Error 87 other installer running

Question

My new tower will not allow me to install new programs. Error message 87 other installer is running. I opened the task manger found window installer is running, startup is set to manual, but the buttons on the general tab and all other tabs are not active so I cannot stop the program from running.

Answer 1

The error message "Error 87 other installer running" typically indicates that another installation process is currently active, which is preventing you from installing new programs. Since you mentioned that the Windows Installer service is running and you cannot stop it through the Task Manager, here are a few steps you can try:

1. Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, simply restarting your computer can resolve the issue by terminating any stuck installation processes.
2. Use Command Prompt: You can try stopping the Windows Installer service using the Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands:
   • net stop msiserver
   • net start msiserver
3. Check for Pending Installations: If there are any pending installations or updates, they might be causing the issue. Check Windows Update and ensure there are no ongoing installations.
4. Safe Mode: Booting into Safe Mode can help you stop the Windows Installer service. Once in Safe Mode, you can try to stop the service or uninstall any problematic programs.
5. Check for Software Conflicts: Sometimes, other software can interfere with the installation process. Make sure that no other installation processes are running in the background.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

---

References:

• Event log message indicates that the Windows Installer reconfigured all installed applications

Answer 2

Hi ,

Do the following: open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, find msiexec, and end the process.

Try the installation.

Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

Thanks