1602
App Installer (MSI)
User Cancelled Installation
Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11
What it means
The installer detected what it interpreted as a cancel action, sometimes triggered incorrectly by antivirus software or a UAC prompt timeout.
Also seen as: error 1602
Quick fix steps
- Retry the installation, responding promptly to any UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus, which can be misread as a cancel by some installers.
- Run the installer as administrator.
For the full step-by-step walkthrough, see An App Won't Open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does canceling an installation cause lasting problems?
Generally no — most installers handle a cancellation cleanly, though occasionally leftover partial files can cause issues on a later install attempt, which a clean reinstall usually resolves.
Is this the same as the user clicking Cancel intentionally?
It can be, but it can also appear if the installation was interrupted unintentionally (a system restart, a crash) rather than a deliberate cancel click.
Other error codes
1603 — Fatal Error During Installation
A generic installer failure code — the real cause is almost always in the detailed install log, but common triggers are permissions, a locked file, or insufficient disk space.
1618 — Another Installation Is Already in Progress
Windows Installer thinks another install is running, even if nothing visibly is — usually a stuck installer process from a previous attempt.
1601 — The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed
The Windows Installer service itself isn't running or responding.
1602 — User Cancelled Installation
The installer detected what it interpreted as a cancel action, sometimes triggered incorrectly by antivirus software or a UAC prompt timeout.