Ever found yourself with a software program you no longer need, taking up precious space on your computer or simply cluttering your digital life? Perhaps you've upgraded to a newer version of TurboTax, or maybe your tax situation no longer requires the Deluxe edition. Whatever the reason, completely removing TurboTax Deluxe from your system can feel a bit daunting. Fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a clean and thorough uninstallation on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Let's dive in and get your system decluttered!
The Complete Guide to Removing TurboTax Deluxe
Step 1: Prepare for a Smooth Uninstallation (Don't Skip This!)
Before we begin the actual removal process, it's crucial to take a few preparatory steps. This will help ensure you don't lose important data and that the uninstallation goes as smoothly as possible.
1.1 Back Up Your Tax Files
This is the most important step. While uninstalling the program itself usually doesn't affect your tax data files, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Imagine losing years of tax records!
Locate Your Tax Files: By default, TurboTax saves your tax files (usually with a
.taxextension, e.g.,MyTaxReturn2024.tax2024) in your "Documents" folder, often within a "TurboTax" subfolder.Copy to a Safe Place: Copy these files to an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or a cloud storage service (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). This way, even if something goes wrong with your computer, your valuable tax data is secure.
Consider PDF Exports: For an extra layer of security and easy viewing, you might also want to open your tax returns in TurboTax and export them as PDF files. This provides a readily accessible, non-editable copy of your filed returns.
1.2 Close TurboTax Completely
Before attempting to uninstall, make sure TurboTax Deluxe is not running in the background.
Check the Taskbar/Dock: Look for the TurboTax icon in your system tray (Windows) or Dock (Mac). If you see it, right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac) and select "Exit" or "Quit."
Task Manager (Windows): If you're unsure, press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. Look for any TurboTax-related processes under the "Processes" tab, select them, and click "End task."Activity Monitor (Mac): Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. Search for "TurboTax," select any running processes, and click the "X" button to quit them. If prompted, choose "Force Quit."
1.3 Gather Your Administrative Rights
To uninstall software, especially a program like TurboTax, you'll need administrative privileges on your computer.
Windows: Ensure you are logged in as an administrator. If not, you may be prompted to enter an administrator password during the uninstallation process.
Mac: You'll likely need to enter your macOS user password during the uninstallation.
Step 2: Uninstalling TurboTax Deluxe on Windows
The process for Windows is fairly straightforward and involves using the built-in "Add or Remove Programs" utility.
2.1 Accessing the Uninstall Tool
There are a couple of ways to get to where you need to be:
Windows 10/11 (Settings):
Click on the Start button (the Windows icon).
Click on the gear icon (Settings).
Select Apps, then Apps & features.
Scroll down or use the search bar to find "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe" (e.g., "TurboTax 2024 Deluxe").
Windows 7/8/10 (Control Panel):
Click on the Start button.
Select Control Panel.
Choose Uninstall a program (or Programs and Features, if your view is set to large/small icons).
Scroll down the list of installed programs to find "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe."
2.2 Initiating the Uninstallation
Once you've located TurboTax Deluxe in the list:
Select TurboTax Deluxe: Click on the entry for your specific TurboTax Deluxe version (e.g., "TurboTax 2024 Deluxe") to highlight it.
Click "Uninstall": You'll see an "Uninstall," "Remove," or "Change/Remove" button. Click it.
Follow On-Screen Prompts: A TurboTax uninstaller wizard will appear. Carefully follow the instructions. It might ask you to confirm your decision or offer options like "Repair" or "Uninstall." Select "Uninstall TurboTax."
2.3 Dealing with Leftover Files and Folders (Optional but Recommended)
Even after a standard uninstall, some residual files, folders, and registry entries might remain. While generally harmless, removing them ensures a truly clean slate.
Program Files Directory:
Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
Navigate to
C:\Program Files (x86)\orC:\Program Files\.Look for a folder named "Intuit" or "TurboTax" and, if found, delete it. Be cautious and ensure it only contains TurboTax-related files before deleting.
User Data Folders:
Open File Explorer.
Type
%appdata%in the address bar and press Enter. Look for "Intuit" or "TurboTax" folders and delete them.Type
%localappdata%in the address bar and press Enter. Again, look for "Intuit" or "TurboTax" folders and delete them.Check your "Documents" folder for any remaining "TurboTax" folders after you've backed up your tax files.
Registry Entries (Advanced - Proceed with Caution!):
Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious system problems. Only proceed if you are comfortable and have backed up your registry (optional, but good practice for advanced users).
Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog.Type
regeditand press Enter.Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IntuitandHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intuit.Look for subkeys related to TurboTax and delete them. Again, be absolutely sure you are deleting only TurboTax-related keys.
Step 3: Uninstalling TurboTax Deluxe on Mac
Uninstalling applications on a Mac is generally simpler, often involving just dragging to the Trash. However, for a complete removal, a few more steps are beneficial.
3.1 Quitting the Application
Ensure TurboTax Deluxe is completely shut down.
Quit from Dock: Right-click (or Control-click) the TurboTax icon in your Dock and select "Quit."
Force Quit (if necessary): If it won't quit, press
Command + Option + Escto open the "Force Quit Applications" window. Select "TurboTax" and click "Force Quit."
3.2 Moving to Trash
The primary method of uninstalling on macOS.
Open Applications Folder: Open a new Finder window, then click "Applications" in the sidebar.
Locate and Drag: Find the "TurboTax [Year] Deluxe.app" icon. Click and drag this icon directly to the Trash in your Dock. Alternatively, you can right-click (or Control-click) the application icon and select "Move to Trash."
Authenticate: You may be prompted to enter your macOS user password to confirm the move.
3.3 Deleting Associated Files (Recommended for a Clean Uninstall)
While moving the app to Trash removes the main program, many applications leave behind preference files, caches, and application support files.
Open Library Folder: The user Library folder is hidden by default.
In Finder, click "Go" in the top menu bar.
Hold down the Option key, and "Library" will appear in the dropdown menu. Click it.
Navigate and Delete: Once in the Library folder, look for folders named:
Application Support(look for "TurboTax" or "Intuit" folders)Caches(look forcom.intuit.turbotax.[year]or similar)Preferences(look forcom.intuit.turbotax.[year].plistor similar)Carefully delete any folders or files specifically related to TurboTax Deluxe. Be cautious not to delete other important system files.
3.4 Emptying the Trash
This finalizes the removal.
Empty Trash: Right-click (or Control-click) on the Trash icon in your Dock and select "Empty Trash."
Confirm: Confirm that you want to permanently delete the items.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
Whether you're on Windows or Mac, a restart is always a good idea after uninstalling software. This helps to clear any lingering processes, update system paths, and ensure all changes take effect.
Windows: Click Start, then Power, then Restart.
Mac: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then Restart....
Step 5: Verify Successful Removal
After restarting, quickly check to ensure TurboTax Deluxe is truly gone.
Windows: Go back to "Apps & features" (Settings) or "Programs and Features" (Control Panel) and verify that "TurboTax Deluxe" is no longer listed.
Mac: Check your "Applications" folder to ensure the TurboTax Deluxe app icon is no longer present.
If you followed all the steps, your system should now be free of TurboTax Deluxe!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to uninstalling TurboTax Deluxe, with quick answers:
How to uninstall TurboTax Deluxe if it's not listed in Add/Remove Programs (Windows)?
If it's not listed, try using a third-party uninstaller tool or manually deleting the program's files and registry entries (as described in Step 2.3), though this requires more caution.
How to ensure all TurboTax Deluxe files are removed from my computer?
After the standard uninstallation, manually check the Program Files, AppData (Windows), or Library (Mac) folders for any remaining "Intuit" or "TurboTax" directories and delete them.
How to remove TurboTax Deluxe from a Mac completely?
Drag the application to the Trash, then manually delete associated files from
~/Library/Application Support,~/Library/Caches, and~/Library/Preferences.
How to uninstall an older version of TurboTax Deluxe before installing a new one?
It's generally recommended to uninstall older versions first to prevent conflicts, though sometimes new installations can overwrite old ones. Follow the steps above for a clean removal of the old version.
How to find my TurboTax tax data files before uninstalling?
Your tax files are usually located in your "Documents" folder, often within a "TurboTax" subfolder, and end with a
.taxextension (e.g.,MyTaxReturn2024.tax2024).
How to downgrade from TurboTax Deluxe to a lower version online?
In TurboTax Online, if you haven't paid or registered, you can usually use the "Clear & Start Over" option and then select a different product. Some versions might also have a "Switch Products" or "Downgrade" option in the menu.
How to uninstall TurboTax Deluxe if it keeps giving an error?
Ensure you have administrative rights. If the error persists, try restarting your computer and trying again. For persistent issues, contact TurboTax support for specific troubleshooting.
How to remove a state tax program from TurboTax Deluxe?
Typically, you don't "uninstall" a state program separately. If you're talking about the desktop software, the state module is integrated. If you mean online, you might clear your return and start over or simply not proceed with the state filing.
How to remove TurboTax Deluxe if I bought it as a CD/Download?
The uninstallation process for CD/Download versions is the same as described in Step 2 (Windows) or Step 3 (Mac), as they are installed applications.
How to prevent TurboTax Deluxe from launching on startup?
On Windows, go to Task Manager > Startup tab and disable TurboTax. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items and remove TurboTax from the list.