Fix: 1628 Failed to Complete Installation

Installation of new applications, tools or games should be a simple procedure. Also, if you do not want to use some applications, tools or games anymore, you will be able to uninstall applications, tools or games by using Programs and Features tool. Sometimes, the simple actions can be complicated, because there are some problems in the background, including system and application issues. One of the problems you can see during installation or uninstallation of some application, tools or games is InstallShield error 1658: Failed to complete installation.

This issue occurs on operating systems from Windows XP to Windows 10, including 32-bit and 64-bit operating system architecture. The problem occurs when you are trying to install or uninstall some applications, tools or games. There are different reasons why this error occurs, including system or application issues, file corruption, antivirus problems and other. Please note this issue is not related to specific application, tools or games, it can be a symptom of every installation or uninstallation procedure.

We created 10 methods which will guide you how to solve the issue with your Windows machine. At the end, you will be able to install or uninstall the application, tool or game.

Method 1: Run as Administrator

There are two different types of user accounts, Administrator, and Standard user account. The Administrator has a full privilege on the system, while Standard user account has limited permissions. Sometimes, when you try to install some software by using the Standard user account, you will not be able because of lacking permissions. Based on that, you will need to run your application, tools or game by using Administrator privilege. Regardless which application you are trying to install, the procedure for running software as Administrator is the same. Please read information how to run the application as Administrator.

Method 2: Change Compatibility mode

If you are trying to install an application which is not 100% compatible with the operating system you are using, we are recommending you to change Compatibility mode. For example, imagine you are using Windows 10, and you want to install an application which is compatible with Windows 7, but not with Windows 10. In that case, on Windows 10 you will need to configure Windows 7 Compatibility mode for that application. Regardless which application you are trying to install, the procedure for configuring Compatibility mode is the same for all applications. Please read information how to change a compatibility mode, by following solution 1.

Method 3: Troubleshoot compatibility issues

Troubleshooting utility will try to fix the issue by providing you best solution for your problem. This method is related to installation problems, not uninstallation. If you have a problem only with uninstalling some application, tool or game, please read next method. We will show you how to run Troubleshooting utility for application VLC Player on Windows 10.

1. Right click on the setup In our example, it is VLC Player
2. Choose Troubleshoot compatibility
3. Wait until Windows is finished troubleshooting problems
4. Install and enjoy application on Windows machine

Method 4: Rename the InstallShield folder

In this method, you will need to rename folder named InstallShield which is located under Program Files. We will show you how to do it on Windows 10.

1. Hold Windows logo and press E to open Windows Explorer or File Explorer
2. On the right side of windows click My Computer or This PC
3. Navigate to the following location C:\Program Files\Common Files
4. Right click on InstallShield folder and click Rename
5. Change folder name, for example, change from InstallShield to InstallShieldOLD and press Enter
6. Install and enjoy application on Windows machine

Method 5: Start Windows in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is one of the troubleshooting methods which can help you in troubleshooting of problems. Safe Mode provides booting Windows with basic functions, with core drivers and services. It means, your antivirus or some other software will not run if you boot your Windows in Safe Mode. After you start Windows in Safe Mode you will need to run installation or try to uninstall application which can not be uninstalled. Please read instructions how to start Windows 8 and 10 in Safe Mode. If you are using Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 you can read how to start Windows in Safe Mode, too.

Method 6: Disable your antivirus

In this method, you will need to disable your antivirus. There are different ways how to disable antivirus, by using Service tools or through antivirus interface. We will show you how to disable antivirus through antivirus interface. This method is compatible with all antiviruses, except antiviruses which are controlled by administration console. We will show you how to disable Avira Antivir on Windows 10. After you disable antivirus, you will need to run installation or uninstall the application, tool or game.

1. Navigate the Avira antivirus on the right side of Taskbar
2. Right click on Avira Antivirus and click Enable Real-Time Protection. By this action, you will disable real-time protection.
3. Click Yes to confirm disabling Real-Time Protection
4. Install application or uninstall the application, tool or game.
5. Right click on Avira Antivirus and click Enable Real-Time Protection. By this action, you will enable real-time protection.
6. Click Yes to confirm enabling Real-Time Protection
7. Enjoy application on Windows machine

Method 7: Overwrite system items through Command Prompt

For this method, you will need to run Command Prompt as Administrator because Standard user account is not allowed to do system changes. Few users solved the problem on their Windows XP machines by overwriting system items. We will show you how to do it on Windows XP SP3.

1. Hold Windows logo and press R
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt
3. Type secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose and press Enter
4. Close Command Prompt
5. Restart your Windows machine
6. Install or uninstall application

 Method 8: Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package

Few users were not able to install SAP application. The best solution of their problem was repairing of  Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package. Based on that we are recommending you to repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package, regardless which version you are using. In our example, we will repair Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package on Windows 10.

1. Hold Windows logo and press R
2. Type cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features
3. Navigate to Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package (x86)
4. Right click on Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package (x86) and choose Change
5. Click Repair
6. Wait until Windows is finished repairing Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package
7. Restart your Windows machine
8. Install or uninstall application, tool or game

Method 9: Run SFC /SCANNOW

We talked so many times about checking corrupted files on your hard disk. There are a lot of tools which can help you to solve the issue with corrupted files. One of the tools is Command Prompt and utility named SFC /Scannow. You should try to run SFC /scannow and fix corrupted files. Please read how to run SFC /SCANNOW. This method is compatible with operating systems from Windows XP to Windows 10.

 Method 10: Reinstall Windows

After you tried all of these methods and no one solved your issue, we are recommending you to reinstall your operating system. Before you tried to reinstall your Windows, please check is application or game you are trying to install compatible with your operating system. How will you do it? You will need to check technical information on vendor’s website. For example, if you are trying to install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, you will need to open official Adobe website and check system requirements. If the application is compatible with the operating system, go ahead and install it. But, if the application is not compatible with your operating system, we are recommending you to download a newer version of the application you want to use.