[KB3361] I receive the error message "A system restart from a previous installation or update is pending, and that setup cannot continue” while installing ESET products (Windows)

Issue

• While attempting to install ESET products, you receive one of the following error messages:
  • "A system restart from a previous installation or update is pending, and that setup cannot continue."
  • "The computer has not been restarted after a program uninstallation. Please restart the computer and run the installer again."

Solution

1. Create a System Restore point
2. Modify the UpdateExeVolatile registry value
3. Delete the PendingFileRenameOperations registry value
4. Delete the InProgress registry value

Before you continue, restart your computer up to two times to ensure all pending operations are completed.

After you restart, 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.

I. Create a System Restore point

Create a System Restore point by following the steps in the Microsoft Knowledgebase article.

II. 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. Type 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 part III.

III. 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 part IV.

IV. 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. If you are still unable to install your product, you may also need to run the ESETUninstaller Tool from Windows Safe Mode.

   • Manually uninstall my Windows ESET product

Need further assistance? Contact ESET Technical Support.