Installation fails with the message "...pending system changes that require a reboot"

Products

• Symantec Products

Issue/Introduction

Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edtion cloud (SEP SBE) will not install successfully and provides the message "...pending system changes that require a reboot"

Cause

The registry value PendingfileRenameOperations in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\ contains information about files that the operating system has marked to replace on reboot.

Resolution

You should reboot the computer to clear the information in this registry key. However, if this message persists after a reboot, follow the steps below to resolve this issue:

Note: You should back up the registry before making any changes. See the link under References for more information.

1. Open the Windows Registry.
2. Search for PendingFileRenameOperations in:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Session Manager
     • If found, back up the key and then delete it.
3. Search for PendingFileRenameOperations in:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\BackupRestore\KeysNotToRestore
     • If found, back up the key and then delete it.  
4. Search for the key RebootRequired in:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update\
     • If found, back up the key and then delete it.    
5. Search for the key Reboot in:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\SHS
     • If found, back up the key and then delete it.

Installation should now proceed successfully.