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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?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
As I reported before, it's a Windows UPDATE issue that causes an incompatibility with the database system used by H&R Block Business. After you restore your database, you should PAUSE Windows Updates (not Defender anti-virus definition updates, though) because the next time there's a major (monthly) Windows Update, it could cause H&R to stop working again.
For those looking for past data files, try directory *Documents\H&R Block Business* That's where I find my past *.atx files. Or search your drive for *.atx
I was just on the phone with HRB for a little less than an hour. I was having similar problem with both 2018 and 2019 Business (no problems with earlier years). I had uninstalled and reinstalled multiple times before calling support who had me do this as well. The software would install "successfully," but then the application never actually completed a startup.
The solution was to go to c:\ProgramData\H&R Block Business\H&R Block Business 2018 and then rename DataStore to DataStore.old . (He asked me to find a Restore file in this directory but there was none). I then started up the program and it starts and runs fine, including importing my 2017 tax return. ( A new DataStore was created in the directory)
I repeated the same in the directory for year 2019 with same success (minus importing a 2018 return because I don't yet have it there).
I did not need to do anything at all with rolling back Windows updates. I'll be interested to know if this fixes any of the rest of you.
Best wishes!
Worked fine! Thanks! I also had to restore the old files.
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I was just on the phone with HRB for a little less than an hour. I was having similar problem with both 2018 and 2019 Business (no problems with earlier years). I had uninstalled and reinstalled multiple times before calling support who had me do this as well. The software would install "successfully," but then the application never actually completed a startup.
The solution was to go to c:\ProgramData\H&R Block Business\H&R Block Business 2018 and then rename DataStore to DataStore.old . (He asked me to find a Restore file in this directory but there was none). I then started up the program and it starts and runs fine, including importing my 2017 tax return. ( A new DataStore was created in the directory)
I repeated the same in the directory for year 2019 with same success (minus importing a 2018 return because I don't yet have it there).
I did not need to do anything at all with rolling back Windows updates. I'll be interested to know if this fixes any of the rest of you.
Best wishes!
