Member Avatar for blackbelt27

Ok it all started when i wanted to try AVG so i uninstalled Norton 360 and had a slight probem.. i dont remember the problem but norton was gone from my tray, desktop and program list no i was happy... i tried to install AVG free version... and i got the error

Local machine: installation failed
Installation:
Error: Action failed for registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: creating registry key....
Error 0x80070005

So i tried reinstalling norton and it says "Preparing for installation" for about 6 hours

So i quit

i googled the AVG error code (hoping that problem was the source of both)... and tried to write the key myself... but i couldnt open up the windows folder in the registy!!!
it said
Cannot open Windows. Error while opening key

So im stuck with no antivirus... all my stuff is backed up tho

Please.. someone help me

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by OlyComputers

Dani AI

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Short expert summary tied to the thread: this is a classic case of leftover antivirus components holding services/registry objects and blocking new installers. had the right diagnosis when Norton fragments were found. and were also correct that vendor removal tools and avoiding two realtime AV engines are the right starting points — but follow with permission repair and system-file checks before reattempting installation.

First actions (safe, repeatable)

  • Boot to Safe Mode (with networking) and run the vendor removal tool. For Norton, use the official Remove & Reinstall utility and pick the advanced/remove-only option, then reboot.
  • Use Sysinternals Autoruns to find and disable leftover startup entries (services, Run keys, scheduled tasks) so nothing auto-restarts and blocks installers.
  • Run Microsoft's Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter to let MS clean corrupted installer registry entries that commonly stop new installs. (support.norton.com)

If a registry key remains locked

  • Create a System Restore point and export the affected registry key first. Then run regedit as Administrator, right-click the key -> Permissions -> Advanced -> Change Owner -> select Administrators (or your admin account), check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”, then give Administrators Full Control. After permissions are fixed, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and then sfc /scannow to repair component and system files. Editing the registry can break Windows — back up and proceed carefully. (learn.microsoft.com)

Last-resort and troubleshooting tips

  • If an installer hangs on “Preparing…” kill the installer process (Task Manager) or use Process Explorer to find handles blocking files and services. Try a Clean Boot and repeat the removal/repair steps. If all else fails, restore from a known good backup or perform a clean OS install. Always keep a full backup and a restore point before invasive fixes. (learn.microsoft.com)

Links referenced above for convenience:

(Do these steps in order, make backups, and avoid repeating uninstall/install attempts while services or installers are still running.)

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Member Avatar for blackbelt27

ok norton tech soupport hepled

fragments of norton were still left over from the un install,,, enough to cause problems

Member Avatar for caperjack

ok norton tech soupport hepled

fragments of norton were still left over from the un install,,, enough to cause problems

for future reference ,all you had do do was shut norton down,remove it from startup,,and then install AVG to Try it ,you can have more than 1 antivirs on you computer ,just not more that one running at the same time !

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

Norton doesn't always uninstall cleanly, in fact it usually doesn't. Symantic is aware of this problem and offers the "Norton Removal Tool" (free of charge) to remove the remnants of their programs.

In a situation like this it's also a good idea to uninstall the antivirus you installed over it, using the windows "installer cleanup utility" to get rid of all traces and then install the software you want once the system is free of any conflicting or previous versions of software.

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