A Restart from a Previous Installation is Pending

Issue

Installing a software you get the error: "A Restart from a Previous Installation is Pending"

Solution

Before continuing, restart your computer up to two times to ensure all pending operations have completed. After restarting, run the installation again. If the issue persists, you can modify or delete the registry keys referenced below, which may contain orphaned values that are preventing you from installing your product. Modify the UpdateExeVolatile registry value

The UpdateExeVolatile registry value shows that a previous software update installation was not completed and that the system must be restarted to finish the installation. An orphaned UpdateExeVolatile registry value might be the cause of this issue.

  1. Open the Windows Registry Editor
    • Windows XP: Click Start → Run, type regedit and then click OK
    • Windows Vista / 7: Click Start, type regedit in the Search field and then press Enter
    • Windows 8 & 10: Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard, type regedit and then click OK.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates.
  3. Double-click the UpdateExeVolatile value.
  4. Enter 0 into the Value data field and click OK.
  5. Close Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your computer and attempt to run the installation again. If you are still unable to install your product, proceed to the next step.

Delete the PendingFileRenameOperations registry value

The PendingFileRenameOperations registry value indicates that a user or program has tried to rename a file that is in use. The file names are stored in the value of this entry until the system is restarted and then they are renamed. To resolve this issue, you will need to delete the PendingFileRenameOperations registry value:

  1. Open the Windows Registry Editor:
    • Windows XP: Click Start → Run, type regedit and then click OK
    • Windows Vista / 7: Click Start, type regedit in the Search field and then press Enter
    • Windows 8 & 10: Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard, type regedit and then click OK.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager.
  3. Right-click the PendingFileRenameOperations value and select Delete from the context menu. When prompted, click Yes to confirm the delete operation.
  4. Close Registry Editor
  5. Restart your computer and attempt to run the installation again. If you are still unable to install your product, proceed to the next step.

Delete the InProgress registry value

The InProgress registry value indicates that an installation has been registered as still in progress, suspended, incomplete, or interrupted, and might be the cause of this issue.

  1. Open the Windows Registry Editor
    • Windows XP: Click Start → Run, type regedit and then click OK
    • Windows Vista / 7: Click Start, type regedit in the Search field and then press Enter
    • Windows 8 & 10: Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard, type regedit and then click OK.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer.
  3. Right-click the InProgress value and select Delete from the context menu. When prompted, click Yes to confirm the delete operation.
  4. Close Registry Editor.
  5. Restart your computer and attempt to run the installation again.