Error Code: 2502 and 2503, when installing applications on Windows 10

Hi Murilo,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you are facing issues while installing applications on your PC. For further clarity on the issue, please respond to the questions below:

1. Which build version of Windows 10 are you using currently?

2. Are you aware of any changes made to the PC prior to which you weren’t facing this issue?

3. What is the complete error message that you receive when you try to install the applications?

4. What are the applications that you are trying to install?

5. Are you logged in with Administrator account?

Refer the article Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

Meanwhile, I would suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below and see if that helps.

Method 1:

Run the troubleshooter for installing programs and see if that helps. Refer the article Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

Method 2:

Take ownership of installer folder from the root directory and see if that helps.

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer

2. On the left hand pane click on This PC and open the drive on which Windows is installed

3. Now click on View and click on Options on the right hand corner

4. Select the View tab and look for Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)

5. Uncheck the box and Yes

6. Now click on Apply and OK

7. Now double-click on Windows Folder and look for Installer folder

8. Right click on the folder and click on Properties at the bottom of the context menu.

9. Click the Security tab, and click on Advanced. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

10. Click on Change beside owner.

11. Type Everyone, click on Check Names and click on OK.

12. Click on Add.

13. Click on Select a Principal

14. Type Everyone, click on Check Names and click on OK.

15. Click on Full Control

16. Click on OK

17. Now, click on Apply and then click OK.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Hello Prakhar Khare,

Thank you for contacting me. From what I remember, this started after I cleaned my temp folder. My system is in portuguese so this won’t be 100% accurate, but it says something like “the installer found an unexpected error when installing this package. This could mean there’s a problem with the package. Code 2503/2502”. I’m  sure the problem is not with the package because it happens with every installer (.msi) I try to use. Neither of the two methods you listed worked for me. Please let me know if there is anything else I could try doing

Edit: I’m on the latest stable version of Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

If you have any third party antivirus program installed, then try uninstalling the Antivirus software and see if the installation goes through. Refer the section Uninstall or remove apps and programs from the article Repair or remove programs in Windows 10

In addition, you may also want to try installing the program using the default administrator account on Windows. Kindly follow the steps mentioned below to enable default administrator account.

1. Press Windows + S key together to open Search.

2. Now type CMD and select Run as administrator.

3. Accept the UAC prompts.

4. Type in the following commands one by one and hit Enter: net user administrator /active:yes

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator