How to fix error installing c++ x86 redistributable. Error code 1638?

By Alton AlexanderUpdated on June 4th, 2022

Error code 1638 is a Windows Installer error code that indicates that another version of the product is already installed. This can happen if you try to install a product that is already installed on your system, or if you try to install a product that is a lower version than the one already installed. In either case, you will need to uninstall the existing product before you can install the new one.

Contents:

1. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for assistance

If the installation media is the original install disk, follow these steps:

Turn off your computer and disconnect all peripherals.
Insert the original install disk into the computer.
Turn on your computer and wait for the startup menu to appear.
Click Repair or Recovery.
Click Command Prompt.
Type c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe and press Enter.
Type setup.exe /q:a and press Enter.
Type exit and press Enter.
Remove the original install disk from your computer.
Restart your computer. If the installation media is not the original install disk, follow these steps:
Contact your system administrator or the software vendor for assistance in order to fix error installing c++ x86 redistributable.

2. If you are installing the program on a server, make sure that you have the correct permissions to install programs

Locate the package for the c++ x86 redistributable that you want to install on your server.
Right-click on the package and select "Properties."
On the "Availability" tab, make sure that the "Installed on:" field lists the server on which the package will be installed.
Click on the "Legal Information" tab and make sure that the "Compatibility" field lists "Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2016" as the compatible operating system.
Click on the "File Size" tab and make sure that the "File Size" value is set to "Exact."
Click on the "Install" button to install the package on the server.

3. Temporarily disable any antivirus or security software on your computer and try installing the program again

Open the Start Menu and type "Control Panel" in the search box.
When the Control Panel appears, double-click the Antivirus and Security Program category.
On the Antivirus and Security Programs screen, select the program that you want to disable and click the Change/Remove button.
In the Antivirus and Security Programs dialog box, click the Remove button.
Close the Control Panel.
On the Start Menu, click Programs and then click the C++ x86 Redistributable program.
Click the Install button.
If the program is not installed correctly, the program will display an error message. Try installation again.

4. Try installing the program in a different location

First, open the command prompt and change to the directory where the c++ x86 redistributable files are located. For example, if the c++ x86 redistributable files are located in C:\Program Files (x86), type the following command: cd C:\Program Files (x86) Next, use the command line to try to install the c++ x86 redistributable. For example, to try to install the c++ x86 redistributable on Windows 8, type the following command: c++ redist If the c++ x86 redistributable installation fails, you may need to reformat your hard drive and install the c++ x86 redistributable from the Windows 8 installation media.

Still not working? maybe try one of these options:

Try using a different account to install the program.
Check to see if there is a newer version of the program available.
Make sure that your computer has enough free space to install the program.
Run the Windows System File Checker tool to scan for and repair corrupt system files.
Try installing the program in Compatibility Mode.
Reset the Windows Store cache.

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