Resolution for SP 2010 installation issue

Last week I had mentioned that I am facing some issues with SP 2010 foundation installation and I keep getting prompted for server reboots. I was able to get through it and I alomost for got to share the resolution...

I would like to thank Bill Baer for neatly listing all the SP 2010 installation issues and how to overcome them, if you have faced any other issue other than the one I faced please refer Bill Baer's blog

I have an extract from the blog that helped me

Setup is unable to proceed due to the following error(s):


A system restart from a previous installation or update is pending. Restart your computer and run setup to continue.

For the list of pre-requisites needed to install the product please refer to:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=106209

Correct the issue(s) listed above and re-run setup.


Check the value of the following Registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\UpdateExeVolatile - if the value of the UpdateExeVolatile Registry key is anything other than 0 you will see this message.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations - if the PendingFileRenameOperations Registry key has any value you will see this message.

To remove an orphaned UpdateExeVolatile registry key value

Open a registry editor, such as Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe.

Navigate to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\

In the right navigation pane, double-click the UpdateExeVolatile key.

Configure the key with a value of 0

Close Registry Editor.

To delete the orphaned PendingFileRenameOperations registry key

Open a registry editor, such as Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe.

Navigate to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\

In the right navigation pane, right-click the PendingFileRenameOperations key and select Delete.

Close Registry Editor.