Error 2503 and 2502 when installing/uninstalling on Windows 8

Problem

When you attempt to install or uninstall a program on Windows 8, you may get the following errors:

Error 2503 Error 2502

2503 RunScript Error 2502 Finalize Error

  • The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2503.
  • The installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package. This may indicate a problem with this package. The error code is 2502.
  • Called RunScript when not marked in progress
  • Called InstallFinalize when no install in progress.

This has been tested with Microsoft Games for Windows Live (GFWL) and XSplit Broadcaster but should work  with other installers/uninstallers that have the same problem.

Solution 1 (uninstalling)

In order to uninstall a program with this issue, you need to identify the .msi file that it uses.

  1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog.
  2. Type in C:\Windows\Installer and press Enter.
    Run dialog
  3. Right click in a blank space and click View -> Details.
    Change view to Details
  4. In the Details view, there are columns. Right click anywhere on the column bar and click More…
    More
  5. In the list, find Subject. Check it and click OK.
    Add Subject
  6. Click the Subject column to sort the program names in alphabetical order. You should be able to identify which file is the correct one.
    Identify the MSI
  7. Open a Command Prompt as administrator.
  8. Type in C:\Windows\Installer\ followed by the file name of the program you want to uninstall and “.msi”.
    In our example, the file is 54c55 so we would type in: C:\Windows\Installer\54c55.msi
    cmd
  9. The uninstaller will now run and should complete successfully. You can close the Command Prompt when you are done.

Solution 2 (installing and uninstalling)

1. Hold Ctrl+Shift and press Esc.

2. Locate “Windows Explorer” under “Windows processes”, now right click on it and click “End task”.

Close explorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Now click on “File” at the top of the window and click “Run new task”.

4. Type “explorer.exe” without the quotes and tick the box labelled “Create this task with administrative privileges” and click “OK”.

run explorer as admin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should now be able to install/uninstall without getting the error.

92 comments

  1. hai,
    Above mentioned step done after that uninstall not working.
    Ist time 2503 error after process the step given it is ok,
    2nd time 2502 error cant avble to uninstall the exe

    Reply

    1. Hi, saravanan. I read your comment. Same happened with me. Please make sure that you have opened the Command Prompt with run as administrator. Only then you will be able do it.
      Thanks!!!

      Reply

  2. Thats a good idea with the subject column, I didn’t know about this and it just helped me with a 2503 error while uninstalling something.

    Reply

  5. Finally found the solution to this error. I was working around the problem by doing the “Run as Administrator” manually when trying to install programs. Trying to choose allow UAC prompt and trying with UAC turned off, it would still error.

    The problem also showed itself with programs installed in non-trusted areas as well (clicking magnet links in a browser with utorrent as the registered client). It’s Windows 8 elevated UAC settings under:
    gpedit.msc
    Computer/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options/User Account Control:
    For me it was “Only elevate USAccess applications that are installed in secure locations” that was causing problems. Disabled that and it would work.

    Reply

    1. Solution 2 is a lifesaver. Works great on Windows 8.1.

      David Troesch’s gpedit solution is also good.

      Wish I understood what is generating these errors.

      Reply

  6. This did not work for me. That machine still throws those error codes. What is the reason behind this error in the first place?

    Reply

      1. Solution 2 calls for ending and then restarting Windows Explorer — which doesn’t exist in Win8. Do you have another workaround? Thanks!

        Reply

  10. I’ve tried option 2, but it didn;t work for me. I am trying to install Akamai which works as installer for another software I bought, but I an having problems to load Akamai itself – it throws both 2503 and 2502 codes. Please help!

    Reply

    1. Hello geni7777,

      As you are trying to install software from such a large IT based company(Akamai) you would be better off contacting them directly.
      Email them at this address: ccare@akamai.com
      Be sure to detail the issue in the email for the Akamai technician’s.
      Hope this helps.

      Regards
      Russell

      Reply

    2. Hello, just was checking to find some solution I had exactly that problem. what helped me was moving installation file from the system drive ( Mostly it’s C: ) to another partition and trying to install from there. That worked for me. Good luck

      Reply

  11. I figured… After doing a lot of different tricks, all I did is went to .exe file in the folder (which would not start and gave me those errors) and right click gave me option to “run as administrator”. I think indeed, the problem is with permissions setting on Windows 8… Thanks everyone and good-luck.

    Reply

  14. I finally got the solution…for installing and uninstalling……

    thank you so much……….

    Reply

  22. If you have error 2503 and 2502 because you cannot run software as admin, just run “Command Prompt” as Administrator and install program from it… Worked for me…

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much! I tried every method there is, and running the msi-file in the command prompt was the only thing that worked. You saved my day!

      Reply

  24. Carl and Russel thanks a lot! That is a great article and it helped me to solve a very annoying problem. I totally understand Microsoft’s efforts to improve security in its operating systems but sometimes they sacrifice “ease of use” quality attribute. If you provide a feature to “Run as administrator” an installation then you should definitely provide a “Run as administrator” feature for uninstalling too.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your advice regarding the cmd prompt. Finally installed Python on W10. Great tip.

      Reply

  27. Life Saver Thanks man. i must have corrupted the install for SDM for it to do this but thanks.. and i recommend using the date instead of subject.

    Reply

  30. These do not work for me – ESPECIALLY the install instructions that call for ending the task WINDOWS EXPLORER… because Win 8 doesn’t USE Windows Explorer. Would somebody please update this how-to with current information? Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Bill, Windows 8 and 8.1 both still use Windows Explorer. you may need to look under the details tab in Task Manager or click the “View All Process” or “View process from all users” button in Task Manager.
      Hope This helps

      Reply

  33. Waooooooooooooo
    Very Good
    Thank You So Much
    Very Good way to Uninstall Skype Error 2503
    So nice of you

    Reply

  40. Great!!! Really happy with this, I finally finish with this problem. Second choice the best 🙂

    Reply

  46. woooooooooooooow
    did it like two times
    and worked perfectly
    thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanX so much
    and good luck for others

    Reply

  48. Oh thank you so much…after much searching, came across this fix. Solution 2 worked great and perfect instructions!

    Reply

  56. thanx carl. the workaround did it for me. i was trying to install qttabbar.msi.

    but there’s one more thing to be done as explained by silversword411 in the post of March 17, 2014 8:36:53 AM at w_w_w[dot]tomshardware[dot]com[slash]forum[slash]1145-73-internal-error-2503-2502.

    and this method works only inside a logged Administrator account and not inside an elevated one inside a user.

    Reply

  57. Hi,

    Thanks for this tutorial it helped me uninstall iTunes without these errors 2503 and 2502.

    Very clear and idiot-proof tutorial btw.

    *** in french : “subject” is “Objet” ***
    *** en Français : “subject” c’est “Objet” ***

    Thanks again,
    Jean-Masturbin

    Reply

  59. I just follow the instruction from geni7777 and it works perfecto. Just went to .exe file, right click, choice/select ”run as administrator” Finished story problem solve.

    Thanks to geni7777
    I figured… After doing a lot of different tricks, all I did is went to .exe file in the folder (which would not start and gave me those errors) and right click gave me option to “run as administrator”. I think indeed, the problem is with permissions setting on Windows 8… Thanks everyone and good-luck.

    Reply

  68. Thanks Bro…. It worked fantastically. Since the first method is long, I tried second method (As it’s shortcut than first) and it worked in very first attempt.

    Reply

  74. Option 1 didn’t work

    OPTION 2 DID!! **

    Possible clues to track down the cause:

    – I use Revo Uninstaller to install apps (I think it internally installs as Admin)

    – Eventually I use “junction” command to move big folders out of the C: partition, usually for folders like “Windows\installer” that wastes lots of space (in the high speed zone of the hard disk! It’s like using a Ferrari for carrying potatoes) and not require access speed (perhaps for installing/uninstalling, I’ll pay happily)

    May be joining details from all affected users we could nail it down.

    Reply

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