Fatal error 1603 when trying to update Turbotax 2020

I've used TT for more than two decades. I've noticed that it's getting slower, while my computer is getting faster. I'd have to guess, as a retired software developer, that it's getting full of fat, and there is no one person who understands the structure of the application anymore. This is the death knell for an application. First, to suggest that the user run the program as administrator is asking for trouble. I venture to say that 95% of Win10 users have no idea what that means, and certainly should not be doing it until they were educated on it. Second, to suggest that whatever virus protection is running be deactivated is, again, asking far too much of the average computer user. Finally, NOT KNOWING that the only good solution is to uninstall/install the application is a HUGE soft spot from a technician who comes here to offer advice on how to fix the problem. Since WE, the USERS, now know it, it should be addressed by the development team and should be FIXED.

I join the others here who have lost trust in TurboTax. I may or may not drop it, as there are several other packages I've ignored in the interest of maintaining the same flow each year, especially since we use it ONLY ONCE A YEAR. It's a crucial part of our lives, and to crash and burn, with no technical expertise evident, is just showing your age. It's a pity, but I see TT going down the drain next year.

First, THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO RESPOND TO THE ORIGINAL POST BY BILL!  I never post this kind of stuff, but want others to not waste the time that I have.  

Have used TT for decades, have never had a problem, use Deluxe and always have ordered CD.  One family member finished their return on 4/25/21 and on 4/26/21 was near the end of a second when the innocent "Update software before filing" message came up, and locked us out.

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! tried everything, checked and did Windows updates, posted Intuit update to desk top, turned off security settings...  Was even foolish enough to call a human being in support at TT which was a two transfer nightmare and waste of time.  Based on this thread did the following and it worked out for me:

1. You are a great person, and your have a wonderful computer, it isn't either of you it's them!!!
2. Please note over the the years have always done a quick "File, Save" as I am working through a return just in case because...
3. Our return isn't saved in the program itself, it's saved to our computer or cloud etc.  So when the $#@%^&! program locks us out we can recover it depending when we saved it along the way.
4. Again I use a disc version, so.... uninstalled all my old versions of TT on my desktop including 2020.
5. I reloaded the 2020 disc.  Please note it did not ask me to reinput my license code.
6. It asked me to update.  Breath in, breath out.  It's them not us, it's them not us... I resisted the temptation to toss my computer across the room and pressed the button.
7. It loaded properly after update and I was back to page with Continue your return.  Previous completed return appeared, and in progress one was there too.  I wiped the tears from my eyes to see the screen better.

8. dbc327 (THANK YOU!) above mentioned Updater Preferences.  When reloading program it will show automatic updates and we can't change at that point.  Once reloaded in upper left corner of TT menu please go to Online>Updater Preferences>(I choose) Ask me before getting updates.

9. Toward end of return when it asked me to run update (Fool me once...) decided to select no.  Finished second return have one more to go.
10. May the Force be with you.  Soooooo hope this works for you too!

You are welcome and glad it worked. I tried all the other fixes also and none worked. I too was afraid that I might lose what I had already entered but to my pleasure it was all still there. Take care.

I have been dealing with this same problem and trying to fix it, but kept getting 'Error: 1603' until this morning! This morning the TurboTax 2020 Update worked. I think they must have installed a solution overnight. Problem is now solved and I can open TurboTax and continue work on my taxes. Yeah!

Hi, My name is Talita. I'm an Independent Advisor and I'll be glad to help you today.

Please see if this article answers your questions:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/bugs-and-erro...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Possible causes of the error:

• An antivirus, antimalware, firewall, desktop search, or backup program is interfering with Windows Installer.

• You do not have enough free space on your hard drive (s).

• You are not logged on as an administrator.

• An unknown Microsoft Installer error has occurred.

Solution

Follow these steps:

1. Shut down and restart your computer.
2. Log in as the computer's administrator.
3. Temporarily disable running antivirus, antimalware, firewall, desktop search, or backup programs.
4. Try to install TurboTax.
5. If the error persists, try to download the Windows Installer version more

I hope these tips help you. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Sincerely

Talita C.