From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Carlos E.R. wrote:

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

I think it's download rather than boxed, but it does say

<https://costco.com/p/-/turbotax-deluxe/4000410325>
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From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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.



--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Chris 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?

See if you can spot it? ;)

When we buy TurboTax, we always buy the same version (e.g., Deluxe,
Premiere, etc.) but that's all that normally matters because nowadays, it's just a software key since you actually download the installation program.

There's nothing in the box but the key, Chris.
So why would you be reading the fine print on the box?

Deluxe is Deluxe and always has been (except in 2014, but that's a detail).

Imagine you have been buying the same brand of kitchen blender every year
for twenty years. It has always worked with any normal wall outlet, and
every other blender on the market still works with the same outlet.

Then suddenly the new model refuses to run unless your house has a brand
new type of electrical socket that only half the homes in the country even have.

The company claims the old socket is "no longer supported," but you then
find out that the commercial version of the exact same blender still works perfectly fine with the old socket for another full year.

That is the same situation here. We have been buying TurboTax Desktop for decades, there has never been a need to check for a strange new
requirement, no competing tax software requires Windows 11, and Intuit's
own business edition proves their justification is not true.

It is not something any reasonable person would think to check in the fine print.

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.

Windows 10 ESU is supported by Microsoft, Chris.

And worse, you have to purchase a new Windows 11 machine to use TurboTax desktop, which is a pretty big penalty for something that's not needed.

Plus, the justification is based on brazen lies, so that is evidence that
it's more of a marketing pitch than a serious concern of Intuit.

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.

It's clear Intuit is pushing people toward their cloud offerings, Chris, especially when they base their justification on brazen lies like they did.

Since you own an iPhone, you're familiar with that tactic, are you not?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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.
ESEfc-Efc+, EUEfc-Efc|;
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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-i|#-o-#-n|#
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From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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...
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

...wi+o#n+ 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.

You wouldn't even think of looking at the ingredients of a "whole chicken"
to find out that there's a new small print line saying "no chicken inside".

It's like buying a "coffee maker" and then discovering in the fine print
that it doesn't actually make coffee as it's just a kettle to boil water.

When you buy TurboTax Deluxe, all you (used to) need to know is "Deluxe".

And remember, the limitation is really there to sell you the online stuff based on the articles that Herbert and I found on the Internet from Intuit.

Note, the "business" TurboTax doesn't require you to buy a whole new PC.
Only the personal TurboTax won't run unless you purchase a Win11 new PC.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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???




--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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.
ESEfc-Efc+, EUEfc-Efc|;
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

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 |u 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 MicrosoftrCOs 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-i|#-o-#-n|#
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On Fri, 1/30/2026 3:29 PM, ...w-i|#-o-#-n|# 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".

-a-a-a 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 |u 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 MicrosoftrCOs 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."
-a- 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

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

...wi+o#n+ wrote:

It's like "muscle memory"... :)

Which can fail when circumstances change.

Funny story on "muscle memory" that happened yesterday when I was backing
up my Android to Windows without touching the sensitive USB connection.
Newsgroups: alt.comp.os.windows-10,comp.mobile.android,alt.comp.os.windows-11
Subject: PSA: Emergency backup of WhatsApp to Windows PC when Galaxy Android 13 USB port is kaput
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2026 19:14:53 -0500
Message-ID: <10m0ndu$1mk6$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Since I couldn't "move" the phone, at one point I had to type the commands
to back up PulseSMS/MMS from Android to Windows over the Wi-Fi with adb.

It literally needed a momentary USB connection to issue a single command.

Since I couldn't move the Android phone while tethered to the USB for that momentary USB connection, I had to use the keyboard sideways to type on.

Given I took typing on the old IBM Selectrics in the Vietnam War days, I'm
a fiend at typing, but for the life of me, I couldn't easily find the keys.

Why?
Because my "muscle memory" only works when the keyboard is oriented right.

As you stated, muscle memory can fali when the circumstances change, where,
in this case, if you orient a keyboard slightly differently, it can fail.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2