[Bug]: update of WAU fails because MSI detects older version which is already removed

[wepecko]

The problem

When I try update or install WAU on device where it was previously deployed via GPO, installer fails with following - older version of WAU cannot be removed.
I manually checked the default folders and registry keys but the previous version is definitely gone and locations are clean. Can you advise what places should checked and updated so the manual installation of newer version is allowed?

What version of WAU has the issue?

2.7.0

What version of Windows are you using (ex. Windows 11 22H2)?

W11 24H2

What version of winget are you using?

up to date

Log information

=== Logging started: 26/08/2025  10:27:52 ===
Action start 10:27:52: INSTALL.
Action start 10:27:52: FindRelatedProducts.
Action ended 10:27:52: FindRelatedProducts. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: AppSearch.
Action ended 10:27:52: AppSearch. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetAPPINSTALLERSHORTCUT_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetAPPINSTALLERSHORTCUT_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetDESKTOPSHORTCUT_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetDESKTOPSHORTCUT_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetSTARTMENUSHORTCUT_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetSTARTMENUSHORTCUT_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetUSERCONTEXT_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetUSERCONTEXT_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetDISABLEWAUAUTOUPDATE_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetDISABLEWAUAUTOUPDATE_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetUPDATESATLOGON_1.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetUPDATESATLOGON_1. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetUPDATESATLOGON_CHECKED.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetUPDATESATLOGON_CHECKED. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: SetUPDATEPRERELEASE_0.
Action ended 10:27:52: SetUPDATEPRERELEASE_0. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: LaunchConditions.
Action ended 10:27:52: LaunchConditions. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: ValidateProductID.
Action ended 10:27:52: ValidateProductID. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: CostInitialize.
Action ended 10:27:52: CostInitialize. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: FileCost.
Action ended 10:27:52: FileCost. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: CostFinalize.
Action ended 10:27:52: CostFinalize. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: MigrateFeatureStates.
Action ended 10:27:52: MigrateFeatureStates. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: InstallValidate.
Action ended 10:27:52: InstallValidate. Return value 1.
Action start 10:27:52: RemoveExistingProducts.
CustomAction  returned actual error code 1612 (note this may not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside sandbox)
MSI (s) (68:88) [10:28:09:098]: Product: Winget-AutoUpdate -- Error 1714. The older version of Winget-AutoUpdate cannot be removed.  Contact your technical support group.  System Error 1612.

Error 1714. The older version of Winget-AutoUpdate cannot be removed.  Contact your technical support group.  System Error 1612.
Action ended 10:28:09: RemoveExistingProducts. Return value 3.
Action ended 10:28:09: INSTALL. Return value 3.
Property(S): ALLUSERS = 1
Property(S): ARPCOMMENTS = STABLE
Property(S): ARPPRODUCTICON = icon.ico
Property(S): WIXUI_EXITDIALOGOPTIONALCHECKBOXTEXT = Run WAU after closing this wizard.
Property(S): ARPHELPLINK = https://github.com/Romanitho/Winget-AutoUpdate
Property(S): ARPURLINFOABOUT = https://github.com/Romanitho/Winget-AutoUpdate
Property(S): WIXUI_INSTALLDIR = INSTALLDIR
Property(S): INSTALLDIR = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\
Property(S): RUN_WAU = NO
Property(S): NOTIFICATIONLEVEL_VALUE = Full
Property(S): USERCONTEXT_REG = #0
Property(S): DISABLEWAUAUTOUPDATE_REG = #0
Property(S): UPDATESINTERVAL_VALUE = Never
Property(S): UPDATESATLOGON_REG = #1
Property(S): USEWHITELIST = 0
Property(S): DONOTRUNONMETERED_VALUE = #1
Property(S): UPDATESATTIME_VALUE = 06:00:00
Property(S): UPDATESATTIMEDELAY_VALUE = 00:00
Property(S): BYPASSLISTFORUSERS_VALUE = #0
Property(S): MAXLOGFILES_VALUE = #3
Property(S): MAXLOGSIZE_VALUE = #1048576
Property(S): UPDATEPRERELEASE_VALUE = #0
Property(S): DESKTOPSHORTCUT_VALUE = #0
Property(S): STARTMENUSHORTCUT_VALUE = #0
Property(S): APPINSTALLERSHORTCUT_VALUE = #0
Property(S): DefaultUIFont = WixUI_Font_Normal
Property(S): WixUI_Mode = InstallDir
Property(S): ARPNOMODIFY = 1
Property(S): Manufacturer = Romanitho
Property(S): ProductCode = {7D688100-F55E-48E2-BAF8-A9D568404E66}
Property(S): ProductLanguage = 1033
Property(S): ProductName = Winget-AutoUpdate
Property(S): ProductVersion = 2.7.0.1950
Property(S): UpgradeCode = {BDDEA607-F4AF-4229-8610-16E3B6455FDC}
Property(S): ErrorDialog = ErrorDlg
Property(S): WixUIRMOption = UseRM
Property(S): SecureCustomProperties = APPINSTALLERSHORTCUT;AZUREBLOBURL;B_W_LIST_PATH;BURNMSIMODIFY;BURNMSIREPAIR;BURNMSIUNINSTALL;BYPASSLISTFORUSERS;DESKTOPSHORTCUT;DISABLEWAUAUTOUPDATE;DONOTRUNONMETERED;LISTPATH;MAXLOGFILES;MAXLOGSIZE;MODSPATH;NOTIFICATIONLEVEL;STARTMENUSHORTCUT;UPDATEPRERELEASE;UPDATESATLOGON;UPDATESATTIME;UPDATESATTIMEDELAY;UPDATESINTERVAL;USERCONTEXT;WIX_DOWNGRADE_DETECTED;WIX_UPGRADE_DETECTED
Property(S): WIX_UPGRADE_DETECTED = {E934AB1F-2689-411B-B266-6591CF7E77D7}
Property(S): POWERSHELLEXE = C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
Property(S): UPDATESATLOGON_CHECKED = 1
Property(S): APPINSTALLERSHORTCUT = 0
Property(S): DESKTOPSHORTCUT = 0
Property(S): STARTMENUSHORTCUT = 0
Property(S): USERCONTEXT = 0
Property(S): DISABLEWAUAUTOUPDATE = 0
Property(S): UPDATESATLOGON = 1
Property(S): UPDATEPRERELEASE = 0
Property(S): DesktopFolder = C:\Users\Public\Desktop\
Property(S): Wau = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Winget-AutoUpdate\
Property(S): dJj8KxgPPpPlkXxHHy600C.pTdus = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\config\
Property(S): d_lwaRlc1eXHHBfew6FNw5In3c20 = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\functions\
Property(S): dACs9PqrMKiKhzUb3tYC4G0n2_FQ = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\icons\
Property(S): d_UlDzmm6_XUDRpejJgKYsazJPNs = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\locale\
Property(S): dwSuwX2arhf6sT2HfgwU3D7KgKXs = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\mods\
Property(S): dWq_ME0PQqSZAp2sIykGl_AJFXJs = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\mods\bins\
Property(S): ProgramFiles6432Folder = C:\Program Files\
Property(S): ProgramMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\
Property(S): d1gBIMkNBo__LI.z6CIRNAjpPTdI = C:\Program Files\Winget-AutoUpdate\mods\
Property(S): ProgramFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\
Property(S): TARGETDIR = D:\
Property(S): MsiLogFileLocation = C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\DiagOutputDir\WinGet-Romanitho.Winget-AutoUpdate.2.7.0-2025-08-26-10-27-51.901.log
Property(S): PackageCode = {05CA6830-B35C-4F12-ADAA-FC3F2DC5F9F0}
Property(S): ProductState = -1
Property(S): PackagecodeChanging = 1
Property(S): REBOOTPROMPT = S
Property(S): REBOOT = ReallySuppress
Property(S): CURRENTDIRECTORY = C:\Windows\System32
Property(S): CLIENTUILEVEL = 2
Property(S): CLIENTPROCESSID = 12148
Property(S): MsiSystemRebootPending = 1
Property(S): VersionDatabase = 200
Property(S): VersionMsi = 5.00
Property(S): VersionNT = 603
Property(S): ACTION = INSTALL
Property(S): VersionNT64 = 603
Property(S): WindowsBuild = 9600
Property(S): ServicePackLevel = 0
Property(S): ServicePackLevelMinor = 0
Property(S): MsiNTProductType = 1
Property(S): WindowsFolder = C:\WINDOWS\
Property(S): WindowsVolume = C:\
Property(S): System64Folder = C:\WINDOWS\system32\
Property(S): SystemFolder = C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\
Property(S): RemoteAdminTS = 1
Property(S): TempFolder = C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Temp\
Property(S): ProgramFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\
Property(S): CommonFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\
Property(S): CommonFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\Common Files\
Property(S): AppDataFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\
Property(S): FavoritesFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\Favorites\
Property(S): NetHoodFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts\
Property(S): PersonalFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\Documents\
Property(S): PrintHoodFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts\
Property(S): RecentFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
Property(S): SendToFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\
Property(S): TemplateFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
Property(S): CommonAppDataFolder = C:\ProgramData\
Property(S): LocalAppDataFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\
Property(S): MyPicturesFolder = C:\Users\xxxxx\Pictures\
Property(S): AdminToolsFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\
Property(S): StartupFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Property(S): StartMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\
Property(S): FontsFolder = C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\
Property(S): GPTSupport = 1
Property(S): OLEAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): ShellAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): MsiAMD64 = 25
Property(S): Msix64 = 25
Property(S): Intel = 25
Property(S): PhysicalMemory = 15681
Property(S): VirtualMemory = 23949
Property(S): AdminUser = 1
Property(S): MsiTrueAdminUser = 1
Property(S): LogonUser = xxxxx
Property(S): UserSID = S-1-5-21-209326318-1704288112-2837461678-1002
Property(S): UserLanguageID = 3072
Property(S): ComputerName = TCHRLT
Property(S): SystemLanguageID = 1033
Property(S): ScreenX = 1024
Property(S): ScreenY = 768
Property(S): CaptionHeight = 23
Property(S): BorderTop = 1
Property(S): BorderSide = 1
Property(S): TextHeight = 16
Property(S): TextInternalLeading = 3
Property(S): ColorBits = 32
Property(S): TTCSupport = 1
Property(S): Time = 10:28:09
Property(S): Date = 26/08/2025
Property(S): MsiNetAssemblySupport = 4.8.9032.0
Property(S): MsiWin32AssemblySupport = 6.3.26100.1
Property(S): RedirectedDllSupport = 2
Property(S): MsiRunningElevated = 1
Property(S): Privileged = 1
Property(S): USERNAME = User
Property(S): DATABASE = C:\WINDOWS\Installer\229a7d7.msi
Property(S): OriginalDatabase = C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Temp\WinGet\Romanitho.Winget-AutoUpdate.2.7.0\WAU.msi
Property(S): UILevel = 3
Property(S): MsiUIProgressOnly = 1
Property(S): MsiUIHideCancel = 1
Property(S): MIGRATE = {E934AB1F-2689-411B-B266-6591CF7E77D7}
Property(S): ROOTDRIVE = D:\
Property(S): CostingComplete = 1
Property(S): OutOfDiskSpace = 0
Property(S): OutOfNoRbDiskSpace = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceAvailable = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceRequired = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceRemaining = 0
Property(S): INSTALLLEVEL = 1
MSI (s) (68:88) [10:28:09:142]: Windows Installer installed the product. Product Name: Winget-AutoUpdate. Product Version: 2.7.0.1950. Product Language: 1033. Manufacturer: Romanitho. Installation success or error status: 1603.

=== Logging stopped: 26/08/2025  10:28:09 ===

Additional information

No response

[joern15]

I also have a problem like this.

I think there was a Problem while WAU Updates itself. Now the Install-Directory is empty an I cannot install WAU via GPO deployment and also not manual uaing the MSI-Installer.
I Get an Error-Message: "The feature you are trying to use is on a
resource that is unavailable."
When I use the network-source of the WAU.msi it says:
"The file \NETWORKSOURCE\WAU.msi is not a valid installation package for the product Wnget-Auto Update. Try to find
the installation package WAU.msi in a folder from which you can install Winget -Auto Update."

[KnifMelti]

You could try:

::Uninstall for ANY version:
powershell.exe -Command "Get-Package -Name "*Winget-AutoUpdate*" | Uninstall-Package -Force"

This is a problem with your local MSI dB/registry.
Clean it up with the old MsiZap:
https://github.com/Romanitho/Winget-AutoUpdate/tree/main/Sources/Winget-AutoUpdate/mods/bins

WAU 2.7.0 has Product Code {7D688100-F55E-48E2-BAF8-A9D568404E66}

Or: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d

[FaserF]

Can also not confirm the bug on my machines.

[joern15]

Thanks for the feedback.

1.)

::Uninstall for ANY version:
powershell.exe -Command "Get-Package -Name "*Winget-AutoUpdate*" | Uninstall-Package -Force"

That didn't work for me. The package was not recognized as installed.

2.)

This is a problem with your local MSI dB/registry. Clean it up with the old MsiZap: https://github.com/Romanitho/Winget-AutoUpdate/tree/main/Sources/Winget-AutoUpdate/mods/bins

I didn't try that because I had already successfully applied the following solution.

3.)

Or: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d

The troubleshooter removed all traces of WAU and the installation worked again.

However, I have to do this in a domain for several computers, so I looked for other solutions:
I removed all WAU registry keys using a Powershell script. After that, the installation worked again.

In my case, I removed these registry keys (these may vary depending on the version installed!):

HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\UpgradeCodes\706AEDDBFA4F92246801613A83916BA47
HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\545185C0B9408B041AC013A83916BA47
HKCR:\Installer\Features\545185C0B9408B041AC013A83916BA47
HKCR:\Installer\UpgradeCodes\706AEDDBFA4F92246801613A83916BA47
HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\545185C0B9408B041AC013A83916BA47
HKCR:\Installer\Products\545185C0B9408B041AC013A83916BA47
HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\758A07148E27D2A44997788ECE8280C3
HKCR:\Installer\Products\758A07148E27D2A44997788ECE8280C3

[wepecko]

Hello, thanks for the feedback
Option1) doesnt work for me, no package found
Option2) I tried MsiZap without success. it show some action but new installation still cannot be completed
Option3) MS troubleshooter WORKS! (for me i think first time since Win98). after device restart, GPO kicks in and deploys new version without problem

Im very grateful for listing the registry keys @joern15, to be checked and removed. Most helpful
Have a nice day

[github-actions]

This issue is stale because it has been open for 30 days with no activity.