Article ID: 214643 - Last Review: January 24, 2007 - Revision: 1.3

Error Message: The Installation/Removal of a Previous Program Was Not Completed

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This article was previously published under Q214643
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/EN-US/ ) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

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SYMPTOMS

When you are installing a program that uses the InstallShield Wizard, you may receive one of the following error messages:

In Windows 95 or Windows 98
The installation/removal of a previous program was not completed. Setup must restart your computer before proceeding with Installation. After windows has been restarted, please run setup again to complete installation
In Windows Millennium
A previous program installation was never completed. You need to restart your computer to complete that installation before running Internet Explorer Setup. Setup will now close.
If you restart the computer as suggested and then try to install the program again, you receive the same error message.
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CAUSE

This behavior can occur if there are pending file rename or delete operations.
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RESOLUTION

Windows Me

To resolve this issue, rename the Wininit.ini file:
  1. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
  2. In the Search for files or folders named box, type wininit.ini.
  3. In the Look in box, click Local hard drives, and then click Search Now.
  4. In the Search Results window, right-click the Wininit.ini file, click Rename, type wininit.xxx, and then click OK.

    NOTE: The file should be located in the Windows folder.
  5. Close the Search Results window.
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Windows 95/Windows 98

  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type wininit.ini.
  3. In the Look in box, click Local hard drives, and then click Find Now.
  4. Right-click the Wininit.ini file, click Rename, type wininit.xxx, and then click OK.

    NOTE: The file should be located in the Windows folder.
  5. Close the Find Files window.
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Windows NT

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, remove the "PendingFileRenameOperations" value from the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbfaq kbprb kbsetup KB214643
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