office update: cannot close program "system"

Question

When I try to run the Office 2013 update on Win 8, an error message tells me to Close some programs.

All programs are closed. But not the program "system".

What can I do?

John

Germany

Answer 1

Hi John,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for posting the question. It looks like there is an instance of Office product running in the background or corruption with Office 2013 installation files.

Let us follow the steps.

Step 1:

Let us open task manger and end any Office application process. Follow the steps:

1. Let us press the Ctrl + Alt+ Delete key -> Click on Task Manager to open.
2. Under Processes tab -> select the Office application process -> Click on End Process.

The processes name for the Office applications are Winword.exe, excel.exe, powerpoint.exe, onenote.exe etc.

Step 2:

Restart the computer in Clean Boot and installing Microsoft Office 2013. Refer the article on How to restart the computer in Clean Boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After you have finished troubleshooting in clean boot, ensure you restart the computer in normal mode.

Step 3:

Let us repair the Office 2013 suite and check if it works. Refer to the following link on how to perform a Quick repair and Online repair of Office 2013 suite:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher-help/repair-or-remove-office-HA010357402.aspx

Once done let us check for Office 2013 updates and install. I hope the steps provided fixes the issue.

If the issue persists, reply and we will be glad to assist you further.

Thank You

Answer 2

Hi,

Provide additional information for better assistance:

1. How are you trying to install the Office updates? Is it manually or through automatic updates?
2. Did you try the troubleshooting steps provided by Srinivasu Guntimadugu in his previous replies (starting computer in clean boot, repairing or re-installation of Office)?

If not, restart the computer and repair the Office suite and then try installing the update and verify the result.

Reply with necessary information and the result for further assistance.

Thank You.

Answer 3

Ummm... "System" is the ntoskrnl.exe, which is the core of the operating system. You can't close "System" without shutting down your computer. I get the same error message, and it makes no sense. My update continues to try, but can never complete...

Answer 4

Hi John,

Thank you for replying.

Let us follow the Method 1 to remove any traces of Office 2013 installation filesusing the Microsoft Troubleshooter from the following article on your home computer**:**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2739501

Login to www.office.com/myaccount with the same Live ID which was used to purchase Office 2013 Suite and click Install Office.

I hope this helps in installing Office 2013 and latest updates successfully. If not, reply and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank You

Answer 5

Thanks for your advice. I followed all steps, but the Problem occurs in step 3 again.

When I try to quick repair or online repair Office 2013, after some error messages (please Close program ...) the error message shows:

 Cannot close program "System".

I can only exit this message and finish.

Dear Srinivasu Guntimadugu, what can I do.

rgrds

John (Germany)