Article ID: 912835 - Last Review: September 28, 2011 - Revision: 4.0

Error message when you try to install a game: "Setup cannot install system files"

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to install any one of the products that are listed in the "Applies to" section, you receive the following error message:
Setup cannot install system files or update shared files if the files are in use. Before continuing, close any open applications.
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CAUSE

This error message occurs when you install software on a computer that is running any Microsoft Windows operating system. If the files that must be updated during the installation are being used by other programs, the files are not updated until the computer is restarted.
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RESOLUTION

We suggest that you close any nonessential programs such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Windows Media Player before you install any new software. Additionally, we suggest that you restart the computer after any software is installed to make sure that the installation is completed successfully.
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MORE INFORMATION

Sometimes, you may want to restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure before you install software. For information about how to restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure and how to troubleshoot other installation issues, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
258496  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/258496/ ) Games: How to troubleshoot Setup problems in Microsoft games
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator X Standard
  • Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition
  • Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
  • Microsoft Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion
  • Microsoft Age of Mythology: The Titans
  • Microsoft Age of Mythology Gold
  • Microsoft Age of Mythology
  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater
  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator: WWII Europe Series
  • Microsoft Dungeon Siege
  • Microsoft Dungeon Siege II
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Century of Flight
  • Microsoft Freelancer
  • Microsoft Halo: Combat Evolved for PC
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Black Knight
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
  • Microsoft Motocross Madness 2
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations: Gold Edition
  • Microsoft Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs 1.0
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon Complete Collection
  • Microsoft Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania
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Keywords: 
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