Step 1: Repair Registry Entries Associated with Error 1618

Manually editing the Windows registry to remove invalid Error 1618 keys is not recommended unless you are PC service professional. Incorrectly editing your registry can stop your PC from functioning and create irreversible damage to your operating system. In fact, one misplaced comma can prevent your PC from booting entirely!

Because of this risk, we recommend using a registry cleaner to assist with this process. Using a registry cleaner automates the process of finding invalid registry entries, missing file references (like the one causing your Windows Installer Error Code 1618 error), and broken links within the registry. A backup is automatically created before each scan, with the ability to undo any changes in a single click, protecting you against the possibility of PC damage.

As a Microsoft Silver Partner, we provide software that can assist you in removing these issues:

To manually repair your Windows registry, first you need to create a backup by exporting a portion of the registry related to Error 1618 (eg. Windows Installer):

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type 'command' in the search box... DO NOT hit ENTER yet!
3. While holding CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, hit ENTER.
4. You will be prompted with a permission dialog box.
5. Click Yes.
6. A black box will open with a blinking cursor.
7. Type 'regedit' and hit ENTER.
8. In the Registry Editor, select the Error 1618-related key (eg. Windows Installer) you want to back up.
9. From the File menu, choose Export.
10. In the Save In list, select the folder where you want to save the Windows Installer backup key.
11. In the File Name box, type a name for your backup file, such as 'Windows Installer Backup'.
12. In the Export Range box, be sure that 'Selected branch' is selected.
13. Click Save.
14. The file is then saved with a .reg file extension.
15. You now have a backup of your Windows Installer-related registry entry.

The next steps in manually editing your registry will not be discussed in this article due to the high risk of damaging your system. If you would like to learn more about manual registry editing, please see the links below.

Windows XP
http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_xp_registry.htm

Windows 7
http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_7/registry_edits_for_win7.htm

Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2688326 - LetMeFixItMyselfAlways

Step 2: Conduct a Full Malware Scan of Your PC

There is a chance that your 1618 error could be related to a malware infection on your PC. These malicious intruders can damage, corrupt, or even delete Runtime Errors-related files. Furthermore, there's a possibility that the 1618 error you are experiencing is related to a component of the malicious program itself.

Step 3: Clean Out Your System Junk (Temporary Files and Folders) With Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr)

Over time, your computer accumulates junk files from normal web surfing and computer use. If this junk isn't occasionally cleaned out, it can cause Windows Installer to respond slowly or provides an 1618 error, possibly due to file conflicts or an overloaded hard drive. Cleaning up these temporary files with Disk Cleanup might not only solve your 1618 error, but can also dramatically speed up the performance of your PC.

Because of the shortcomings of the Windows Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) tool, we highly recommend using a specialized hard drive cleanup / privacy protection software to clean up your entire computer.

As a Microsoft Silver Partner, we provide software that can assist you in cleaning up your temporary files:

How to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type 'command' in the search box... DO NOT hit ENTER yet!
3. While holding CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, hit ENTER.
4. You will be prompted with a permission dialog box.
5. Click Yes.
6. A black box will open with a blinking cursor.
7. Type 'cleanmgr' and hit ENTER.
8. Disk Cleanup will begin calculating how much occupied disk space you can reclaim.
9. The Disk Cleanup dialog box will appear with series of checkboxes you can select. In most cases, the 'Temporary Files' category will occupy the most disk space.
10. Check the boxes of the categories you want to clean and click OK.

Step 4: Update Your PC Device Drivers

1618 errors can be related to corrupt or outdated device drivers. Drivers can work one day, and suddenly stop working the next day, for a variety of reasons. The good news is that you can often update the device driver to fix the Error 1618 problem.

Finding the exact driver for your Error 1618-related hardware device can be extremely difficult, even directly on the Microsoft Corporation or related manufacturer's website. Even if you are experienced at finding, downloading, and manually updating drivers, the process can still be very time consuming and extremely irritating. Installing the wrong driver, or simply an incompatible version of the right driver, can make your problems even worse.

Because of the time and complexity involved in updating drivers, we highly recommend using a driver update software. A driver update tool ensures that you have correct driver versions for your hardware, and also creates a backup of your current drivers before making any changes. Maintaining a driver backup provides you with the security of knowing that you can rollback any driver to a previous version (if necessary).

As a Microsoft Silver Partner, we provide software that can assist you in updating these drivers:

Step 5: Utilize Windows System Restore to 'Undo' Recent System Changes

Windows System Restore allows you to 'go back in time' with your PC to help fix your Error 1618 problems. System Restore can return your PC's system files and programs back to a time when everything was working fine. This can potentially help you avoid hours of troubleshooting headaches associated with 1618 errors.

To use System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Click the Start button.
2. In the search box, type 'System Restore' and hit ENTER.
3. In the results, click System Restore.
4. Enter any administrator passwords (if prompted).
5. Follow the steps in the Wizard to choose a restore point.
6. Restore your computer.

Step 6: Uninstall and Reinstall the Windows Installer Program Associated with Error 1618

If your 1618 error is related to a specific program, reinstalling Windows Installer-related software could be the answer.

Instructions for Windows 7 and Windows Vista:

1. Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button.
2. Click Control Panel on the right side menu.
3. Click Programs.
4. Click Programs and Features.
5. Locate Windows Installer Error Code 1618-associated program (eg. Windows Installer) under the Name column.
6. Click on the Windows Installer-associated entry.
7. Click the Uninstall button on the top menu ribbon.
8. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the uninstallation of your Error 1618-associated program.

Instructions for Windows XP:

1. Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Locate Windows Installer Error Code 1618-associated program (eg. Windows Installer) under the list of Currently Installed Programs.
5. Click on the Windows Installer-associated entry.
6. Click the Remove button on the right side.
7. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the uninstallation of your Error 1618-associated program.

Instructions for Windows 8:

1. Hover the cursor in the bottom left of the screen to produce the Start Menu image.
2. Right-Click to bring up the Start Context Menu.
3. Click Programs and Features.
4. Locate Windows Installer Error Code 1618-associated program (eg. Windows Installer) under the Name column.
5. Click on the Windows Installer-associated entry.
6. Click the Uninstall/Change on the top menu ribbon.
7. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the uninstallation of your Error 1618-associated program.

After you have successfully uninstalled your Error 1618-associated program (eg. Windows Installer), reinstall the program according to the Microsoft Corporation instructions.

Step 7: Run Windows System File Checker ('sfc /scannow')

System File Checker is a handy tool included with Windows that allows you scan for and restore corruptions in Windows system files (including those related to Error 1618).

To run System File Checker (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type 'command' in the search box... DO NOT hit ENTER yet!
3. While holding CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, hit ENTER.
4. You will be prompted with a permission dialog box.
5. Click Yes.
6. A black box will open with a blinking cursor.
7. Type 'sfc /scannow' and hit ENTER.
8. System File Checker will begin scanning for Error 1618 and other system file problems (be patient - the system scan may take a while).
9. Follow the on-screen commands.

Step 8: Install All Available Windows Updates

Microsoft is constantly updating and improving Windows system files that could be associated with Error 1618. Sometimes resolving your Runtime Errors problems may be as simple as updating Windows with the latest Service Pack or other patch that Microsoft releases on an ongoing basis.

To check for Windows Updates (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type 'update' into the search box and hit ENTER.
3. The Windows Update dialog box will appear.
4. If updates are available, click the Install Updates button.

Step 9: Perform a Clean Installation of Windows

This step is your final option in trying to resolve your Error 1618 issue. Reinstalling Windows will erase everything from your hard drive, allowing you to start again with a fresh system. Furthermore, a clean install of Windows will also quickly clean out any and all 'junk' that has accumulated over the normal usage of your computer.