How to Fix Fix Error 0x80070652 — Another Installation Already in Progress on Windows
Getting error 0x80070652 "ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING"? Windows Update or app installation fails because another install is running? Fix this installation conflict.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Windows Update Errors →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Windows Update fails with error 0x80070652
- •"Another installation is already in progress" message
- •Can't install programs while Windows Update is running
- •Multiple updates fail with this error simultaneously
- •Error persists even after waiting for other installs to finish
- •Windows Installer service seems stuck
Common Causes
- ⚠Multiple Windows Update installations running simultaneously
- ⚠Windows Installer (msiexec) process hung from previous install
- ⚠Background app installation conflicting with update
- ⚠Previous installation didn't complete cleanly
- ⚠Windows Update service processing queue overflow
- ⚠Third-party installer running in background
Solutions
Solution 1: Wait or Restart
- 1First: simply wait 15-30 minutes — another install may genuinely be running
- 2Check Task Manager → look for msiexec.exe or TrustedInstaller processes
- 3If they're running and using CPU: wait for them to finish
- 4If they're stuck (0% CPU for extended time): restart your PC
- 5After restart: retry Windows Update or installation
- 6Don't try to install multiple things at the same time
- 7Let Windows Update finish all pending updates before installing apps
Solution 2: Kill Stuck Installer Processes
- 1Task Manager → Details tab
- 2Find and end: msiexec.exe (all instances)
- 3Find and end: TiWorker.exe (if stuck)
- 4Or CMD as Admin:
- 5taskkill /f /im msiexec.exe
- 6net stop msiserver && net start msiserver
- 7net stop wuauserv && net start wuauserv
- 8Retry your installation or update
Solution 3: Reset Windows Installer
- 1If error persists after restart:
- 2CMD as Admin: msiexec /unregister
- 3Then: msiexec /regserver
- 4This re-registers the Windows Installer service
- 5Also reset Windows Update:
- 6net stop wuauserv
- 7ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- 8net start wuauserv
- 9Check for updates again
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