How To Fix Internet Explorer Did Not Finish Installing Error

Martin Brinkmann
Mar 15, 2011
Updated • Mar 15, 2011
Internet Explorer
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Microsoft has released the final version of Internet Explorer 9 yesterday, and most interested users won't have any problems installing the web browser, or updating their previous Internet Explorer version. Some users on the other hand may receive error messages such as Internet Explorer did not finish installing when they run the Internet Explorer 9 setup file.

The core reason for this error message is that a beta, preview build or release candidate build of Internet Explorer 9 is installed on the system, which prevents the installation of the final version.

internet explorer did not finish installing

Internet Explorer Did Not Finish Installing
Setup can' continue because a more recent version of Internet Explorer is installed on your computer.

The error message does not appear if Internet Explorer 8 or IE7 are installed on the system. In this case, an upgrade is possible without problems. Users who receive the error message should look under Uninstall a Program in the control Panel to see if an earlier build of Internet Explorer is listed there. You need to make sure to look both in the third party software listing and in Installed Updates. On my test system, Internet Explorer preview builds were installed under the third party listing while the release candidate was installed under Installed Updates.

A restart of Windows is required before the uninstallation of Internet Explorer completes. Check out How To Uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 9 for additional uninstallation information and troubleshooting.

uninstall internet explorer

Some users may still run into troubles, especially if the uninstallation could not complete successfully. This was the case on a Windows 7 Professional 64-bit test system which displayed error messages when the uninstallation continued after a system restart.

The very same error message (did not finish installing) appeared again when I tried to run the Internet Explorer 9 setup, regardless whether I tried to install the 32-bit or 64-bit edition of Microsoft's web browser, or the offline setup files.

I found a Microsoft Knowledge Base entry that suggested to run the setup with administrative privileges. A right-click on IE9-Windows7-x64-enu.exe and the selection of Run as Administrator was all that was needed to resolve the error. The Internet Explorer 9 setup showed no further error messages and I was able to install the browser after all.

internet explorer 9

The Knowledge Base troubleshooting guide has additional tips if this one does not resolve the issue on your computer.

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Comments

  1. cephas zulu said on October 16, 2019 at 9:56 am
    Reply

    my Internet explorer is not working.how do I reinstall it? I’m using windows 7.

  2. FUCK_MS said on December 7, 2016 at 7:41 pm
    Reply

    Micro CRAP{ Fucking garbage fuckers. FUCK MS and all the little fags working there. Fuck Billy Goat Fucking Gater.

    FUCK FUCK FUCK Microsoft worst fucking company to ever existed Burn you mother fuckers burn and die mother fuckers.

  3. Sanky said on February 25, 2015 at 1:18 pm
    Reply

    I want to install the Internet Explorer 11 on my laptop. I downloaded the installation files from the microsoft website. But when I try to install it says, “..,more recent version of IE is installed on your computer”. If installed it should show up in the programs but it does not show up. Though it does not show up in the programs there is a file with the name Inter Explorer in C drive Program Files.

  4. robroy said on November 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm
    Reply

    Great post!

  5. Mohit Grover said on March 21, 2013 at 5:42 am
    Reply

    Go to RUN
    appwiz.cpl
    Turn Windows Features on or off (Yes) (Left Pane)
    If IE 7,8,9 browser option is already checked, then uncheck it & click OK (if not already checked then check it & click OK)
    After that restart your Machine.

    When It come up again you’ve to follow the same procedure
    follow the same procedure as mentioned above
    Go to RUN
    appwiz.cpl
    Turn Windows Features on or off (Yes) (Left Pane)
    Select 3rd option from TOP (that is IE X) (X=version)
    If previously you’ve unchecked it, then now it’s time to check it again, else vice versa.
    Restart your machine

    Now, This problem should be resolved.

  6. Anonymous said on December 10, 2012 at 10:40 pm
    Reply

    do you want me to have ie9 or not ? if you do and your livelyhood depends people installing it then you install it. i’ve tried and can’t. you have my permission have at it.

  7. joseph said on December 8, 2012 at 6:05 am
    Reply

    Thanks for this post, i will try that.

    1. joseph said on December 19, 2012 at 11:20 am
      Reply

      I did all these steps but does not work for me, however finally i got the solution for that and i got rid of this problem.and now i would like share this to all.
      please open this below solution i hope that would be work for you. because it has worked for me.
      Solved
      http://www.techsupportall.com/how-do-i-fix-internet-explorer-did-not-finish-installing/

      Many thanks to http://www.Techsupportall.com

  8. Nick said on November 5, 2012 at 4:45 pm
    Reply

    You have to download the full install package from here http://www.windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages
    not the version that downloads IE9 onto your computer. Then when you have that install it in safe mode. Works.

  9. Humphry said on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 pm
    Reply

    Fuck microbsoft and it’s internet explorer :-D

    I tried everyway to update to IE 9 but I had no result.

  10. Anonymous said on July 16, 2012 at 2:39 pm
    Reply

    tried all given solutions….

  11. Anonymous said on July 16, 2012 at 2:37 pm
    Reply

    I have win7-64 bit os and getting same error while installing ie9…

  12. Patty said on March 28, 2012 at 5:17 am
    Reply

    Why am I unable to get feed reloads on Internet Explorer 9 or firefox 11 from wayn.com?

  13. Mr. Java BVMC-SJX33GT said on January 17, 2012 at 2:22 pm
    Reply

    Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly loved surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!

  14. Janice said on October 29, 2011 at 5:55 am
    Reply

    I gave up on installing Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7. I do not have time to spare finding out why it keeps saying it can’t install version 9 when I already have a version installed on my system, and I do not. I ended up installing Mozilla Firefox and I love it. Microsoft could learn a few things from them.

  15. John said on July 29, 2011 at 5:55 pm
    Reply

    Many friends are worry about explore error now here is solution of this problem is
    http://www.techyv.com/questions/while-performing-update-internet-explorer-i-get-%E2%80%9Cerror-code-0x8024000b%E2%80%9D

  16. Ko said on July 21, 2011 at 7:11 am
    Reply

    I have windows vista and IE 9 just will not install, any ideas?

  17. Andy McH said on May 2, 2011 at 6:27 pm
    Reply

    I have been trawling the web for days now trying to resolve this problem and getting nowhere. I want to do a clean reinstall of IE9 or at least be able to roll back to IE8 as every time I launch IE9 it crashes – no explanation for that issue so I figured at least I can go back to IE8. Not possible, every time I go via the Windows Update to uninstall IE9 and then reboot it reports an that it is unable to finish the update and no changes have been made so I am stuck with an IE9 that will not function. I have downloaded the IE9 installation package but it will not run as it says there is a previous version of IE installed – I know, that is the problem and I cannot get rid of it. It must look somewhere for a flag saying that IE9 is installed. How can I get round this? I have W7 Ultimate 64 bit. I use Live essentials as anti virus software and have nothing out of the ordinary installed. I can use Chrome or Safari without any problem

    1. pierre said on May 24, 2011 at 4:35 am
      Reply

      Try this Andy: Start -> Control Panel (view by small icons top right) -> Internet Options -> Advanced -> ‘Restore Advanced Settings’ -> ‘Apply’ -> ‘Reset’ -> ok and reboot. See if you can open I.E. from ‘All Programs’ listing

  18. Pandora Australia said on April 19, 2011 at 9:21 am
    Reply

    hen scrolling a window in Youtube the vid

  19. Peter said on March 16, 2011 at 1:31 am
    Reply

    Just found a translation error on IE9 in spanish (32Bit, Win7), the problem is that the download manager says “a las XX,X KB/s” instead of “a XX,X KB/s” so it’s like saying “at the XX,X KB/s”, it’s frustrating to see an error in such an important and obvious place.

    Also when scrolling a window in Youtube the video I’m watching freezes (just the video).

  20. Varun said on March 15, 2011 at 3:49 pm
    Reply

    How long does it take to install?

    For me its seems to be stuck at around 10% in both cases, with IE9 preview/beta builds installed and later when installed with reboot.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on March 15, 2011 at 4:02 pm
      Reply

      Installation took less than a minute on my system.

      1. Varun said on March 15, 2011 at 4:31 pm
        Reply

        I don’t know what was happening on mine though.

        After removing IE9 builds,
        then updated IE8 with certain cumulative updates, disabling MSE and stuff, after that i got “close program” option and it moved faster.

        Installation process ought to be simple, not a pain in the ass,
        Everyone is not tech-savvy, MS still doesn’t learn.

  21. Aravind said on March 15, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    Reply

    Hi Martin,
    I installed IE9 without any glitches.
    I would like to know if there is an offline installer for IE9 available. Many of my friends who don’t have a regular internet connection will like to have it.
    Regards

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on March 15, 2011 at 3:08 pm
      Reply

      Aravind, this page lists the offline installers for all operating systems and languages: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages

  22. Andrew said on March 15, 2011 at 2:50 pm
    Reply

    The same error showed up on my computer but for a different reason. I usually tweak my system which includes disabling services. IE9 did not install until I enabled and started the Windows Installer, Windows Modules Installer, and Windows Updates services. It installed quickly and restarted the system, after which I disabled the services again. Now I am typing this in IE9 and enjoying it!

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on March 15, 2011 at 3:07 pm
      Reply

      Great tip, thanks for posting Andrew.

      1. Anonymous said on June 1, 2015 at 1:24 pm
        Reply

        i cannot install ie11 pl help did not help to fix my problem

  23. ilev said on March 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm
    Reply

    “most interested users won’t have any problems installing the web browser, or updating their previous Internet Explorer version”

    Most interested users can’t install IE9 at all as it runs only on Win7 (vista is no more)

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