Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling

Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling: Well, if you are getting error 2502/2503 internal error when trying to install a new program or uninstalling an existing program then you are at the right place as today we are going to discuss how to resolve this error. The error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program seems to be caused because of permissions issue with the Temp folder of Windows which can be usually found in C:\Windows\Temp.

Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program

These are the error you may encounter while installing or uninstalling a program:

Internal Error 2503

While the issue is not limited to this cause as sometimes virus or malware, incorrect registry, corrupt Windows Installer, incompatible 3rd party programs etc can also cause the error 2502/2503. So without wasting any time let’s see how to actually Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program in Windows 10 with the help of below-listed troubleshooting guide.

Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Pro Tip: Try to run the application by right-clicking and then select Run as Administrator.

Method 1: Re-register Windows Installer

1.Press Windows Key + R then type the following and hit Enter: msiexec /unreg

Unregister Windows Installer

2.Now again open the run dialog box and type msiexec /regserver and hit Enter.

Reregister Windows Installer Service

3.This would re-register the Windows Installer. Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 2: Run CCleaner and Malwarebytes

Perform a Full antivirus scan to make sure your computer is secure. In addition to this run CCleaner and Malwarebytes Anti-malware.

1.Download and install CCleaner & Malwarebytes.

2.Run Malwarebytes and let it scan your system for harmful files.

3.If malware is found it will automatically remove them.

4.Now run CCleaner and in the “Cleaner” section, under the Windows tab, we suggest checking the following selections to be cleaned:

ccleaner cleaner settings

5.Once you’ve made certain the proper points are checked, simply click Run Cleaner, and let CCleaner run its course.

6.To clean your system further select the Registry tab and ensure the following are checked:

registry cleaner

7.Select Scan for Issue and allow CCleaner to scan, then click Fix Selected Issues.

8.When CCleaner asks “Do you want backup changes to the registry?” select Yes.

9.Once your backup has completed, select Fix All Selected Issues.

10.Restart your PC to save changes and this should Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program.

Method 3: Run Installer with Admin rights using Command Prompt

1.Open File Explorer then click View > Options and make sure to check “Show hidden files, folders, and drivers.” Again in the same window uncheck “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).

show hidden files and operating system files

2.Click Apply followed by OK.

3.Press Windows Key + R then type the following and press Enter:

C:\Windows\Installer

4.Right click in an empty area and select View > Details.

Right click then select View and click on Details

5.Now right click on the column bar where Name, Type, Size etc is written and select More.

Right-click on the column and select More

6.From the list check mark subject and click OK.

From the list select Subject and click OK

7.Now find the correct program which you want to install from the list.

find the correct program which you want to install from the list

8.Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).

9.Now type the following and hit Enter:

C:\Windows\Installer\Program.msi

This would run the installer with administrative rights and you would not face the Error 2502

Note: Instead of the program.msi type the name of the .msi file causing the problem and if the file is located in Temp folder then you would type it’s path and press Enter.

10.This would run the installer with administrative rights and you would not face the Error 2502/2503.

11.Reboot your PC to save changes and this should Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program.

Method 4: Run Explorer.exe with administrative privileges

1.Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open Task Manager.

2.Find Explorer.exe then right-click on it and select End Task.

right click on Windows Explorer and select End Task

3.Now click on File > Run new task and type Explorer.exe.

click File then Run new task in Task Manager

4.Check mark Create this task with administrative privileges and click OK.

Type exlorer.exe then Check mark Create this task with administrative privileges

5.Again try to install/uninstall the program which was earlier giving the error 2502 and 2503.

Method 5: Set correct permissions for Windows Installer Folder

1.Open File Explorer then click View > Options and make sure to check “Show hidden files, folders, and drivers.” Again in the same window uncheck “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).

show hidden files and operating system files

2.Click Apply followed by OK.

3.Now navigate to the following path: C:\Windows

4.Look for Installer folder then right-click on it and select Properties.

5.Switch to Security tab and click Edit under Permissions.

Switch to Security tab and click Edit under Permissions

6.Next, make sure Full Control is checked for System and Administrators.

Make sure Full Control is checked for both System and Administrators

7.If not then select them one by one under group or user names then under permissions check mark Full Control.

8.Click Apply followed by OK.

9.Reboot your PC to save changes.

This should Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program but if you’re still stuck then follow the steps listed under method 6 for Windows Installer folder also.

Method 6: Set Correct Permissions for Temp Folder

1.Navigate to the following folder in File Explorer: C:\Windows\Temp

2.Right-click on Temp folder and select Properties.

3.Switch to Security tab and then click Advanced.

click Advanced options in security tab

4.Click Add button and the Permission Entry window will appear.

5.Now click “Select a principal” and type in your user account.

click select a principal in advanced security settings of packages

6.If you don’t know your user account name then click Advanced.

select user or a group advanced

7.In the new window that opens click Find now.

Click Find Now on the right-hand side and select the username then click OK

8.Select your user account from the list and then click OK.

9.Optionally, to change the owner of all sub folders and files inside the folder, select the check box “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” in the Advanced Security Settings window. Click OK to change the ownership.

Replace owner on subcontainers and objects

10.Now you need to provide full access to the file or folder for your account. Right-click the file or folder again, click Properties, click the Security tab and then click Advanced.

11.Click the Add button. The “Permission Entry” window will appear on the screen.

Add to change user control

12.Click “Select a principal” and select your account.

select a principle

13.Set permissions to “Full control” and Click OK.

Allow full control in permission for the selected principal

14.Repeat the above steps for the built-in Administrators group.

15.Reboot your PC to save changes.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling a program in Windows 10 but if you still have any questions regarding this post then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

7 thoughts on “Fix Error 2502 and 2503 while installing or uninstalling”

  1. These 2502 and 2503 errors are because a program needs to install using the temp folders and they do not have
    permission to do so. I have been doing IT for 35+ years and my son wanted to install Minecraft the Java Edition and didn’t want the Windows 10 version. After all, he paid for it.

    These next steps give permissions to the temp folder to fix not having those errors. “Game Over” computer! Hi Score, me, cyanohydrax.

    Press the Windows key on the keyboard and while holding that key down, press the letter “R”
    The Run command will display
    type cmd
    Hold the control key + the shift key and while holding both of those keys, use the mouse to click the OK button
    Answer Yes if you are prompted with a Yes/No question

    copy and paste these commands

    takeown /f “%systemroot%\Temp” /R /A /D Y
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /inheritance:r /grant:r Users:(OI)(CI)F /T
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /inheritance:r /grant:r Everyone:(OI)(CI)F /T
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /grant Administrators:F /T
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /grant Users:F /T
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /grant SYSTEM:F /T
    icacls “%systemroot%\Temp” /grant Everyone:F /T

    takeown /f “%temp%” /R /A /D Y
    icacls “%temp%” /inheritance:r /grant:r Users:(OI)(CI)F /T
    icacls “%temp%” /inheritance:r /grant:r Everyone:(OI)(CI)F /T
    icacls “%temp%” /grant Administrators:F /T
    icacls “%temp%” /grant Users:F /T
    icacls “%temp%” /grant SYSTEM:F /T
    icacls “%temp%” /grant Everyone:F /T

    Done. No reboot necessary.

    – cyanohydrax

  2. Thank you are so good. Im 14 and want to become programer or something like that. Do u have any tips. and how can i overclock my cpu to the max im on laptop.
    L340-15IRH Gaming Laptop (ideapad) – Type 81LK

  3. Thank you cyanohydrax, I couldn’t figure out how to install java edition and nothing was helping until I found this comment.

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