I am attempting to install the newest version of MCEBuddy 2.7.1. I have completely uninstalled the previous version of MCEBuddy along with the entries in the registry as suggested by the install guides I found here. I attempt to install by double clicking the .exe file and get the egg timer for about 2 to 3 seconds then nothing. I attempted trying install with the firewall off but still nothing. I am on Windows 11 pro insider preview so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. I tried to reinstall the previous version but got the same results. It had been working fine before attempting to upgrade. Anybody have this problem and did you figure out how to install? Thank you very much.
Hello @Rospo, welcome to the forum.
Installing MCEBuddy on Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview can sometimes be tricky because the Insider builds occasionally change how the Windows Installer service or security permissions behave.
Since you’ve already tried a basic uninstall and registry cleaning, it’s possible that the MCEBuddy Service itself wasn’t fully removed, or the Windows Installer registration for the product is stuck in a “ghost” state.
Here is a plan to get you back on track, based on our Common Install/Uninstall Issues Guide:
4. Check Windows Event Viewer
If it still fails, the reason is likely logged by Windows:
- Open Event Viewer (search for it in the Start menu).
- Go to Windows Logs > Application.
- Look for “Error” or “Information” entries from MsiInstaller at the exact time you tried to run the setup. If you find an error code (like
1603), please post it here!
Let us know if deleting that specific Registry key in step 2 helps, as that is the most common reason for the “silent failure” during an upgrade.
Thank you for the quick response. I did try #2 and rebooted. No soap. I am not getting the option to run the exe as administrator in the windows explorer. If I have to, I will go back to the stable version of Windows just to get this nice app back to working again. The previews are just for something to do. Funny that I can’t get the previous version to install either. Thank you.
Log Name: Application
Source: MCEBuddy2x
Date: 3/14/2026 9:50:46 AM
Event ID: 23332
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: DESKTOP-SVDA8F4
Description:
The description for Event ID 23332 from source MCEBuddy2x cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.
If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.
The following information was included with the event:
Unable to delete installation directory. Error:System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path ‘MCEBuddy.Globals.dll’ is denied.
at System.IO.Directory.DeleteHelper(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive, Boolean throwOnTopLevelDirectoryNotFound, WIN32_FIND_DATA& data)
at System.IO.Directory.Delete(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive, Boolean checkHost)
at MCEBuddy.Service.ProjectInstaller.DeleteDirectory(String dirPath)
The message resource is present but the message was not found in the message table
Event Xml:
23332
0
2
0
0
0x80000000000000
3628
Application
DESKTOP-SVDA8F4
Unable to delete installation directory. Error:System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path ‘MCEBuddy.Globals.dll’ is denied.
at System.IO.Directory.DeleteHelper(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive, Boolean throwOnTopLevelDirectoryNotFound, WIN32_FIND_DATA& data)
at System.IO.Directory.Delete(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive, Boolean checkHost)
at MCEBuddy.Service.ProjectInstaller.DeleteDirectory(String dirPath)
Looks like your temp folder or program files folder is inaccessible. It could be either a file system permissions issue or you have an antivirus or anti malware which is blocking or deleting some files.
First try doing a clean install as per the instructions here.
Many thanks for the fine help on this issue. I ended up just resetting the OS. Your assessment was on point as the reinstall worked without a hitch afterwards. I guess that’s the nature of previews. I was really happy to have MCEBuddy back and working again. Thank you again.