Fix “Another Program Is Being Installed” Error on Windows 10
Windows 10 does not support the concurrent installation of multiple apps. You can install one app after another but you cannot run multiple installers at the same time.
This is because when an app is installed, it creates directories and writes to the registry. The process cannot be interrupted or run parallel to another similar process. The chances of error would be far too great.
“Another program is being installed” Error
If you’re trying to install an app on Windows 10, and you see the ‘Another program is being installed… Installer error’ it may mean one of the following;
- An app is actively being installed and the installation isn’t complete
- An app is being updated, uninstalled, or repaired
- The installation has finished but the installer itself did not quit
- The installer was run but the process did not initiate
- An installer is preparing to install an app
- The installation has finished but a system restart is pending
How to fix Another program is being installed
Regardless of the cause for the error, you can run through the following fixes and resolve it.
1. Wait for the installation to complete
Many apps will show an on-screen progress bar as they go through the various steps of installation however, not all of them do. Some apps, especially those that install additional libraries may do so silently in the background. If you see the Another program is being installed… Installer error, wait at least fifteen minutes for the installation to complete, and then try installing a second app.
2. Manually quit the installation
If the app’s installation hasn’t finished after waiting for a reasonable amount of time, you can manually quit it. You should know that this may result in the app not installing correctly or at all.
- Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager from the context menu.
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Look for the installer/EXE/MSI process and select it.
- Click the End task button at the bottom right.
3. Eject installation media
Try removing any installation media that you’ve connected to the system e.g., a DVD, CD, or USB drive. Doing so will likely interrupt the installation process but it will allow you to install the second app.
4. Restart the system
If all else fails, you can restart the system. When the system restarts, it will quit all on-going processes and they will not run again when you boot back to the desktop.
5. Run a virus scan
The app that you’re trying to install may be malicious and one reason why its installation will not complete, or why it is blocking other apps from installing. Run a virus scan with Windows Defender.
- Open Windows Defender.
- Go to the Virus and threat protection tab.
- Click Scan Options.
- Click Scan Now.
- Scan the entire system and remove any infections that are found.
Note: It’s also a good idea to scan your system with the free version of MalwareBytes.
Conclusion
If you have an app that never finishes installing, it may be corrupted. You can try downloading it again and running the installer but there is a good chance there is a problem with the installer itself. In this case, there isn’t much you can. Find an alternative to the app and uninstall any component of the app that may have been installed.
