H&R BLOCK 2019 BUSINESS SOFTWARE WILL NOT OPEN ANY MORE

Hi Jim,

Read all the posts here starting from January 2nd.

-Nick

This is Windows 10.

I had been using the 2019 H&R Block business software just fine. Last time used was July 15, 2020.

Went to open to prepare Sub-S return on Sept 12 and kept getting an error message saying it could not open. I tried having Geek Squad look at it. They spent about 2 1/2 hours running diagnostics and could not figure it out. I had another IT pro look at it for about 3 hours, ran diagnostics and the best he could figure was that it was a Microsoft update that somehow corrupted the ordering sequence for the program to open. All of my clients are locked up now. The other thing is that it also corrupted the 2018 program so I cannot access those files either.

Tried downloading a new 2019 Block program. Overwrote the old one. Still same problem. Loaded the software from the disc. Same problem.

Trying to get through to Block is a joke. You will spend hours on the phone.

Any thoughts?

It's and HRB issue, not a MSFT issue.

To D.HARRIS2,

I've tried everything I could think of to move the 2019 'file' from an old Win10 computer to a new Win10 computer.

I'm not an 'expert', but almost always get to find a 'work-around' for software 'problems'. Not in this case.

First problem, as I see it, requires now Win10 for H&R Business 2019 (and later) and will not work on Win7.

Second and most important problem: H&R Business 2019 does not create a 'file' for the actual return. ( If anyone thinks otherwise, please let us know!)

This applies to Business portion only; Personal returns still create a physical file.

Search your computer all you want. There is no physical 'atx' file there for 2019 Business return. ( 'atx' was the file type for old H&R Block Business files prior to 2019)

You can create a 'Backup' of your return and copy it to a new computer. However, you would not be able to use 'Restore' option on new installation.

I've tried renaming 'Backup' - does not work.

My current 'strategy': get a paper copy of your 2019 return, re-enter all the information manually and hope that your new Win10 computer will last for many years.

If anyone has the actual, verified solution, please let everyone know!

So grateful this information is out here.  I was able to restore 2018 and 2019 returns.  Curious though, did the restore reset anyone else's e-file status?  I'm positive I submitted the e-file and it was accepted, but when I look at my restored return now the status is only created.

fwiw, a chat agent at h&r told me to expect Updates to the Business program within a week a two. some form updates have already been rolled out, so there may be program updates coming too. i don't know how accurate this information is, but hopefully the program updates will fix the problem. we'll see. meanwhile, i've halted windows updates and 2020 is still working.