Written ByDavid HernandezSenior Technical Writer

Reviewed ByPatricia WalshFormer Intuit Technical Support Lead

QuickBooks Error 1712: Install Stopped by a Previous Installation

Clear Out the Old Install and Start Fresh

Error 1712 stops a QuickBooks Desktop install in its tracks. The message says one or more files required to restore your computer to its previous state couldn't be found. In plain English: Windows Installer is tripping over pieces of an earlier QuickBooks install that didn't finish or didn't uninstall cleanly.

Once those leftovers are cleared away, the new install usually goes through without a fuss.

"Error 1712: One or more of the files required to restore your computer to its previous state could not be found. Restoration will not be possible."

What's in This Guide:

▶ What Is QuickBooks Error 1712?

▶ Why Does Error 1712 Happen?

▶ How to Prevent Error 1712

▶ FAQs

Bookkeeper fixing QuickBooks Error 1712 during installation

What Is QuickBooks Error 1712?

Windows keeps a record of each program install so it can roll back if something goes wrong. Error 1712 appears when those records point to files that no longer exist, usually because:

A previous QuickBooks install was interrupted
QuickBooks was uninstalled by deleting folders instead of using Control Panel
An older version's leftovers are confusing the new installer
The installer download is damaged

Why Does Error 1712 Happen?

Interrupted previous install

A restart, crash or power cut during an earlier install leaves half-written records behind.

Incomplete uninstall

Deleting the QuickBooks folder manually leaves registry entries Windows still trusts.

Damaged installer

A partial download can't complete the install properly.

Temporary files and low disk space

A full temp folder or nearly full drive can break the installer's rollback records.

How to Fix QuickBooks Error 1712, Step by Step

FIX #1

Restart and Clear Temporary Files

Step 1 Restart your computer to finish any pending installs.

Step 2 Press Windows key + R, type %temp% and press Enter.

Step 3 Select everything in the folder and delete it. Skip any files Windows says are in use.

Step 4 Run the QuickBooks installer again.

FIX #2

Use the Clean Install Tool

Step 1 Uninstall any existing QuickBooks from Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Step 2 Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub and click Installation Issues > Clean Install Tool.

Step 3 Select your QuickBooks version and let the tool rename the leftover folders.

Step 4 Restart and install QuickBooks fresh.

FIX #3

Run Microsoft's Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter

Step 1 Download Microsoft's Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter from Microsoft's support site.

Step 2 Run it and choose Installing.

Step 3 Select QuickBooks from the list if it appears and let the troubleshooter remove the broken install records.

Step 4 Install QuickBooks again.

FIX #4

Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

Step 1 In the Tool Hub, go to Installation Issues > QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

Step 2 Let it repair Microsoft .NET, MSXML and Visual C++ components.

Step 3 Restart your computer and run the installer again.

FIX #5

Download a Fresh Installer and Install as Administrator

Step 1 Delete the old installer file.

Step 2 Download a new copy from the official link in your purchase email or our download guides.

Step 3 Right-click it and choose Run as administrator.

Step 4 If it still fails, create a new Windows administrator account, log in as that user and install from there.

How to Prevent Error 1712

Always uninstall QuickBooks through Control Panel, never by deleting folders
Don't restart or shut down during an install
Keep enough free disk space for installs and updates
Clear your temp folder occasionally

Frequently Asked Questions About Error 1712

Will Error 1712 delete my company file?

No. Your company file is separate from the program. Error 1712 only affects installing QuickBooks. Still, keep a backup of your company file before reinstalling.

Do I need to uninstall my old QuickBooks version?

Not necessarily. Different QuickBooks years can be installed side by side. But if an old install is damaged, removing it cleanly often fixes Error 1712.

What's the Clean Install Tool?

It's a free tool in the QuickBooks Tool Hub that renames leftover QuickBooks folders so a fresh install can start clean.

Still Can't Install QuickBooks? Talk to Us.

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