"The specified account already exists" error

[sunset_station]

Hi! I came across an issue when I tried to uninstall PowerArch 2013. I got an error “The specified account already exists” which broke the process. I got the same error when I tried to install the current version, without uninstalling the previous one.
So I can’t uninstall and I can’t install PowerArchiver. Any suggestions? OS Windows 8.1 x64.

Dariusz

[spwolf]

Can you send us a screenshot? i dont think I ever saw such error so picture would probably explain a lot better what is actually happening. Thanks!

[sunset_station]

@spwolf:

Can you send us a screenshot? i dont think I ever saw such error so picture would probably explain a lot better what is actually happening. Thanks!

Hello @spwolf! Here are screenshots:

• while trying to install the new version
  1, 2
• while trying to uninstall the old version (14.02.05)
  3

I tried Google, but search results sounded like black magic to me, I couldn’t see any connection with the installation of PA or any other software.

[spwolf]

Hello,

it seems to be some active directory issue… I located some old MS KB article about it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498

Is the account logged in to domain using AD?

[sunset_station]

I think, you gave me some clue… my computer at work is in a domain (company domain) and my MS Account is connected on it as well. All settings are synchronized between work and home PCs with OneDrive. Could it have something to do? Windows 8.1 x64 is on both computers, but on my home PC I’m logged in with my MS Account only. Maybe I can try to disconnect MS Account at work, or there is a different solution?
Thank you!!

[KoloheWiz]

The latest release - PA 2016 - will not complete installation. No matter what it ends with the “The specified account already exists” error. I start the update process using the Check For Update button under Configuration>Auto Update. The new version downloads and begins to install but stops abruptly with the “The specified account already exists” error.

I have a screenshot and the log file but no way to post them here. I have no URL to post the image to because I do not own any domains. IMHO, that should NOT be the only way to add an image or log file to a forum post as there are more people without a domain than ones that do. For that matter, “Insert Image” doesn’t mean the same as “Insert Image Link” which is what the button should read for accuracy purposes.

[spwolf]

@KoloheWiz:

The latest release - PA 2016 - will not complete installation. No matter what it ends with the “The specified account already exists” error. I start the update process using the Check For Update button under Configuration>Auto Update. The new version downloads and begins to install but stops abruptly with the “The specified account already exists” error.

I have a screenshot and the log file but no way to post them here. I have no URL to post the image to because I do not own any domains. IMHO, that should NOT be the only way to add an image or log file to a forum post as there are more people without a domain than ones that do. For that matter, “Insert Image” doesn’t mean the same as “Insert Image Link” which is what the button should read for accuracy purposes.

This usually means something is wrong with your Windows Installer, usually setup repository got wiped out.

Try cleaning PowerArchiver entry from Windows Installer database by using MSI Clean Up tool:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_installer_cleanup_utility.html

That should delete PowerArchiver previous version from registry and then you should be able to install new one.

As to the images - in the future, you can use imgur.com to post links to image files, They are very reliable and great image host.

thanks!

[Stowik]

@spwolf:

This usually means something is wrong with your Windows Installer, usually setup so did you look at this Crazy Bulk review repository got wiped out.

Try cleaning PowerArchiver entry from Windows Installer database by using MSI Clean Up tool:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_installer_cleanup_utility.html

That should delete PowerArchiver previous version from registry and then you should be able to install new one.

As to the images - in the future, you can use imgur.com to post links to image files, They are very reliable and great image host.

thanks!

Awesome spwolf, was having the same problem but after using windows installer cleanup and deleting Power Archiver I’ve been able to reinstall and it works great.

[KoloheWiz]

The problem has come back or was never fixed. I cannot uninstall PA 2015 due to the same “The specified account already exists” which stops the uninstall process. Here’s the screenshot: . Since PA2015 can’t be uninstalled, it creates other issues with PA2016 such as windows explorer crashes when right-clicking. FYI - using the MSI cleaner tool didn’t help the problem.

[Adeline22]

@Stowik said in "The specified account already exists" error:

@spwolf:

This usually means something is wrong with your Windows Installer, usually setup so did you review of Phenq repository got wiped out.

Try cleaning PowerArchiver entry from Windows Installer database by using MSI Clean Up tool:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_installer_cleanup_utility.html

That should delete PowerArchiver previous version from registry and then you should be able to install new one.

As to the images - in the future, you can use imgur.com to post links to image files, They are very reliable and great image host.

thanks!

Awesome spwolf, was having the same problem but after using windows installer cleanup and deleting Power Archiver I’ve been able to reinstall and it works great.

It works fine for me although i had to reinstall it, as it was getting freeze after 15 mins, but it works fine now,

[BennyONeill]

when upgrading the Endpoint Application Control ?

[DonaldDenson]

@bunset_stack

A quick way of resolving ‘The specified account already exists’ is to use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. Just click or touch the blue Download button on the page. Microsoft support, fix problems that block programs from being installed. Click ‘Download’

[JoelTucker]

@sunset_station said in "The specified account already exists" error:

Hi! I came across an issue when I tried to uninstall PowerArch 2013. I got an error “The specified account already exists” which broke the process. I got the same error when I tried to install the current version, without uninstalling the previous one.
So I can’t uninstall and I can’t install PowerArchiver. Any suggestions? OS Windows 8.1 x64.

Dariusz

Is the account logged in to domain using AD?

[DelbertHou]

@kolohewiza said in "The specified account already exists" error:

The problem has come back or was never fixed. I cannot uninstall PA 2015 due to the same “The specified account already exists” which stops the uninstall process. Here’s the screenshot: . Since PA2015 can’t be uninstalled, it creates other issues with PA2016 such as windows explorer crashes when right-clicking. FYI - using the MSI cleaner tool didn’t help the problem.

The solution was to download the Microsoft install cleaner which you can do HERE. This tool will work on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. Remember that you MUST run this as an Administrator.