How to Fix Error 0xC0070652 on Windows 10 when Uninstalling Applications?

Some Windows 10 users are reporting that they see the 0xC0070652 error every time they attempt to uninstall anything conventionally. The error message accompanying the error code is ‘Another installation is already in progress’, but most affected users are reporting that the issue returns even after they restarted their computer.

One of the most common causes that will end up triggering the 0xC0070652 error is a problem with the Windows Installer service. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the problem by forcing the service to restart via the Services screen.

If you’re only encountering this error while uninstalling a certain application, chances are this happens due to a conflict between a 3rd party service and ‘msiserver’. To fix this problem, you’ll need to use the Task Manager to stop the ‘msiserver’ from running while you’re doing the uninstallation.

However, the 3rd party culprit that’s causing the conflict might not be that easy to identify. If this scenario is applicable, you will need to perform a clean boot and then attempt to do the installation or uninstallation after you’ve ensured that there’s no 3rd party interference.

In case you’re encountering this issue with AVG Antivirus, it’s likely due to some leftover files that are remnant from an old installation. To fix the issue in this case, you’ll need to run the AVG Remover tool in order to ensure that the installation starts from scratch.

Method 1: Restarting the Windows Installer service

As it turns out, one of the most common causes that will spawn the 0xC0070652 error is an inconsistency with the main service involved in the process of uninstalling a program (Windows Installer service). In most cases, this problem occurs due to the fact that the Windows Installer service becomes stuck in a limbo state and cannot be called by the OS sub-component that needs it.

If this scenario is applicable, you can fix the issue swiftly by forcing a restart of the Windows Installer service.

Here’s a quick guide on restarting the Windows Installer service in order to fix the 0xC0070652 error:

1. Open up a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R. Next, type ‘service.msc’ inside the text box to open up the Services screen.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Services screen, move down to the right-hand section and scroll down through the list of active local services until you locate Windows Installer Service.
3. When you locate the Windows Installer service, right-click on it and click on Restart from the newly appeared context menu.

   

   Note: If the process is not started yet, click on Start first, then click on Restart.

4. Attempt to do the uninstallation again and see if the same issue is still occurring.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Stopping the ‘msiserver’ service

In case you’re only encountering the 0xC0070652 error when installing or uninstalling a certain application, it’s possible that it happens due to the fact that it’s using a dedicated service to complete the uninstallation – In some cases, this might end conflicting with the Windows Installer.

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue stopping the main Windows Installer service just before you attempt to do installation or uninstallation.

Here’s a quick guide that will allow you to do this:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to open up a Task Manager interface and click on More details if it opens with the simple interface.

   

2. Inside the detailed version of Task Manager, click on the Services tab, then scroll down through the list of services and locate ‘msiserver’.
3. Once you manage to locate it, right-click on it and then click on Stop from the newly appeared context menu.

   

   Note: If you have Google Backup / Sync installed, you might also need to disable the msiexec.exe. 

4. Now that the service is stopped, attempt to do the installation or uninstallation and see if you can complete the process without getting the 0xC0070652 error.

If the same error message is still appearing, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Running the AVG Remover Tool (if applicable)

In case you’re encountering the ‘Another installation is already in progress’ error when attempting to uninstall or install AVG Antivirus, it’s very likely that the issue is occurring due to the fact that you have some leftover files from a previous installation that are interfering with this operation.

In this case, you should be able to fix the issue by using their own proprietary AVG Remover tool in order to ensure that every file that might be interfering with this process is removed. But in order to do this, you’ll need to know your OS bit version in order to run the appropriate AVG removal tool.

Follow the instructions below to find out your OS architecture and run the appropriate removal tool to fix the ‘Another installation is already in progress’ error:

1. Open File Explorer, right-click on This PC and click on Properties from the newly appeared context menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the System screen, look under System at the System type to witness your current OS architecture.

   

   Note: If your System type is 64-bit, you will need to install the 64-bit version of AVG Remover tool. If it shows x86 (32-bit), you’ll need to use the 32-bit version.

3. Access this link (here) for 32-bit or this one (here) for the 64-bit version to initiate the download of the AVG Remover tool that’s compatible with your OS version.
4. After the download is complete, double-click on the avgclear.exe installer, click Yes at the UAC (User Account Controls), then click Yes when asked to reboot in Safe Mode.
   

   

5. Once the next startup is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the removal of every AVG remnant file.
6. When the operation is complete, restart once again to exit safe mode and see if the problem is fixed once the next startup sequence is complete.

In case this method wasn’t applicable or it didn’t fix the 0xC0070652 error, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Performing a Clean Boot Procedure

As it turns out, a 3rd party conflict might also be responsible for the apparition of this particular issue. In most cases, the 0xC0070652 error is caused by a process belonging to a different 3rd party suite.

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue booting in clean boot mode to investigate for a software conflicting and isolate the service or process that’s causing the problem. This operation was confirmed to be effective for a lot of affected users.

Keep in mind that by achieving a clean boot state, your computer will boot without any 3rd party services, processes and startup items that might contribute to the apparition of this error.

Here are the step by step instructions that will help you achieve this clean boot state:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘msconfig’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the System Configuration window.

   

   Note: When you’re prompted by the User Account Control (UAC) window, click Yes to grant admin access.

2. Once inside the System Configuration menu, click on the Services tab from the ribbon bar at the top, then check the box associated with Hide all Microsoft services – This will ensure that you don’t end up disabling any Microsoft service essential to your OS.

   

3.  After you exclude every essential service from the list, go ahead and click on the Disable all button – This will ensure that your next system startup is completed without any 3rd party service.
4. Once you’ve managed to deal with every relevant service, click on the Startup tab, then click on Open Task manager from the next menu.

   

5. That previous action will take you directly into the Startup tab of Task Manager. Once inside, start to systematically select every 3rd party startup service and click on the Disable button at the bottom of the screen to exclude them from being started at the next system startup. Do this consistently until you’re left with no startup service that is allowed to run at the next startup.

   

6. If you get this far, you are ready to perform a clean boot. All that’s left to do now is restart your computer in order to take advantage of this state.
7. At the next startup, your computer will boot with just the essential services required by your operating system. Once the process is complete, attempt to do the app uninstallation/installation that was previously causing the 0xC0070652 error and see if this allows you to fix the issue.
8. Regardless of the outcome, reverse engineer the instructions above to ensure that your next computer startup is normal and 3rd party services, processes and startup items are permitted to run.