Error Message: The Installation/Removal of a Previous Program Was Not Completed

Question

I have used ASAP Utilities for years but when I installed the new version today I received the following error message: "The Installation/Removal of a Previous Program Was Not Completed".

Answer

Microsoft has written on their website how to solve it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310335

In the past 10 years we have only seen this error once, so it appears to be a rare problem. But we thought it might still be important to mention here in the FAQ.

Microsoft's solution

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

Symptoms

When you are installing a program that uses the InstallShield Wizard, you may receive an error message similar to one of the following:
The installation/removal of a previous program was not completed. Setup must restart your computer before proceeding with Installation. After windows has been restarted, please run setup again to complete installation.
-or-
A previous program installation was never completed. You need to restart your computer to complete that installation before running Internet Explorer Setup. Setup will now close.
If you restart the computer as suggested and then try to install the program again, you receive the same error message.

Cause

This behavior can occur if there are pending file rename or delete operations.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, remove the "PendingFileRenameOperations" value from the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
To do this, follow these steps:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type Regedit, and then click OK.
3. In Registry Editor, expand the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
4. On the File menu, click Export.
   NOTE: In Windows 2000, click Export Registry File on the Registry menu.
5. In the File name box, type Session Manager Key, and then click Save.
6. In the right pane of the Registry Editor window, right-click PendingFileRenameOperations and then on the shortcut menu that appears, click Delete.
7. On the Confirm Value Delete message that appears, click Yes.
8. On the File menu, click Exit.
9. NOTE: In Windows 2000, click Exit on the Registry menu.
10. Restart the computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310335