cannot install it because you have Windows 10, we have
    || you covered. You will receive an in-product offer to switch to
    || our TurboTax Online Premium service at no additional cost (includes
    || one federal and one state return).


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:28:39
    On 2026-01-28 09:35, Chris wrote:
    Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 1/27/2026 6:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Are these people idiots ?

    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is
    Windows 11 only?


    They are going to lose half of their user
    base. Windows 10 is still the prevalent home pc software.

    Windows 11 has been around over four years and win10 was officially EOL's last October. Totally not unreasonable for a financial organisation to
    remove support for out-of-date platforms.

    Windows 10 is still under official support. M$ changed minds.

    Otherwise, it is somewhat ridiculous for a software to demand a certain version of the operating system if there is not actual need.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:40:43
    On 2026-01-28 01:37, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    :-P

    Emigrate to a reasonable country such as Spain, where the tax software
    is created by the government and is free as in gratis. Even professional
    tax accountants use it. Bad news for software developers :-P

    The software runs in every operating system inside a web browser like
    Firefox. It connects online to the tax agency computers, and your forms
    are actually stored there, not in your computer. You might not like
    that, I guess. Who cares, you are going to submit the forms to them anyway.

    When you login in, it is possible that the government has completed the
    form for you, so you only have to review it, sign it, and pay (or be
    paid). In more complicated cases, they still fill in as much data as
    they know.

    If you don't have a computer or are not happy with a computer, no
    problem: just get an appointment at the tax agency and they will fill
    the forms for you. Gratis.

    Our taxes in action. The government tries to make paying the taxes as
    easy as they can. :-D

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Chris@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:25:43
    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    On 2026-01-28 09:35, Chris wrote:
    Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 1/27/2026 6:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Are these people idiots ?

    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is
    Windows 11 only?

    See if you can spot it? ;)


    They are going to lose half of their user
    base. Windows 10 is still the prevalent home pc software.

    Windows 11 has been around over four years and win10 was officially EOL's
    last October. Totally not unreasonable for a financial organisation to
    remove support for out-of-date platforms.

    Windows 10 is still under official support. M$ changed minds.

    Nope. They still state clearly it is EOL. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281

    Yes, ESU exists, but is a limited fig leaf to soften the blow.

    Otherwise, it is somewhat ridiculous for a software to demand a certain version of the operating system if there is not actual need.

    These are never technical decisions. Either risk mitigation or commercially driven.




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Chris@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:25:45
    Herbert Kleebauer <klee@unibwm.de> wrote:


    Are these people idiots ?

    Are Microsoft or Adobe idiots because they don't want to
    sell Office or Photoshop but only sell an abo?


    When only Intuit tax software suddenly and almost secretly

    "Almost secretly" LOL!

    It's right there on the front of the packet!

    incompatible, and when NO OTHER TAX SOFTWARE did this, something is amiss.

    Suddenly?

    || Today, we sent a reminder communication to our valued Windows 10
    || Desktop customers informing them that TurboTax Desktop personal
    || software for tax year 2025 and beyond will require Windows 11 or
    || future operating systems.


    But no more.
    When a marketing organization is that hostile to customers, they're out.

    The marketing organization has to generate income for the company:

    || If you purchase TurboTax Desktop personal software for tax year
    || 2025 and cannot install it because you have Windows 10, we have
    || you covered. You will receive an in-product offer to switch to
    || our TurboTax Online Premium service at no additional cost (includes
    || one federal and one state return).


    Seems reasonable.




    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Chris@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:25:47
    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    On 2026-01-28 01:37, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    :-P

    Emigrate to a reasonable country such as Spain, where the tax software
    is created by the government and is free as in gratis. Even professional
    tax accountants use it. Bad news for software developers :-P

    The software runs in every operating system inside a web browser like Firefox. It connects online to the tax agency computers, and your forms
    are actually stored there, not in your computer. You might not like
    that, I guess. Who cares, you are going to submit the forms to them anyway.

    When you login in, it is possible that the government has completed the
    form for you, so you only have to review it, sign it, and pay (or be
    paid). In more complicated cases, they still fill in as much data as
    they know.

    If you don't have a computer or are not happy with a computer, no
    problem: just get an appointment at the tax agency and they will fill
    the forms for you. Gratis.

    Our taxes in action. The government tries to make paying the taxes as
    easy as they can. :-D

    Yeah but, you forget that government = evil in US minds. Since Jan 2025
    that is accurate, tbf.

    The UK is not that easy, but then the vast majority of people don't need to fill in a tax return themselves as it's all done by the employer.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 14:53:14
    On 2026-01-28 10:57, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Carlos E.R. wrote:
    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly incompatible >>> with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is
    Windows 11 only?

    Hi Carlos,

    I'll let the users judge for themselves so I snapped this photo just now: <https://i.postimg.cc/QCrzhp1y/turbotax-requires-win11.jpg>

    Be advised that this never happened before, so the user isn't expecting it.

    Well, it does say that "requires Windows 11", but I can understand that
    you did not expect this and did not see it, as you have been buying it
    every year. Happens to everybody at sometime.

    It is arbitrary, but there are other vendors.

    ...

    But I'm not the only arbiter of fact on this Usenet group, so I will ask:
    Q: What on earth does TurboTax need Windows 11 for?
    A: ?

    That's impossible to say, but it is possible that the program developers
    chose to use the W11 11 API which surely has new functions not available
    on W10. Sure, you can develop the software using the W10 API, but it is
    their choice.

    There are developer tools that tell you what functions a program is
    using, and with some work you can find if they belong to the W11 API.

    You can vote with your feet.

    Return your purchase if they accept it, and tell them why. Buy at the
    same time another software.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 14:55:05
    On 2026-01-28 10:55, Andy Burns wrote:
    Carlos E.R. wrote:

    Emigrate to a reasonable country such as Spain, where the tax software
    is created by the government and is free as in gratis. Even
    professional tax accountants use it. Bad news for software developers

    Presumably you are free to use alternate software?


    Sure, but what purpose would have a developer to create it? No business
    case :-)

    It must have some advantage, like detecting what deductions you can
    apply to pay less, like a professional tax accountant would do.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 14:56:32
    On 2026-01-28 12:00, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Andy Burns wrote:
    Carlos E.R. wrote:

    Emigrate to a reasonable country such as Spain, where the tax
    software is created by the government and is free as in gratis. Even
    professional tax accountants use it. Bad news for software developers

    Presumably you are free to use alternate software?

    My suggestion is for people to send something like this to their contacts
    in the technical news industry. Aren't you in that industry, Andy?

    Keep it short.


    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Mr. Man-wai Chang@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 22:33:21
    On 1/28/2026 8:37 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. Apparently it needs Windows 11.

    The program possibly needs older versions of DotNet Framework, and maybe
    older versions of C++ Runtime!

    --
    @~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
    / v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
    /( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
    ^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Mr. Man-wai Chang@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 23:19:51
    On 1/28/2026 8:35 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
    Chris wrote:

    Carlos E.R. wrote:

    The government tries to make paying the taxes as
    easy as they can. :-D

    The UK is not that easy, but then the vast majority of people don't need to >> fill in a tax return themselves as it's all done by the employer.

    The UK self-assessment online filing has improved *A* *LOT* over what it
    used to be, particularly in not being overloaded as we approach
    deadline day, but there are some situations it doesn't cater for.

    Guys and gals: you are moving from software to taxation to politics...
    way way off-topic! :)

    --
    @~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
    / v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
    /( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
    ^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 09:14:09
    Carlos E.R. wrote on 1/28/2026 2:28 AM:
    On 2026-01-28 09:35, Chris wrote:
    Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 1/27/2026 6:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.
    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Are these people idiots ?

    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is Windows
    11 only?

    The boxed product(where available) and downloadable only purchase method,
    the ad for purchasing(Costco or all other providers purchase options -
    e.g. Sam's Club, Best Buy, Staples, Intuit - all specify Windows 11 as a requirement for TTax 2025.


    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Frank Slootweg@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 16:30:59
    [Repost. Someone felt the need to remove the alt.comp.os.windows-11 and misc.taxes groups. Don't do that, and if you do, *say* so! :-(]

    Dennis <nobody@nowhere.invalid> wrote:
    On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:20:02 -0500, Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    True to their marketing roots, Intuit apparently says if you buy TurboTax >Desktop 2025 and can't install it because you're on Windows 10, Intuit will >offer you TurboTax Online Premium at no extra cost, including:
    1 federal return
    1 state return
    But if I had wanted to use insecure online software, I never would have >purchased the desktop versions in the first place over all these years.

    I wouldn't be surprised if at some point they drop the desktop version completely.

    In our country - The Netherlands - we have a web-version already for
    twelve years. Just to many platforms to make platform-specific versions
    for. What use is a Windows version if people have an Android tablet or
    an iPad or a ChromeBook or ... ad infinitum.

    Like Carlos mentioned for Spain, ours is also free (as in gratis) and provided by the Dutch tax office ('Belastingdienst').

    As mentioned, the 'offline' 'privacy' argument is bogus. because they
    already have the 'private' information or will get it anyway.

    N.B. We started with a PC version [1] which was supplied on 3.5"
    diskette and when you were done filing your tax return, you just sent
    back the diskette in the provided envelope. *Those* were the days! :-)

    [1] The PC version started at least in 2001 (I still have the backup to
    prove it! :-)), but perhaps earlier. Not sure if there was only a
    Windows version and a Linux version or perhaps earlier also a DOS
    version.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From AJL@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 16:40:07
    On 1/28/26 2:33 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    AJL wrote:
    On 1/27/26 5:37 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load. >>>Apparently it needs Windows 11.

    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?


    Is there a known workaround?

    There is but you wouldn't like it. TurboTax online. Should work fine on a
    Windows10 browser. I've used it on Chromebooks for years...

    The workaround I was asking about would have been a registry hack of some >sort, most likely, that told TurboTax to install anyway,

    I would worry about using hacked software that will have access to my most
    sensitive financial details.

    As you suggested, buying TurboTax Online would technically solve it, but
    you know me well enough that doing anything like that online is anathema.

    I don't see the security difference. Your store bought TurboTax also goes
    online. Your financial details travel online not only to TurboTax servers
    but are also relayed online to Uncle Sam. And if you're like me your yearly
    tax statements (income, investments, interest, etc.) come online...

    But being security conscious is wise. I use Chromebooks for my sensitive
    stuff for that reason. Many here will likely disagree but the general
    consensus seems to be that they are safer than Windows. Ask (gasp) Google
    for the details...

    You can see that I've used the Costco TurboTax desktop version for years
    and never once had to worry about whether it would run on the current
    Windows release.

    Unfortunately things change. Fortunately there's other tax companies to
    choose from. Good luck...

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From AJL@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 18:08:57
    On 1/28/26 10:39 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

    Intuit isn't part of the government so they do not already have your
    private personal financial data unless you choose to give it to them.

    They do. When I sign into my online TurboTax account this year all my
    personal details (from my past tax forms) will be already be filled in.
    Love it, saves time...

    And nobody would do that, which is why the "online" version has huge risk.

    Same risk a Uncle Sam. Or your doctors office. Everything's online these
    days...

    Although maybe someone who has used the "online" web version of Intuit's >TurboTax can explain to the rest of us how exactly they secure your data?

    I suspect the TurboTax online version uses the same servers and has the same
    security as as the store bought version. Then of course I repeat: There's
    also Uncle Sam's servers with all that personal data... 8-O

    My GUESS is that the biggest security risk is at the user end such as using
    a discontinued OS. Wait lemme check. Whew, this Chromebook I'm posting with
    is up to date.

    But to be fair this Chromebook's AUE is up next year and I've only had it
    for 4 years. I think they give you 10 years now but that's from manufacture
    and I didn't check when I bought this one. So Maria, it'll become just like
    your Windows 10 machine. It'll still work but the security???





    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From jerryab@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 13:10:13
    On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:37:11 -0500, Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    Is there a known workaround?

    Don't know, don't care. THEIR problem--because I don't use their stuff
    any more. Used their free online version for some years, then they
    "went stupid". NOT interested in paying for "stupid", so went
    elsewhere. Still free online tax prep/submission, so not concerned.

    Used to have a CPA do my tax stuff and submit it electronically. No
    more. I retired and did the stuff online for free.

    Key point: If you have a fairly complex return, then a CPA may be the
    way to go. Not because of the complexity, but because a pro will have
    a LOT more info about changes in tax crap you may not. Also, it is a
    great way to CYA *because* your taxes were done (checked and verified)
    by a pro. Sure, there is a cost--there always is. Cheap insurance. It
    is ALL tax deductible, so it is timing/cash-flow--nothing more.

    If you keep detailed records all year (as I did)--and turn that all
    over to the CPA with your spreadsheet completed, then you can do a lot
    of the drudge stuff in advance and be able to spot errors--your own
    AND by the CPA's software and/or data entry before they bite you. Have
    seen that and they fixed it before it was sent in by the CPA. It will
    also reduce the cost AND make you feel more "in control" of the
    bureaucracy-end of each tax year (i.e., first quarter of the next
    year).

    I did it all on a single large spreadsheet (self-created long ago) and
    re-used the same (blank) income/expenses spreadsheet every year. CPA
    loved it. Took me less than a day to fill it out from empty.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Char Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 13:54:12
    On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:33:08 -0500, Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    Yet again, Intuit blindsided loyal users, this time by requiring Win11 for >the 25 tax year when the version of Windows was never previously an issue.

    I've been using Turbotax since 1984 and I wasn't blindsided.

    Intuit sent out an email alerting me to this change on 8/21/2025 and a
    second notice, mostly identical to the first, on 10/22/25. Plus, the
    product listing on Amazon, where I usually buy mine, clearly said
    Windows 11 required.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 13:40:55
    Char Jackson wrote on 1/28/2026 12:54 PM:
    On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:33:08 -0500, Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    Yet again, Intuit blindsided loyal users, this time by requiring Win11 for >> the 25 tax year when the version of Windows was never previously an issue.

    I've been using Turbotax since 1984 and I wasn't blindsided.

    Intuit sent out an email alerting me to this change on 8/21/2025 and a
    second notice, mostly identical to the first, on 10/22/25. Plus, the
    product listing on Amazon, where I usually buy mine, clearly said
    Windows 11 required.

    Similar notification, two notices, Sept 2025, early Nov. 2025 that Win11
    was required for 2025 editions.

    Have purchased 'Deluxe' edition from Staples in past, Amazon was cheaper
    this year - both sources' content for purchase indicated Win11 requirement.

    Intuit reason for ceased support for use on Win10 was specific and due to
    MSFT ending support for Win10 security(regardless of ESU option) updates.
    -i.e. Intuit prioritizing usage for security reasons.
    - not much different than Intuit practice in the past that ended
    support for use on Windows 7 in 2020, and reiterated Win7 not possible
    for the next 4 yrs. 2024 editions required Win10 or Win11(with initial availability in late 2023). Thus, it was inevitable that once Win10 EOL occurred, Win11 would be the only supported o/s for use for purchased
    home installed editions.



    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 14:00:03
    jerryab wrote on 1/28/2026 12:10 PM:

    Key point: If you have a fairly complex return, then a CPA may be the
    way to go. Not because of the complexity, but because a pro will have
    a LOT more info about changes in tax crap you may not. Also, it is a
    great way to CYA *because* your taxes were done (checked and verified)
    by a pro. Sure, there is a cost--there always is. Cheap insurance. It
    is ALL tax deductible, so it is timing/cash-flow--nothing more.


    Itemizing deductions usage for US taxes ranges from 8-14% for the most
    recent tax years, been declining rapidly since 2020, some due to the
    standard deduction increasing

    Since 2020
    Married, jointly standard deduction increase ~30%, for seniors over 65
    ~39% before extra over 65 $6000 deduction(reduced at higher income)

    Single deduction increase ~30%. higher for over 65

    Fyi...for most taxpayers for years 2018-2025 tax preparers'
    fees(miscellaneous deduction category) were not tax deductible per the
    2017 TCJA(Tax Cut an Jobs Act), the last legislation eliminated
    miscellaneous deductions(due to the increase in standard deduction and
    special over 65 deductions)


    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 22:04:54
    On 2026-01-28 17:30, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    [Repost. Someone felt the need to remove the alt.comp.os.windows-11 and misc.taxes groups. Don't do that, and if you do, *say* so! :-(]

    Dennis <nobody@nowhere.invalid> wrote:
    On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:20:02 -0500, Maria Sophia
    <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    True to their marketing roots, Intuit apparently says if you buy TurboTax >>> Desktop 2025 and can't install it because you're on Windows 10, Intuit will >>> offer you TurboTax Online Premium at no extra cost, including:
    1 federal return
    1 state return
    But if I had wanted to use insecure online software, I never would have
    purchased the desktop versions in the first place over all these years.

    I wouldn't be surprised if at some point they drop the desktop version
    completely.

    In our country - The Netherlands - we have a web-version already for twelve years. Just to many platforms to make platform-specific versions
    for. What use is a Windows version if people have an Android tablet or
    an iPad or a ChromeBook or ... ad infinitum.

    Like Carlos mentioned for Spain, ours is also free (as in gratis) and provided by the Dutch tax office ('Belastingdienst').

    As mentioned, the 'offline' 'privacy' argument is bogus. because they already have the 'private' information or will get it anyway.

    N.B. We started with a PC version [1] which was supplied on 3.5"
    diskette and when you were done filing your tax return, you just sent
    back the diskette in the provided envelope. *Those* were the days! :-)

    [1] The PC version started at least in 2001 (I still have the backup to
    prove it! :-)), but perhaps earlier. Not sure if there was only a
    Windows version and a Linux version or perhaps earlier also a DOS
    version.

    Yep.

    Here they started with a Windows version only, but soon changed to a
    Java software that should be able to run on any computer. And then, they changed to an online version that did not need us to install anything at
    all.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 22:12:03
    On 2026-01-28 18:45, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w???ÿ wrote:
    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly
    incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is
    Windows 11 only?

    The boxed product(where available) and downloadable only purchase
    method, the ad for purchasing(Costco or all other providers purchase
    options - e.g. Sam's Club, Best Buy, Staples, Intuit - all specify
    Windows 11 as a requirement for TTax 2025.

    Again and again I must point out it's like buying spaghetti and only
    finding out later that in the ingredients, there's no pasta involved.

    Sure. But Windows 11 required is clearly printed in the box. If you try
    to return the opened box, it is quite possible that the shop will say
    that the box clearly says it is for Windows 11 and ignore your
    protestations, and they will be right. It is your fault, sorry. Even if
    I understand you, even if it is an easy mistake to do, they did tell
    you, and not in the fine print.

    So do try to return it, but it is possible they refuse to refund your
    money. Depends on how nice they are.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 22:18:27
    On 2026-01-28 16:13, Andy Burns wrote:
    "Carlos E.R." wrote:

    Andy Burns wrote:

    Presumably you are free to use alternate software?

    Sure, but what purpose would have a developer to create it? No
    business case :-)

    It must have some advantage, like detecting what deductions you can
    apply to pay less, like a professional tax accountant would do.
    In my case I use paid software, because it integrates with my business accounting software (so self-employment records are pulled into my
    personal tax records)

    Ok, yes, that makes a lot of sense.


    Guessing, it is possible that accounting software in Spain prepares tax
    data ready to add into the tax form. I don't know if ready to import or
    you have to type it. Or, they can create their own tax software.

    However, creating tax software is a hugely complex thing to do, the law
    is a very complicated thing. And every year the software has to change
    and adapt to the year regulations.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w­¤?ñ?¤@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 15:29:03
    On 1/28/2026 10:45 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w???ÿ wrote:
    The only idiots are people buying something that is clearly
    incompatible
    with their needs and then complain about it.

    Does the box clearly say in reasonable sized lettering that it is
    Windows 11 only?

    The boxed product(where available) and downloadable only purchase
    method, the ad for purchasing(Costco or all other providers purchase
    options - e.g. Sam's Club, Best Buy, Staples, Intuit - all specify
    Windows 11 as a requirement for TTax 2025.

    Again and again I must point out it's like buying spaghetti and only
    finding out later that in the ingredients, there's no pasta involved.

    There are certainly will always be a subset group of people incapable of purchasing something without understanding it's incumbent upon them to
    make an informed decision.
    - Your experience would seem to fall in that group's subset quantity.

    When you find a box of spaghetti that doesn't provide required labeling content of the ingredients for the spaghetti inside the box(the content
    is almost always viewable via the clear window on the box or clear
    package showing the spaghetti) feel free to post a picture.

    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w­¤?ñ?¤@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 15:38:43
    On 1/28/2026 3:07 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w???ÿ wrote:
    Char Jackson wrote on 1/28/2026 12:54 PM:
    On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:33:08 -0500, Maria Sophia
    <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    Yet again, Intuit blindsided loyal users, this time by requiring
    Win11 for
    the 25 tax year when the version of Windows was never previously an
    issue.

    I've been using Turbotax since 1984 and I wasn't blindsided.

    Intuit sent out an email alerting me to this change on 8/21/2025 and a
    second notice, mostly identical to the first, on 10/22/25. Plus, the
    product listing on Amazon, where I usually buy mine, clearly said
    Windows 11 required.

    Similar notification, two notices, Sept 2025, early Nov. 2025 that
    Win11 was required for 2025 editions.

    Have purchased 'Deluxe' edition from Staples in past, Amazon was
    cheaper this year - both sources' content for purchase indicated Win11
    requirement.

    Interesting. I believe both of you. Thanks for that useful information.
    You're welcome.

    Everyone here knows me well so they know I would never create an online account to any marketing organization, least of all Intuit marketing,
    unless I am forced to at the point of a gun.
    Apparently, you deviated from the 'gun' requirement<g>, using a
    throw-away email to create the account.

    You all believe me because you know me well.
    So I don't doubt they sent that email to the bogus registration address.

    The email notices were just another courtesy. The requirement available
    prior to completing the purchase(Win11 required) was clearly specified.
    - unfortunate for you and possibly others having the same
    concern(maybe some of those exist in different forums or feedback services/reviews - online, social media, etc.

    Good luck if you choose to return it.


    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From AJL@3:633/10 to All on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 23:25:01
    On 1/28/26 3:01 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    AJL wrote:

    I would worry about using hacked software that will have access to my most >> sensitive financial details.

    As far as I'm aware, the TurboTax desktop program only has access to your >sensitive financial details on the Windows computer. Not on the cloud.

    You're right. Google says that with the desktop edition your tax files are
    stored on your device whereas with the online edition they are stored in
    the cloud.

    I don't see the security difference.

    They're huge the differences.
    a. In one case, all your sensitive financial data is online
    b. In the other case (i.e., the desktop software), none of it is online.

    Apparently true if you don't use desktop TurboTax to file online. I guess it
    never occurred to me that someone would do that.

    Your financial details travel online not only to TurboTax servers
    but are also relayed online to Uncle Sam. And if you're like me your yearly >>tax statements (income, investments, interest, etc.) come online...

    If you print your tax forms from your desktop to your printer, then they're >not online.

    What good are paper tax returns these days? Do folks still mail them in? I
    suppose they do. That would be a much bigger security risk IMO.

    If you e-file, I'm not sure in what form that they're online.

    So you would hand copy from printed forms to a keyboard to e-file? That
    sounds like a major PITA.

    Does anyone have better insight into how e-filing is protected online?

    Good question. Probably as least as good as your doctors records or (gasp)
    TurboTax.

    Well, the less a device goes online, the better, which is one reason I was >upset when Intuit *required* the privacy-robbing mothership account.

    I find that my online TurboTax account saves me lots of time. It fills in
    lots of the blanks on a new return for me by getting info from a past
    return. It compares my entries to last year flagging anything suspicious.
    My former tax returns are available if needed. And I can continue filing on
    any of my toys (or a new one) mid-return be they Windows, Android, or
    Chrome. Even Windows 10... ;)

    I already bought H&R Block Deluxe with State desktop. Luckily, Costco will >take back the TurboTax even though I've already opened it up to install it.

    Think Costco will resell your used TurboTax code to someone else... 8-O

    I hope Intuit loses half their customer base, but not everyone is as >principled as I am when a marketing company tries to screw us secretly.

    Not me. I've always had good service from TurboTax. But as always YMMV...


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Stan Brown@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 29, 2026 07:15:44
    On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:56:43 -0600, None wrote:
    On 01/27/2026 19:32, Maria Sophia wrote:

    Is anyone in the US ahead of me on this where we can both help everyone?

    You DO know about IRS Free File, don't you? If your adjusted gross
    income is less than $89K you can choose from several providers there to
    file for nothing. Some of them may even handle your state return for
    free as well. If you're so well off that you don't qualify for *that,* there are Free File Fillable Forms you can use to file your federal
    return for free regardless of how much you make. The only catch there
    is you have to prepare the return yourself. I'd go to www.irs.gov and
    check it out if I were you.

    I have used FreeTaxUSA for several years and have been very pleased.
    It has interview-style inputs similar to Turbo or Block, and its
    helpful hints are actually helpful (usually). It handles my IRS-
    assigned IP PIN just fine, and it has every form and schedule,
    including things like the foreign tax credit and the QBI deduction.

    Federal returns seem to be free for incomes higher than the threshold
    "None" mentioned. State returns are free if you're under the
    threshold, $14.99 if you're over. Electronic filing is free. I highly recommend them.

    Please note: to get free filing you should start at the IRS's free
    file portal <https://www.irs.gov/file-your-taxes-for-free>. At least
    some software will require payment if you go directly to the
    software, even though the very same software is free if you get to
    it through the IRS site.

    --
    "The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by
    those who don't have it." --George Bernard Shaw

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 29, 2026 20:06:57
    On 2026-01-28 13:42, Dennis wrote:
    On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:37:11 -0500, Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.

    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    They did the same thing the last time MS dropped support for an OS (was
    it 2016?). I was due for an upgrade anyway so I bought a win10 notebook.

    I got this win11 notebook in 2025. Now, with rumors of win12 coming out,
    I wonder if I'll get screwed as far as TT is concerned. I don't plan on buying a new notebook for another 5 or 6 years. I might have to look
    into H&R Block at some point.

    If virtualization software like vmware runs in your W10 laptop, you
    might install W11 (obtained cheap from Amazon) inside the virtual
    machine. Or same thing with a Linux host.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Thursday, January 29, 2026 21:56:08
    On 2026-01-29 20:28, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Carlos E.R. wrote:
    On 2026-01-28 13:42, Dennis wrote:
    On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:37:11 -0500, Maria Sophia
    <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

    I bought TurboTax at Costco today for $55.99 - $11 = $44.99 + 0% tax.

    At home I try to install it on Windows 10, and it says it won't load.
    Apparently it needs Windows 11.

    Why?
    What on earth could TurboTax need that only Windows 11 can supply?

    They did the same thing the last time MS dropped support for an OS (was
    it 2016?). I was due for an upgrade anyway so I bought a win10 notebook. >>>
    I got this win11 notebook in 2025. Now, with rumors of win12 coming out, >>> I wonder if I'll get screwed as far as TT is concerned. I don't plan on
    buying a new notebook for another 5 or 6 years. I might have to look
    into H&R Block at some point.

    If virtualization software like vmware runs in your W10 laptop, you
    might install W11 (obtained cheap from Amazon) inside the virtual
    machine. Or same thing with a Linux host.

    Hi Carlos,

    Thank you for that helpful suggestion of using a VM within Windows/Linux.

    Since this is both a tax-related & Windows-related discussion of equal interest to both, I would like to clarify one parenthetical tidbit above: (obtained cheap from Amazon)

    AFAIK, we can run Windows 11 in a Linux/MacOS/Windows VM for free, but it
    is not fully licensed unless we activate it. Yet, we're allowed to install and use it unactivated with a watermark and a few cosmetic limitations, <https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-free-or-cheap>
    "You don't have to pay the full $139-$199 price for Windows. ÿYou can download and run Windows 11 for free without activation ÿif you can live with a desktop watermark, limited personalization ÿoptions, and no
    support from Microsoft. If you do want all the features ÿof an activated version of Windows, you can buy a cheap activation key ÿfrom a third-
    party site for $20-$25, and often even less if you can ÿfind a sale."

    So that more fully covers the concept of (obtained cheap from Amazon).

    I was saying this for Dennis (he is not happy about buying a new machine
    every five years), because it is a way of running W11 in a machine that doesn't have supported hardware, like no TPM. It will of course run slow.

    In fact I do this (Linux host), but the W11 virtual machine was updated
    from W10, and thus I do not have a M$ account. And the W10 machine was obtained cheap from Amazon. Fully legal, I understand.


    Let's note though that we'd have to really love Intuit's marketing plan to
    go to the trouble of a VM (especially on my older AMD/Nvidia hardware) just to compensate for what amounts to a bad decision by Intuit marketing.

    Sure, for you it is better to buy a different tax software. Don't forget
    to return the Intuit SW, as this sends a signal.

    ...


    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 00:07:13
    On 1/28/2026 4:07 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤ wrote:
    The email notices were just another courtesy. The requirement
    available prior to completing the purchase(Win11 required) was clearly
    specified.
    ÿ - unfortunate for you and possibly others having the same
    concern(maybe some of those exist in different forums or feedback
    services/reviews - online, social media, etc.

    Good luck if you choose to return it.

    Thanks for all your help and that from the others because I was clueless yesterday when Intuit blindsided me, but now I think I'm on board.

    In a way, I probably will thank Intuit Marketing for forcing me to look elsewhere, even as I was perfectly happy using their software until now.

    I already bought H&R Block Premier with State for $42.50 on Amazon.
    It's less than the TurboTax Premier but only by about $7.50.

    Since state e-filing on TurboTax is effectively $15 (with the $10
    discount), that gets eaten up by the H&R Block $19.95 state efile fee.

    Effectively, they're about two bucks different, which is nothing.
    I didn't even know all of this until Intuit forced me to go elsewhere.

    Yes, alternatives are available, as long as it meets your needs.
    I've yet to read(but haven't looked extensively) if folks who installed
    Win11 on non-supported devices using the different bypass
    methods(disable TPM, Secure Boot, no MSFT account, etc.) having problems
    with TTax not installing or functioning.



    As for Costco, in the USA, we don't worry about returning stuff.

    Right now I'm concentrating on writing to the media and I need to find the address at Costco marketing to tell them to put up a big warning sign.


    :) Costco already has a warning sign...the offered product already
    indicates Win11 is required.

    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w­¤?ñ?¤@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 00:20:37
    On 1/28/2026 3:48 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w??? wrote:
    Again and again I must point out it's like buying spaghetti and only
    finding out later that in the ingredients, there's no pasta involved.

    There are certainly will always be a subset group of people incapable
    of purchasing something without understanding it's incumbent upon them
    to make an informed decision.
    ÿ - Your experience would seem to fall in that group's subset quantity.

    When you find a box of spaghetti that doesn't provide required
    labeling content of the ingredients for the spaghetti inside the
    box(the content is almost always viewable via the clear window on the
    box or clear package showing the spaghetti) feel free to post a picture.

    Hi Winston,

    I do thank you for the veiled compliment assuming I'm omnipotent.
    But I must shyly defer to refute your compliment by saying I'm not.

    I clearly said it never occurred to me that Intuit would be so hostile to
    its loyal customers as to brazenly lie on their own web site about WHY they did this.
    Did you miss that explanation? Do you need me to describe it again?

    It's based mostly on the link from Intuit explaining their rationale that Herbert kindly produced yesterday for the team to ponder.

    I'm tired of explaining the four places that Intuit lied in that rationale, but I hope you read those posts before you continue to "blame the victim".

    You blaming me is like Apple blaming the users for "holding it wrong".
    We can't know ahead of time that which are due only to poor design Winston.

    Remember, Intuit's rationale is chock full of lies about Microsoft Support, which I'm sure works on the clueless, but we're all apprised of Win10 ESU.

    Even if we weren't apprised of Windows 10 ESU (which Intuit claims doesn't exist for personal users), notice that the Business tax software works with windows 10, so it's not a supported version of Windows 10 that's the
    reason.

    The reason Intuit marketing is openly hostile to half their customer base
    in the USA has more to do with their plan to upsell a "free" Premier online tool, which is obvious when you read the bottom half of Intuit's excuse.

    This reminds me of Apple's battery gate, where nothing that came out of
    Apple made sense because they were merely making up lies to back up a marketing move (for which Apple paid half a billion dollars for).

    The fact remains:
    TurboTax Deluxe would work just fine in Windows 10 with support.
    Intuit doesn't even bother to check for the ESU support status.
    And they allow business users to be on Windows 10 anyway.
    Still without even bothering to check for the ESU support status.
    And then, Intuit marketing openly lied about Microsoft's support position. After all that, Intuit marketing tried to upsell us on their online stuff.

    I know all of that now, but I didn't know any of that yesterday.
    It was only Intuit Marketing's hostile moves that made me even bother.

    For you to claim all that should have been intuitive to me, is giving me
    far more credit than I deserve, although I do appreciate your compliments.

    Never said it should have been intuitive(your words), only that the
    system requirements for running TTax 2025 were and clearly available.
    Not checking those requirements is akin to making an uninformed decision
    to purchase.

    Every instance I've seen for Turbo Tax 2025(for use on Windows) from
    Intuit, Best Buy, Staples, Costco clearly specifies Windows 11 is required.

    Intuit requirements indicate:
    "Software minimum system requirements
    Product download, installation, and activation requires an Intuit
    Account and internet connection.
    Windows Download Products (Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business and Business)
    NOTE: TurboTax Business is Windows Only

    Operating Systems
    *****************Windows 11 (64-bit)*********************"

    Similar Win11 requirements exist for all the other resellers.



    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 05:20:59
    On Thu, 1/29/2026 2:28 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:


    If virtualization software like vmware runs in
    your W10 laptop, you might install W11...

    At least you have options like that. A Windows 7 user
    has a lot fewer hosting softwares that can install there.

    And the hosting softwares are not always properly labeled.
    One developer said "we leave the old OSes behind when
    they go out of support, but we don't state anywhere whether
    the software works or not". I think they do in fact know
    it's a trap. (I had the same problem with this attitude,
    around copies of Wireshark, where when you needed OS
    version info, there was no hint which one was OK.)

    I suppose it's just human nature to torture people
    who aren't using "The New Shiny".

    Paul



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.6
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Alan K.@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 09:03:31
    On 1/30/26 2:40 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Yup. I'm always open as I say things the way they truly are.
    Andy gave us all the link to the desktop version on Costco online:
    <https://i.postimg.cc/Nfrz5Ggj/Costco-Online-Turbo-Tax.jpg>
    I have all those boxes too, and for the life of me I have no idea why I keep them.
    I even have printed copies of the returns, now that means more.
    --
    Linux Mint 22.3, Mozilla Thunderbird 140.7.0esr, Mozilla Firefox 147.0.1
    Alan K.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 14:16:09
    On Thu, 1/29/2026 3:56 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:

    I was saying this for Dennis (he is not happy about buying a new machine every five years),
    because it is a way of running W11 in a machine that doesn't have supported hardware,
    like no TPM. It will of course run slow.

    I wish we had better benchmarks for "slowness", just so we could
    identify factors that make it faster.

    Linux host-to-guest file I/O can manage 600MB/sec inside a VM.

    The Windows VMs seem to be lower than that, host-to-guest.
    It can be hard to tell if paravirtualization is being used
    when the hosting software has settings like "Default".

    On both Linux host (TMPFS) and Windows host (OSFMount), I can
    have a RAMDrive for the VM container to sit on. This does not
    do anything for I/O particularly, but it reduces the seek time
    to zero. It behaves more like an SSD, when all you own is a
    single slow HDD. But you need a lot of RAM to do that. And
    in the current RAMpocalypse I can't really advocate for this
    any more. When a Windows Guest boots and scans the shit out of C:
    you hardly notice.

    At one time, virtual machine file I/O was down
    around 1MB to 2MB/sec or so. And the graphics drew
    so slowly, you could see individual pixels getting
    painted row by row. To say it is slow today, it's
    nothing compared to how it was in early days. We were
    running x86 OS on top of a SPARC instruction set.

    A modern VM could have unaccelerated graphics. The driver
    is wrong or very wrong. The CPU takes up the slack (MESA
    is doing some of the work via software path).

    The Windows MBEC support can degrade performance on older
    than 10th gen CPUs. 8th gen CPUs sorta work. 4th gen CPUs
    some feature might be turned off.

    One virtualization product won't allow more than 2 cores. Silly.

    In a lot of these cases, there does not seem to be a lot of
    traction to fix it. You can use "PCI Passthru" to have a
    second GPU dedicated to the virtual machine, and then the
    driver is no longer driving virtual graphics, it is
    driving real graphics. The odds of that working are
    pretty close to zero :-) Just the fact my new computers
    don't have a PCI slot, rules out using my spare-dummy card
    for graphics.

    At some point, it's just better to say "screw it, I'm
    going physical" instead of virtual. And just install
    Windows 11 besides Windows 7, using Rufus for the boot
    stick preparation, and using the "Custom" install option,
    declare a 200GB partition and just slap it in.

    I'm averaging around a day each for these little projects,
    just to give some idea what sort of time allocation to expect.
    You might have a dozen tabs open in your browser, with recipes
    to "fix this or that". The AI can at least make you aware
    of stuff you need to fix, even if the recipes aren't complete.

    And Duckduckgo is turning out to be a better search than Google
    plague search.

    And where would I be if I didn't have two computers ?
    You can't be hardware poor and expect a quick result.

    Paul

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 13:29:39
    Paul wrote on 1/30/2026 3:20 AM:

    And the hosting softwares are not always properly labeled.
    One developer said "we leave the old OSes behind when
    they go out of support, but we don't state anywhere whether
    the software works or not". I think they do in fact know
    it's a trap. (I had the same problem with this attitude,
    around copies of Wireshark, where when you needed OS
    version info, there was no hint which one was OK.)

    I suppose it's just human nature to torture people
    who aren't using "The New Shiny".

    Paul



    From Wireshark documenatation

    User Guide
    2. Who should read this document?
    The intended audience of this book is anyone using Wireshark.

    User Manual
    Chapter 1.2.1. Microsoft Windows
    Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime. At the time of writing this includes Windows
    11, 10, Server 2022, Server 2019, and Server 2016. It also requires the following:

    The Universal C Runtime. This is included with Windows 10 and Windows
    Server 2019 and is installed automatically on earlier versions if
    Microsoft Windows Update is enabled. Otherwise you must install KB2999226
    or KB3118401.
    Any modern 64-bit Intel or Arm processor.
    500 MB available RAM. Larger capture files require more RAM.
    500 MB available disk space. Capture files require additional disk space.
    Any modern display. 1280 ? 1024 or higher resolution is recommended.
    Wireshark will make use of HiDPI or Retina resolutions if available.
    Power users will find multiple monitors useful.
    A supported network card for capturing
    Ethernet. Any card supported by Windows should work. See the wiki pages
    on Ethernet capture and offloading for issues that may affect your environment.
    802.11. See the Wireshark wiki page. Capturing raw 802.11 information may
    be difficult without special equipment.
    Other media. See https://wiki.wireshark.org/CaptureSetup/NetworkMedia.

    Older versions of Windows which are outside Microsoft?s extended
    lifecycle support window are no longer supported. It is often difficult
    or impossible to support these systems due to circumstances beyond our control, such as third party libraries on which we depend or due to
    necessary features that are only present in newer versions of Windows
    such as hardened security or memory management.
    </qp>

    Note the first line...
    "Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime."
    - it, in the same section it also states - "Older versions of Winodows
    which are Microsoft's extended support window are no longer supported."

    That information, most likely, pre-dates the end of extended support for Windows 10...but to be fair, it does not state the current version or
    earlier will no longer function on Windows 10.

    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w­¤?ñ?¤@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 13:49:45
    On 1/30/2026 12:40 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    ...w??? wrote:
    Intuit requirements indicate:
    "Software minimum system requirements
    Product download, installation, and activation requires an Intuit
    Account and internet connection.
    Windows Download Products (Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business and Business)
    ÿ NOTE: TurboTax Business is Windows Only

    Operating Systems
    *****************Windows 11 (64-bit)*********************"


    While I physically bought the box at the warehouse, the box definitely
    states that it won't work with Windows 10.

    Note that the business version does work with Windows 10.

    I did not get that same indication, only that Turbo Tax Business is only available for Windows, not other o/s and the Turbo Tax Business for
    Windows still requires Windows 11(it's included[see above] with the
    other editions - Deluxe, Premiere, Home and Business, **Business**.

    Note that Intuit doesn't check if you're on ESU support.
    Not sure why would expect them too or if they should.
    ESU is security related, not o/s feature or requirement related.

    Note that Intuit lied on their web site by saying ESU doesn't exist.
    See above...but if you have a link for that lie, feel free to post it.

    Note that Intuit tries to push you toward their "premier" version, which
    they will give you "for free" if you can't buy a new Win11 PC.
    :) Common marketing strategy, push/spin the higher cost, higher margin,
    higher net revenue product with its its features/capabilities.
    -i.e. sell it, whether needed or not

    Note that the "solution" suggested by Intuit is to either buy a new PC or
    to run it in a VM but in a VM, which is so absurd as to defy a response.
    Not much different than the approach to run Win11 in a VM on
    unsupported equipment.


    It's almost as if Intuit marketing begged us to look elsewhere, isn't it?
    That's part of the applicablity of it being incumbent upon all of us to determine the requirements and make our own choices.
    => might appear as 'weasel words' but its hardly an inconsistent
    pattern that's been around for some time.

    Half the world is still on Windows 10 (with full ESU support, mind you).
    See above, doesn't matter. ESU is security related.



    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 16:34:24
    On Fri, 1/30/2026 3:29 PM, ...w­¤?ñ?¤ wrote:
    Paul wrote on 1/30/2026 3:20 AM:

    And the hosting softwares are not always properly labeled.
    One developer said "we leave the old OSes behind when
    they go out of support, but we don't state anywhere whether
    the software works or not". I think they do in fact know
    it's a trap. (I had the same problem with this attitude,
    around copies of Wireshark, where when you needed OS
    version info, there was no hint which one was OK.)

    I suppose it's just human nature to torture people
    who aren't using "The New Shiny".

    ÿÿÿ Paul



    From Wireshark documenatation

    User Guide
    2. Who should read this document?
    The intended audience of this book is anyone using Wireshark.

    User Manual
    Chapter 1.2.1. Microsoft Windows
    Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime. At the time of writing this includes Windows 11, 10, Server 2022, Server 2019, and Server 2016. It also requires the following:

    The Universal C Runtime. This is included with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 and is installed automatically on earlier versions if Microsoft Windows Update is enabled. Otherwise you must install KB2999226 or KB3118401.
    Any modern 64-bit Intel or Arm processor.
    500 MB available RAM. Larger capture files require more RAM.
    500 MB available disk space. Capture files require additional disk space.
    Any modern display. 1280 ? 1024 or higher resolution is recommended. Wireshark will make use of HiDPI or Retina resolutions if available. Power users will find multiple monitors useful.
    A supported network card for capturing
    Ethernet. Any card supported by Windows should work. See the wiki pages on Ethernet capture and offloading for issues that may affect your environment.
    802.11. See the Wireshark wiki page. Capturing raw 802.11 information may be difficult without special equipment.
    Other media. See https://wiki.wireshark.org/CaptureSetup/NetworkMedia.

    Older versions of Windows which are outside Microsoft?s extended lifecycle support window are no longer supported. It is often difficult or impossible to support these systems due to circumstances beyond our control, such as third party libraries on which we depend or due to necessary features that are only present in newer versions of Windows such as hardened security or memory management.
    </qp>

    Note the first line...
    "Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime."
    ÿ- it, in the same section it also states - "Older versions of Winodows which are Microsoft's extended support window are no longer supported."

    That information, most likely, pre-dates the end of extended support for Windows 10...but to be fair, it does not state the current version or earlier will no longer function on Windows 10.


    Well, actually, at the time, I was on MacOSX 10.2 or 10.3 and absolutely no "Wireshark
    versus MacOSX" information existed. I had to try them manually one at a time. Really :-/
    On MacOSX, the versioning was "really sharp", and only a couple files would work,
    and later releases might only work on 10.4 or whatever.

    The people who do this work, they really know what is going on, but they
    just don't give a fuck. Is it fair to have 10,000 people sitting there, downloading unnecessary copies and wasting bandwidth, and time, to find
    a version of your software that works ??? It boggled the mind.

    I've noticed some of the smaller developers, self-hosted, who will drop
    a few lines near the download section, to warn of trouble, or to indicate
    how the product was compiled/built, and that's a great help.

    Paul


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Friday, January 30, 2026 23:22:38
    On 2026-01-30 20:16, Paul wrote:
    On Thu, 1/29/2026 3:56 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:

    I was saying this for Dennis (he is not happy about buying a new machine every five years),
    because it is a way of running W11 in a machine that doesn't have supported hardware,
    like no TPM. It will of course run slow.

    I wish we had better benchmarks for "slowness", just so we could
    identify factors that make it faster.

    Linux host-to-guest file I/O can manage 600MB/sec inside a VM.

    The Windows VMs seem to be lower than that, host-to-guest.
    It can be hard to tell if paravirtualization is being used
    when the hosting software has settings like "Default".

    On both Linux host (TMPFS) and Windows host (OSFMount), I can
    have a RAMDrive for the VM container to sit on. This does not
    do anything for I/O particularly, but it reduces the seek time
    to zero. It behaves more like an SSD, when all you own is a
    single slow HDD. But you need a lot of RAM to do that. And
    in the current RAMpocalypse I can't really advocate for this
    any more. When a Windows Guest boots and scans the shit out of C:
    you hardly notice.

    At one time, virtual machine file I/O was down
    around 1MB to 2MB/sec or so. And the graphics drew
    so slowly, you could see individual pixels getting
    painted row by row. To say it is slow today, it's
    nothing compared to how it was in early days. We were
    running x86 OS on top of a SPARC instruction set.

    A modern VM could have unaccelerated graphics. The driver
    is wrong or very wrong. The CPU takes up the slack (MESA
    is doing some of the work via software path).

    My Vmware claims there is no 3D support from the host, but I can play 3D
    games in Linux, like fgfs. I have AMD hardware and I did not install any proprietary drivers.


    The Windows MBEC support can degrade performance on older
    than 10th gen CPUs. 8th gen CPUs sorta work. 4th gen CPUs
    some feature might be turned off.

    One virtualization product won't allow more than 2 cores. Silly.

    In a lot of these cases, there does not seem to be a lot of
    traction to fix it. You can use "PCI Passthru" to have a
    second GPU dedicated to the virtual machine, and then the
    driver is no longer driving virtual graphics, it is
    driving real graphics. The odds of that working are
    pretty close to zero :-) Just the fact my new computers
    don't have a PCI slot, rules out using my spare-dummy card
    for graphics.

    At some point, it's just better to say "screw it, I'm
    going physical" instead of virtual. And just install
    Windows 11 besides Windows 7, using Rufus for the boot
    stick preparation, and using the "Custom" install option,
    declare a 200GB partition and just slap it in.

    I'm averaging around a day each for these little projects,
    just to give some idea what sort of time allocation to expect.
    You might have a dozen tabs open in your browser, with recipes
    to "fix this or that". The AI can at least make you aware
    of stuff you need to fix, even if the recipes aren't complete.

    And Duckduckgo is turning out to be a better search than Google
    plague search.

    And where would I be if I didn't have two computers ?
    You can't be hardware poor and expect a quick result.

    Paul

    {chuckle}
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, January 31, 2026 01:42:48
    Paul wrote on 1/30/2026 2:34 PM:
    On Fri, 1/30/2026 3:29 PM, ...w­¤?ñ?¤ wrote:
    User Manual
    Chapter 1.2.1. Microsoft Windows
    Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime. At the time of writing this includes Windows 11, 10, Server 2022, Server 2019, and Server 2016. It also requires the following:

    Older versions of Windows which are outside Microsoft?s extended lifecycle support window are no longer supported. It is often difficult or impossible to support these systems due to circumstances beyond our control, such as third party libraries on which we depend or due to necessary features that are only present in newer versions of Windows such as hardened security or memory management.
    </qp>

    Note the first line...
    "Wireshark should support any version of Windows that is still within its extended support lifetime."
    ÿ- it, in the same section it also states - "Older versions of Winodows which are Microsoft's extended support window are no longer supported."

    That information, most likely, pre-dates the end of extended support for Windows 10...but to be fair, it does not state the current version or earlier will no longer function on Windows 10.


    Well, actually, at the time, I was on MacOSX 10.2 or 10.3 and absolutely no "Wireshark
    versus MacOSX" information existed. I had to try them manually one at a time. Really :-/
    On MacOSX, the versioning was "really sharp", and only a couple files would work,
    and later releases might only work on 10.4 or whatever.

    We've all struggled from time to time with software versions working/not working, absent of good documentation, lack of feature compatibility on
    any o/s chosen for use.

    Like you, iirc you mentioned in another thread, and many others I started
    on the Apple side vs. the IBM/MSFT/DOS side. Apple(1978-1997
    models(I,II, II+ //e, III(used from an accounting firm information tech auditor), MAC, skipped Lisa, skipped //c, more MAC).
    Windows-wise the first device was 1990(3.0), but comfort and majority of
    use going forward instead of Apple began 1994(W95 beta, NAV beta(Peter
    Norton, not Symantec) and MSN beta).

    The //e with a 10 MB Profile and two 3.5 floppy drives was my favorite
    Apple device. Ran a dial in BBS system(Sectorvision, 6 different
    groups/rooms) on that device for ~6 yrs ending in 1992, sign-up/use was
    free, donations accepted($1-2 max) - users peaked just shy of 300..sold
    the devices and the BBS software.

    Lol...instead of continuing buying newer MAC(selling and donated some of
    the older devices as later models became available), it made more sense
    to just buy Apple and start buying MSFT stock to periodically fund my
    hardware every so often.

    Don't know about you, but for me it was more about hobby, learning, and
    just another type of extra-curricular entertainment...48 yrs later, it
    still holds those same values. These days some of that is tempered with
    just Win10/11 and just a manageable amount of software.
    => I've yet to buy any software that was not compatible with my current Windows operating systems <g>


    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, January 31, 2026 01:48:33
    Alan K. wrote on 1/30/2026 7:03 AM:
    On 1/30/26 2:40 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:
    Yup. I'm always open as I say things the way they truly are.
    Andy gave us all the link to the desktop version on Costco online:
    ÿ <https://i.postimg.cc/Nfrz5Ggj/Costco-Online-Turbo-Tax.jpg>
    I have all those boxes too, and for the life of me I have no idea why I
    keep them.
    I even have printed copies of the returns, now that means more.

    +1 on TTax boxed product(contains the product key).
    - one of these days, since those older versions, boxes will never be
    used, but their disc media just might take the same path as those old AOL
    CD's => glue them to pigeon(clay) for skeet! PULL!
    - easier to see with reflective properties <g>

    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.8
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)