Q: My installation is stuck in “Pending file renames” and says it can’t complete because these operations require a reboot—but after reboot, I still get the same error. How can I fix this?

A: Pending filename renames is a common operation needed by many setups to replace files that are currently in use and can't be replaced until a reboot.

However, sometimes these operations get stuck and never complete. To fix, perform the following:
1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
3. Double-click PendingFileRenameOperations
4. Clear all the entries in the value and click OK

The pending operations have now been removed and the installation you are performing should complete.

To read more FAQs, go to John Savill's Windows IT Pro FAQs page.