Does it actually matter whether you have open applications when installing new software?

It seems the norm these days is for installers/setup programs to request that you close all open applications before initiating the install process for a piece of new software. I used to obediently follow these directions without fail, even though it could sometimes be frustrating having to close open documents and stop working on things just to get a new, seemingly unrelated application installed. Then at some point I simply stopped bothering. Nowadays if I have a lot of stuff going on I might even run multiple installers at the same time; I can't even recall a time it has ever posed a problem.

Why do setup programs even make this request in the first place, then, when it appears to be unnecessary? Is this just to simplify troubleshooting for companies' support people? Has anyone else ever run into problems as a result of trying to install an app while other apps were open?

Dan Tao

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 999

1you added windows tag. Doesn't installers on other OSs suggest all programs be closed?? – DrStrangeLove – 2011-07-06T20:23:39.667

Answers

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't matter.

The installer may require access to registry keys that could be locked by an open program.

Also, some installers create a system restore point, open programs can cause problems.

For example, try installing Adobe Flash Player with your web browser open.

Good computing practice is to close running applications before installing any software.

Molly7244

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation:

6A lot of installers will detect if an open program is interfering with the install process (e.g., I seem to remember Google Chrome detects if Firefox is open--if it is, it can't migrate your FF bookmarks) and give you the option to terminate the open program at that point; shouldn't this be the standard approach, rather than instructing the user to close all programs when most if not all of them can remain open without issues? – Dan Tao – 2010-03-01T15:51:13.177

@Dan - much more simple this way, and developers probably still have nightmares regarding dll hell issues. – Rook – 2010-03-01T15:53:35.293

@Dan - there are a gazillion installers out there, some do detect open programs that may interfere, others don't, hence the general advice to close all open programs before installing the new software. if ignoring this advice works for you, fine, but it doesn't alter the validity of the advice in general. – None – 2010-03-01T15:55:18.270

Files can also be locked, not only registry keys. Creating a restore point will very likely tie into the Volume Shadow Copy service and thus won't require anything to be closed. – Joey – 2011-07-06T20:25:03.377

Most times it doesn't, but sometimes it does. For example, old versions of Rhinoceros3d wouldn't install if you had Windows Explorer open (I think they solved that issue now, but I'm not sure).

It is a rather rare issue nowadays, but the warning still remains.

Heh, an old one from bash.org

#139697 +(8107)- [X]

<frank> can you help me install GTA3?
<knightmare> first, shut down all programs you aren't using
frank has quit IRC. (Quit)
<knightmare> ...

Rook

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 21 622

Ha, I like the ellipsis. Did knightmare actually type that? Too bad I can't seem to access bash.org from work. – Dan Tao – 2010-03-01T15:56:32.977

1Don't know whether it's authentic, but wouldn't suprise me :-) – Rook – 2010-03-01T16:41:53.757

Well-written installers will prompt you to close specific applications that are getting in the way. Even some poorly-written installers will give you enough clues to figure out what is in conflict. Just closing applications that you suspect to conflict (web browser while installing a browser plugin) is sufficient most of the time.

Scott

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 1 143

Installers often update system files which may be in use causing an installation to either fail, or require a reboot to complete fully.

By closing all applications, the installer can overwrite system files without any trouble and complete successfully so the newly installed program can be launched either straight away, or after a reboot (depending on the nature of the update).

Ruairi Fullam

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 2 284

Installers can't (or more previsely they could but shouldn't and won't do usually) replace DLLs and other files that are in use by another process. That's why most installers suggest that you should close all open applications. The only consequence when you leave them open is that you'll have to restart after the installation—because the problematic files will then be replaced on the next boot.

Many programs however, don't replace that many DLLs used by other processes and as such it doesn't matter most of the time.

But as others noted, there are some processes that must be closed for the installer to continue, depending on what you're installing.

Joey

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 36 381

Many installers want apps to close so shared DLLs and other files can be accessed. If in use, they may be locked. In many cases the install will be fine but why take the chance?

Dave M

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 12 811

One installer could also kick off another silent installation for a bundled component. If a program is running that conflicts with the silent installation, you may not receive a message indicating what conflicted. You might be able to find out from an installation log file.

Best practice to just close other programs to avoid conflicts.

OldTechGuy

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 1

Some applications require changes to system files, sometimes other programs can conflict with the installation and it could fail, or if you try and run your program it may crash.

It's really just a way to make sure installation of the program is hassle free, sometimes if you don't choose to close the programs a restart is required.

Sandeep Bansal

Posted 2010-03-01T15:41:41.703

Reputation: 6 168