Windows 10: Receiving message "Program is already open on this computer" when program is not running

I'm working with a widows 10 PC 64bit that locked up during use. The user performed a hard reboot when the system locked up. After it finished start-up the user tried to re-open the program they were using before the reboot and received the message "Program is already open on this computer". The task manager does not show any programs running. Doing a proper restart has also not corrected this issue. Is there a way to troubleshoot or correct this without reinstalling the program?

:)

 

Cannot run Microsoft programs

Hi Lisa,

To better assist you, we would like to know the following information:

• Are you able to run non-Microsoft programs on your computer?
• Do you receive any error message when running Microsoft programs? If yes, what is the exact error message that you receive?
  
• Have you made any recent software or hardware changes on the computer?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?

In the meantime, kindly use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files. For steps on how to run the System File Checker tool, check the following link:

Use the System File Checker tool.

Looking forward to your response.

 

Open a running program

Hi,

Which program are you referring to?

If Windows states that the program but can't see it, then I would suggest you check in the task manager if the program is running in the background. Right click on the start menu and select "Task manager" and check if the process is listed in the processes
that are running currently. If yes, right click on the program and click on "End task" to end the process completely. Now restart the PC and try launching the program. If the issue persists, get back to us with the name of the application that you are trying
to use so that we can check suggest accordingly.

 

Cannot insta;; or uninstall programs it keeps saying a program already being installed!

Hi Brandi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for your interest in Windows 10.

I will definitely assist you with the issue.

To understand the issue better, please provide us more information.

• 
  Which program are you trying to uninstall?
  
• 
  What is the exact issue with Office XP Student?
  

The issue you are facing could be due to the program is running on desktop background. Let’s try simple troubleshooting steps and heck if it help in resolving the issue. Follow the below steps:

Step 1.

I suggest you to go to the task manager and check if the program is running on Windows back ground. Follow the below steps:

• Press CTRL+Shift+ESC to open Task manager.
• Locate for the program which you are trying to uninstall.
• Right click on it and click on End task.
• Try uninstalling the program.

If the issue still persist try the below steps.

Step 2.

I would recommend you to restart the computer and as soon as the computer boot up try uninstalling the programs.

If the above steps did not fix the issue try the below steps provided.

Step 3.

I suggest you to unregister and register the Windows installer and check if it helps. Follow the below steps:

• 
  Click Start, click Run, type
  MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs.
  
• 
  Click Start, click Run, type
  MSIEXEC /REGSERVER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs, or you may briefly see an hourglass. After you run this command, the operation is complete.
  

Hope this helps. Post us with the status we will be glad to help you.