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Can’t Install Anything on Windows 10: 7 Easy Expert fixes

The most comprehensive list of solutions to fix Can’t install anything on Windows 10

5 min. read

Updated onJuly 24, 2024

updated onJuly 24, 2024

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Resolve multiple Windows PC issues and speed up your PC effortlessly with specialized software.

We have all got a bunch of usefulprograms on the computer, surviving without which seems impossible. And every few days, more are added to the list. However, many users reported that they can’t install anything on a Windows 10 computer.

The problem is rather tricky because it, more or less, eliminates the use of third-party tools, though there are some that manage to bypass it and fix things. We have a recommendation shared later in the article.

Why can’t I install anything on my PC?

Here are the reasons why you can’t install anything on the computer in Windows 10:

Also, here are a few issues shared by users, and we have found the solutions that work in these cases as well:

How do I fix Windows 10 if it can’t install anything?

Let’s first try a few quick tricks and workarounds that worked for some users before heading to advanced troubleshooting.

If these don’t work, try the solutions listed next.

1. Terminate the Windows Installer process

Once done, check if you still can’t install anything on the Windows 10 computer or if the problem is fixed for good.

2. Disable Fast Startup

If you are logged in as administrator but can’t install software in Windows 10, it’s likely theFast Startupfeature to blame. Though meant to reduce the boot time in Windows,Fast Startuphas often been found to affect the functioning of the OS.

2.Click onSystem and Security.

Now, chooseChange what the power buttons dounderPower Options.

4.Click onChange settings that are currently unavailable.

5.Uncheck theTurn on fast startup (recommended)option, and click onSave changesat the bottom.

Once done, restart the computer to fixI can’t install anything on myWindows 10computer

3. Use Windows troubleshooter

This helps automatically repair issues likecorrupted registry keysthat may be responsible for the issue.

Simplydownload the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter, run it, and follow the on-screen instructions to fix things. Though it has worked for some users, there’s no certainty that it would work in every case.

A better alternative is to use acomprehensive repair toolthat scans and offers a thorough report of your PC. These tools also allow you to fix or replace the broken system file.

4. Run critical services

Many who can’t install anything on a Windows 10 computer were saved with this method. For some, it was theWindows Audioservice, while for many, it wasWindows Updatethat needed to be run. The latter was usually when userscouldn’t install apps from Microsoft Store.

5. Change UAC settings

6. Disable/uninstall conflicting apps

In some cases, it was third-party apps responsible for the issue. So, if you can’t install anything on a Windows 10 computer, locate the problematic app, and uninstall it. The option to disable it can usually be found inside the app settings.

One user reported Pi-hole to be the culprit here. Look for other similar apps as well.

7. Check security settings

These solutions have been confirmed by users and should get things up and running if, earlier, you couldn’t install anything on the Windows 10 computer.

While you are at it, also find out how todownload Microsoft Store apps without using the Store.

Let us know if you have any further issues or know of a solution not listed here using the comments section below.

Can’t Install Anything on Windows 10: 7 Easy Expert fixes#

Why can’t I install anything on my PC?#

How do I fix Windows 10 if it can’t install anything?#

1. Terminate the Windows Installer process#

2. Disable Fast Startup#

3. Use Windows troubleshooter#

4. Run critical services#

5. Change UAC settings#

6. Disable/uninstall conflicting apps#

7. Check security settings#