Error 1603: 7 Fixes to use if the Install has Failed

Installation errors are rare, and in most cases, the process goes through relatively smoothly. However, many users reported Error 1603 during installation. And it’s not just limited to a particular program but can be encountered in many.

The error message doesn’t reveal much about the underlying cause, but you could go through the error log to learn more about the situation. However, before you do, we have solutions that work in most cases and have helped several users fix Error 1603.

Why am I receiving error 1603?

Here are a few reasons why you may be getting Error 1603 in Windows:

• The program already exists on the PC: If the program you are trying to install is already on the PC, you may receive Error 1603, especially on MSI.
• Missing permissions: Often, the folder where the program is to be saved is missing access permissions, and the files can’t be installed.
• The target folder is encrypted: In some cases, users later realized that the folder where the program files were to be saved was encrypted, which triggered Error 1603.
• Security software blocking the installation: Your third-party antivirus or other similar security software may prevent the program’s installation. You need to disable or uninstall the software to fix this.

Where can I find error code 1603, and what does it look like?

The error message may differ depending on the situation and how it appears, depending on the application throwing it. For example, here are a few programs that are likely to throw Error 1603:

• Error 1603 Adobe: Several users installing Adobe applications reported the error, and it’s usually caused due to incorrect permissions.
• FortiClient Error 1603: The FortiClient installer, too, throws the error and rolls back any changes made.
• Error 1603 AMD: A common issue encountered by users trying to install AMD drivers.
• Error 1603 QuickBooks: The QuickBook Tools Hub usually comes to the rescue of users.
• Altiris Error 1603: Here, users receive the message, Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation, and our solutions would fix things.
• Error 1603 Revit: It’s a particularly tricky situation, and users had to go through a great deal of effort to get things working.

How do I fix error code 1603?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones for you to try:

• Verify if the program is already installed on the computer. Sometimes, the desktop launcher may not be available after an upgrade, so you must check the list of installed programs and confirm the same.
• Restart the computer.
• Launch the installer with administrative privileges. To do that, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator.
• Check for Windows updates and install the latest available version.

In case none of these works, try the solutions listed next.

1. Clear the contents of the temp folder

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type %temp% in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select all the files here and hit Delete.
3. Choose the appropriate response in case a confirmation prompt pops up.

This is the most straightforward fix if you encounter Error 1603 in Windows 10 while installing any application. Sometimes, the Temp folder may run full, and as a result, installers encounter an issue while executing critical processes, leading to the error.

2. Disable antivirus software

1. Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
   
2. Click the Manage settings option.
   
3. Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
   
4. Finally, if you have a third-party antivirus, right-click the icon on the taskbar and select the Disable option.

If you are facing Error 1603 on AutoCAD or AutoDesk, it might be due to interference from your antivirus. In this case, you must disable your third-party antivirus and Microsoft Defender.

You can also temporarily disable your firewall too. After installing the program, you can now enable your antivirus and firewall.

3. Clear storage space

1. Press the Windows key, type cleanmgr, and select Disk Cleanup.
   
2. Choose the drive you want to clear files on and click OK.
   
3. Now, select the files to clear and click the OK button.
   

One of the significant causes of Error 1603 on Java and other apps is insufficient storage space for the installation process. You can create space by deleting some files in File Explorer.

To make things easier, you can run Disk Cleanup or try other methods to free storage.

Read more about this topic

• How can I fix HP driver error 1603 on Windows 10/11 PCs?
• Fix Skype install errors 1603, 1618, and 1619 on Windows 10/11
• Installer encountered an error 0x800f0905
• Windows Installer Service could not be accessed
• Fix Fatal System error on Windows 10

4. Uninstall conflicting apps

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
   
2. Locate any application that controls the aspect related to the program you are trying to install, right-click it, and click on Uninstall.
   
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Conflicts triggered by third-party apps are a common reason behind Error 1603, and the best solution here is to uninstall the problematic app. For instance, Adobe reports that Google Desktop may affect the installation of its application.

Also, you could use a software uninstaller tool to remove any traces of the concerned app altogether.

One of the best tools available is CCleaner. It removes all junk files on your PC and all programs, including all associated files.

5. Run the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter

When faced with issues in Windows, the ideal course is to always look for a dedicated troubleshooter. And you have one, in this case, the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter, which is easily downloadable.

Once downloaded, run it, choose the appropriate responses, follow the on-screen instructions, and make the recommended changes to fix Error 1603 in Windows 10.

This troubleshooter can fix all the installation-related errors, including error codes 2502 & 2503 on Windows 11.

6. Reconfigure the Windows Installer service

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc, and click OK.
   
2. Locate the Windows Installer service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
   
3. Now, click on the Start button and then on OK to save the changes.
   
4. Again, press Windows + R, paste the following command, and hit Enter:msiexec /unregister
5. Similarly, execute the following command in Run:msiexec /regserver

After restarting the Windows Installer service, you can fix the FortiClient Error 1603.

7. Grant Full Control Permission to Installation Drive

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, right-click on the installation drive for the software (usually C:), and select Properties.
2. Navigate to the Security tab, and click the Edit button.
   
3. Select SYSTEM, tick the checkbox for Full Control, and click OK.
4. Now, click on Advanced.
   
5. Click the Change Permissions option.
6. Select SYSTEM from the list, and then click the Edit button.
7. Choose This folder, sub-folders, and files from the Applies to the drop-down menu, and click OK to save the changes.
   
8. Click OK on all opened windows as well.

That’s it! If the previous methods didn’t work, modifying the permissions certainty would have an Error 1603 fixed. You can now seamlessly install the application that earlier threw the error.

Also, find out what to do if you can’t install anything in Windows 10.

If you know of other possible solutions, drop them in the comments below.