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"Another installation is already in progress" error message preventing installation

Anonymous
2010-02-05T05:02:46+00:00

I am trying to install my printer software and just as it is about to finish, I get an error message telling me that another installation is already in progress. There is definitely no other installation in progress and I think it has something to do with Windows Installer not stopping when it is supposed to. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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Anonymous
2010-02-19T03:25:40+00:00

Hi gconant,

The steps that I’ve mentioned earlier is not only for printer software; tt is for any programs that you try to install.

If the steps for re-registering the Windows Installer is not working in normal mode, then I would suggest you to try it in Safe mode. It should work.

To boot the computer in Safe mode:

1.    Restart the computer and use F8 key.

2.    Under Windows Advanced Boot Options, select Safe mode and hit Enter.

3.    Once you login to Windows in Safe mode, open the command prompt and try executing the steps as mentioned earlier to re-register Windows Installer.

Restart the computer once you’re done with executing all the commands and install the latest version of Windows Installer.

Good Luck.

Mouneshwar R – Microsoft Support

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-19T15:48:27+00:00

    Here's the answer I was looking for...

    As has been suggested throughout many feeds on this question, I attempted to use Computer Manager to disable the msiexec service, but turns out I couldn't stop it because of the running tasks.  I went to task manager to try to just stop the service directly in the services tab, but couldn't.  Here's what ended up working:

    1.  Right-click the Start Button and select Task Manager
    2.  Click on the Services tab
    3.  Right-click on msiserver
    4.  Select "Show Details"
    5.  End each instance of any msiexec running task, which, in my case, there were 2.  

    After that, installing software was smooth sailing.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-20T15:04:56+00:00

    This is from Sheryl Canters page and it works, dont forget to click start after putting back to manual though.

    There’s a easy way to fix this.

    Right-click on the Computer icon, wherever it exists on your system, and select Manage. (I’m using the Classic Start menu, so the Computer icon is on my desktop. If you’re using the new Start menu, the icon is in the Start menu.) This opens the Computer Management utility.

    Select Services, right click on Windows Installer in the list and select Properties. If you’re having the problem, the Windows Installer service is started, and the Stop button is disabled. Simply rebooting doesn’t stop the service. Here’s how you stop it.

    In the Properties dialog, change Startup type to “Disabled”, click OK, and reboot your computer. This stops the service. After your computer reboots, again open Computer Management (right-click on Computer and select Manage), open Windows Installer Properties, and change the Startup type back to Manual. Now you’re good to go and can start a new installation.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-15T11:58:53+00:00

    Try opening the Task Manager and ending the "Windows Installer" task. It worked for me!

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-15T19:17:04+00:00

    Hi Mouneshwar,

    Firstly, my problem is not related to Printer installation. I encountered this problem while trying to install blackberry desktop manager & then have been facing this problem for anything that I try to install. I am puzzled as to which other installation activity is running in the background!

    Ok, I tried uninstalling the Windows Installer using the steps you mentioned. But on step # 3 *Typeattrib -r -s -h dllcache , and then press **ENTER,***I encounter the error "dllcache file not found".

    Pls do help. Cheers.

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