How to Fix the “Installation Ended Prematurely Because of an Error” Issue on Windows

Do you encounter a strange error message that reads “Installation ended prematurely because of an error” when installing applications on a Windows PC? If yes, worry not; it’s a pretty common Windows error. The prompt mainly appears when some specific services are not running on the system.

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to troubleshoot this error message. Just try the below solutions to get rid of the problem for good.

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What Cause the “Installation Stopped Prematurely” Error on Windows?

The error message isn’t limited to a specific Windows version; all modern Windows systems can display this error. The problem mainly appears when the Windows Installer Service is disabled, but there are other culprits that can be responsible for this error, too:

Now let’s check out different solutions you can try to get rid of this error prompt.

Dell monitor showing Windows 10 desktop

1. Run the Installer as an Administrator

The problem mainly appears due to a lack of administrative privileges. So, make sure you are running the executable with admin access. You can do it by following the below steps.

Check if you still encounter the Installer stopped prematurely error. If yes, move on to the next solution.

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2. Enable the Windows Installer Service

To install, modify, or remove any application, you must ensure that the Windows Installer is enabled under the Services panel. If it’s disabled, you’ll come across a variety of issues when installing applications, such as the “installation stopped prematurely” error.

it’s possible to enable this service by following the below steps.

firefox logo with yellow warning symbol

That’s it. Now try installing the application with admin rights and check if the problem continues.

3. Clear the Temp Folder

The temp folder contains temporary files of all the installed applications. These files help the applications to offer faster service. But if the content of the temp folder gets corrupt, it will cause various issues.

So, make sure to regularly clear the temp folder to keep the system free from problems. Here’s how to do it.

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4. Re-Register VBScript.dll and the Windows Installer Service

The next solution on the list is to re-register the VBScript.dll and Windows Installer Service. Either or both of the services can get disabled during virus scans or system restoration.

You’ll have to re-register both these services to solve the problem in the discussion. Here’s how.

That’s it. Now reboot the system and check if the problem continues. If yes, try the next solution on the list.

5. Turn On .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.8

The NET Framework helps create and run software applications on Windows. If you have Windows 10, you can try installing.NET Framework 3.5to fix this error. On Windows 11, you need .NET Framework 4.8.

Here’s how to get either version of .NET Framework:

Wait until the selected package is installed successfully on the system. Once done, reboot and check for the issue.

6. Disable or Uninstall Any Third-Party Antivirus Programs

The problem in the discussion can appear due to third-party antivirus programs installed in the system. These programs can interfere with the installation process and cause issues. As a solution, disable or permanently uninstall all such applications and check if it fixes the problem.

If this works, try another antivirus or use Microsoft Defender instead. If it doesn’t work, don’t forget to re-enable or reinstall your antivirus before continuing.

7. Run an SFC Scan

The System File Checker, aka SFC, is a Windows utility that detects and replaces corrupt system files. Running an SFC scan can help fix any issues with your system files, which can in turn fix your installation issues. Here’s how to do it:

Wait for the scan to finish, then try installing your app again.

7. Perform a Clean Boot

Different startup applications and drivers can be the reason why you’re facing the issue. You will have to disable all such applications and check if it resolves the problem. You can do it byperforming a clean boot.

Here’s how.

The system will start in the clean boot state on the next reboot.

8. Switch to a New Account

The “installation stopped prematurely” error can result from an issue with your current Windows account. If this is the case, consider switching to a new Windows account to solve the problem. Here’s how.

Now, follow the onscreen instructions to create a new account.

The “Installation Stopped Prematurely” Error, Fixed

Hopefully, the above solutions helped fix the issue. But if you still face the problem, most likely it is being caused due to an issue in the Windows installation. In this case,resetting Windowsis the best thing to consider.

Learn how to factory reset Windows using several methods, including from boot and manually reinstalling.

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