how to install visual studio

Question

Hello,
I’m trying to install Visual Studio on Windows 11, but I get an error at the start of the installation saying: “Sorry, something went wrong.” I’ve tried several solutions, but nothing has worked so far. I would really appreciate your help. Thank you!

Answer 1

If you're encountering the error message "Sorry, something went wrong" during the installation of Visual Studio on Windows 11, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for installing Visual Studio.
2. Run the Installer as Administrator: Right-click on the Visual Studio installer and select "Run as administrator" to give it the necessary permissions.
3. Disable Antivirus/Firewall: Sometimes, security software can interfere with the installation process. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall and try again.
4. Use the Installation Troubleshooter: Microsoft provides a troubleshooting guide for installation issues. You can refer to the Troubleshoot Visual Studio installation and upgrade issues for detailed steps.
5. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date, as missing updates can cause installation problems.
6. Clear Temporary Files: Sometimes, corrupted temporary files can cause issues. Use Disk Cleanup to clear temporary files before attempting the installation again.
7. Try a Different Installation Method: If the standard installer fails, consider using command-line parameters to install Visual Studio. You can find more information on this in the Use command-line parameters to install, update, and manage Visual Studio guide.

If none of these solutions work, consider reaching out for support through the installation chat or reporting the issue using the "Report a Problem" tool within the Visual Studio Installer.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Visual Studio installation and upgrade issues
• Use command-line parameters to install, update, and manage Visual Studio

Answer 2

If there is InstallCleanup.exe from previous attempts, try to use it:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/install/uninstall-visual-studio?view=visualstudio#remove-all-by-using-installcleanupexe

Restart the computer and retry the installation. Use the official links. Which version are you trying to install?

Answer 3

Hi Paata Terterashvili,

Thank you for your effort in trying to resolve this issue. Since I’m not sure which solutions you’ve already attempted, I’ve listed the most common causes of the “Something went wrong” error during Visual Studio installation.

Please review the checklist below:

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1.Administrator Privileges

If you’re installing Visual Studio on a company or school device, your account may not have the required admin rights. To verify this, right‑click the installer and choose Run as administrator.

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2.Antivirus / Firewall / Proxy

Security software can block the installer from downloading required components. If your machine uses any of these, try temporarily disabling them and run the setup again.

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3.System Requirement

Although Windows 11 meets the OS requirement, other factors such as available RAM, disk space, and compatibility utilities can affect installation. You can verify your specs using the official links:

• Visual Studio 2022 System Requirements
• Visual Studio 2026 System Requirements

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4.Clear Temporary & Previous Installation Files

Leftover components from older Visual Studio installations can cause conflicts.

Please manually check in Control Panel → Programs and Features to ensure older Visual Studio versions were fully removed.

Then delete any remaining Visual Studio folders from:

C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)
%APPDATA%

5.Update Windows

As a final but highly recommended step, open the Settings app, install all pending Windows updates, restart your PC, and try running the installer again.

You can download Visual Studio 2026 here

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I hope these steps help! If my answer was useful, kindly follow the instructions provided so others with the same problem can benefit as well.

You can also help me diagnose the issue faster by telling me which troubleshooting steps you’ve already attempted and the exact Visual Studio version you're installing.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.