7.6.9 Upgrade Fails on Windows 10

[Ardemus]

I'm attempting to upgrade from 7.5.1 to 7.6.9
I'm running Windows 10 Home version 1903
The installer fails with the error:

Failed to install files. Most likely some software, possibly Folding@home, is currently using one or more files that the installer is trying to upgrade...

The last detail the installer lists is: Extract: ssleay32.dll... 100%

I have manually exited the software, restarted Windows, waited for the current WUs to finish so folding was idle, used autoruns to remove folding from the startup folder (so it did not run automatically), restarted windows again. I've also deleted SSLEAY32.dll from the folding at home folder (the installer replaces it before throwing the error). I presume that the problem is with a file that isn't listed.

Can anyone help?

[PantherX]

Welcome to the F@H Forum Ardemus,

You can first set your Slots to Finish in FAHControl.
Ensure that you have your username/passkey/team details safely stored outside of the client
Once all WUs have finished and uploaded, exit the client
Uninstall the client and ensure that you select the option to delete data
Download the new version which is 7.6.9 from here: https://foldingathome.org/start-folding/
Install as normal and enter the details for your username/passkey/team

[Ardemus]

Thanks. How do I uninstall FAH? The FAH start menu group doesn't include the uninstaller the main site FAQ refers to, and the uninstall command in Apps & Features throws an error, "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FAHClient\Uninstall.exe'... (Note that there may be typos in these transcriptions since none of the dialog boxes allow you to copy the text).

[TomJohnson]

The Uninstaller does not get installed during a Normal Install. You have to do a Custom Install and check to select the install of the Uninstaller. I also read that there is a problem with the SSL DLL file - the Certificate is not current.

[Ardemus]

Wait, what? I have to uninstall it to reinstall it, and I have to reinstall it to install the uninstaller?

I still have the 7.5.1 installer (my current version). In advanced you get to choose two folders, how to start the program, and optionally install the screen saver (which I did not do the first time). If I proceed with installing my current version it fails at the same point and with the same message as 7.6.9. I don't recall being offered an uninstaller after finishing the install process (I certainly would have opted in if asked), but I can't finish the install to confirm.

[PantherX]

To uninstall the client, please see "Uninstall Through Control Panel" here: https://au.pcmag.com/how-to/62871/6-eas ... windows-10

If you choose to delete the data, ensure that you have finished processing all the WUs and that you have a copy of the username/passkey/team so that you can reuse it.

[uyaem]

Also, if you had selected custom install for 7.5.1, and selected a data directory that deviates from default, that you haven't accidentally specified an already existing dir that contains FAH-unrelated data, as it will get removed completely if you choose to remove all FAH data during uninstall.

[Ardemus]

Thank you for the suggestions.

I always use the default install directory (too many programs rely on an absolute path here and there).

The control panel also throws an error. I imagine it tries to call the same missing uninstaller. I does, kindly, offer to remove the app from the list.

[goates]

I've run into this issue as well, and none of the options for uninstalling work for me either. Before installing I made sure to complete all WU that were in progress.

It seems a little odd that the uninstaller is not installed by default, and I never saw an option to include it. And there is no mention of any such option in the documentation.

At least my install of v7.5.1 appears to still be working.

[bruce]

You want to install the new FAHClient ... just do it without uninstalling. The first thing it does for me is stop the active client and then upgrade the appropriate files. then it asks me if I want to start folding.

When I did it, the active WUs were restarted from the last checkpoint.

the only real interruption was a WIndows pop-up asking me to authorize the installation of programs which go in C:\program files.

[Askebrand]

I couldnt install, so i I did a custom install and made a new folder fahclient2 instead of the suggested fahclient where the old files resides. It worked, and I keep my work units.

[goates]

You want to install the new FAHClient ... just do it without uninstalling. The first thing it does for me is stop the active client and then upgrade the appropriate files. then it asks me if I want to start folding.

That's what I tried at first, but got the error mentioned in the OP's post. Also disabled my anti-virus to make sure it wasn't interfering.

[Ardemus]

...just do it without uninstalling.

The original problem starts there, as described in the OP among the other things I tried before posting.

[jrweiss]

It seems a little odd that the uninstaller is not installed by default, and I never saw an option to include it.

Uninstall.exe shows up in the FAHClient folder in my 7.6.9 install, and was put there by default. Have you checked there?

Have you looked in the Task Manager to find and End the FahControl, FahClient, FahCore, and FahCoreWrapper tasks? All but the FahControl show up in the Background Tasks list.

Does F@H show up in your Windows Settings Apps & Features? Have you tried simply uninstalling it from there?

As a "brute force" method, once all WUs are finished, shut down the client, search for any of those tasks and End them, and remove FaHClinet from your Startup apps. Reboot the machine, then find and delete the FAHClient and FAHData folders. If there are remaining files in any of those folders, delete anything that you can from the floders, reboot, and try again.

[goates]

Uninstall.exe shows up in the FAHClient folder in my 7.6.9 install, and was put there by default. Have you checked there?

Yep, looked for the uninstaller and it is no where to be found. An earlier reply indicates it is not installed by default, which is what prompted my comment.

Have you looked in the Task Manager to find and End the FahControl, FahClient, FahCore, and FahCoreWrapper tasks? All but the FahControl show up in the Background Tasks list.

Ended everything in the Task Manager related to FAH I could find. Still no joy.

Does F@H show up in your Windows Settings Apps & Features? Have you tried simply uninstalling it from there?

Tried this and, as said above, it doesn't work either as it can't find uninstall.exe either.

As a "brute force" method...

This looks like the only option left.