How To Resolve The 1618 Windows Installer Error

When you attempt to run Windows Installer, or a program dependent on it, you may have experienced the 1618 error. This error means that you have more than one instance of Windows Installer running and so the process cannot continue. Windows Installer is a vital component of many installation programs and is widely popular in many applications, whether it be installing, uninstalling, updating or repairing the program.

What Causes Error 1618?

This error will show as:

ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING.

which may be followed by

Error 1618: Another installation is already in progress. Complete that installation before proceeding with this install.

This will arise when Windows Installer has more than one instance running. Solving this problem is quite simple, you will either have to end the other Windows Installer process or if the problem does not subside then carry out a registry scan with a recommended Registry Cleaner.

How To Fix Error Code 1618

Step 1 – Make Sure You Only Have One Instance Of Windows Installer Running

Having multiple Windows Installer processes can cause the application itself to get confused. Two Windows Installer procedures cannot be run at the same time, it has not been designed for that. If you are receiving the 1618 error message, you must close all other installation programs down. These may be in the task bar or, if there is a setup running in the background, in task manager. Always look out for any unusual processes or processes with names like “setup.msi” or “setup.exe” as these are the likely ones to be causing this conflict.

Preventing dual installers from loading up is also vital to maintain the integrity of your system.

To prevent a second instance of the Windows Installer, do not repackage a Windows Installer package into another Windows Installer package such as a custom .msi file. Office updating and upgrading will not work with nested installations with the current version of the Windows Installer.

All Office public updates include a bootstrapping program that is named OHotfix. While OHotfix is not the only tool that you can use to deploy updates, it is the easiest to use because it provides a lot of the necessary updating functionality.

You can also use other updating bootstrapping programs, such as a simple batch file or a complex custom program that uses the Windows Installer API calls.

A nested installation shares the same user interface and logging settings as the main installation. Developers should note the following warnings when authoring nested installations:

• Updating and upgrading may not work with nested installations.
• The Windows Installer may not correctly cost a nested installation.
• Nested installations cannot share components:
  • An administrative installation cannot also contain a nested installation.
  • Integrated ProgressBars cannot be used with nested installations.
  • Resources that are to be advertised cannot be installed by the nested installation.

Making sure that these routines are carried out correctly should asatain whether you will receive this error. This error is not that hard to avoid but does require a certain level of knowledge. However, if the above did not provide the solution, you must carry on to the next step and use a “Registry Cleaner”.

Step 2 – Use A Registry Cleaner

– Download this registry cleaner

Another way to fix this error is to use a ‘registry cleaner’ application to repair the various damaged settings the right might have. The registry is a database inside the Windows system which stores important settings & options for your PC. Unfortunately, this database is continually being damaged, preventing Windows installer from being able to use it correctly. To fix this problem, it’s highly recommended you use a “registry cleaner” program to fix any of the damaged settings that are inside this database. Not many people realize it, but this could be the reason why the 1618 error is appearing.