If you receive one of the error messages “Bitdefender Installation failed” or “Setup has encountered an error” while trying to install Bitdefender on a Windows computer, follow the troubleshooting steps below.
1. Remove Old Bitdefender Versions
Use the Bitdefender uninstall tool to remove any trace of previous Bitdefender versions from your PC:
- Download the Bitdefender uninstall tool from this page.
- Run the tool corresponding to your Bitdefender version and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer once the tool completes its process.
2. Remove Other Security Solutions
- To uninstall any other antivirus or security software, follow the steps outlined in the article How to Uninstall or Remove Apps and Programs in Windows.
- Afterward, restart your computer.
- If the uninstall encounters errors, use the dedicated removal tool available here – Uninstall Tools for Major Antivirus Software.
3. Clean Up System Files
- Run Disk Cleanup to clean unnecessary files and the remains of previous security software. Learn How to run Disk Cleanup.
4. Install Bitdefender
- Now download and install the latest version of Bitdefender from your Bitdefender account – How to install Bitdefender on Windows.
5. Use System File Checker (SFC)
- If the installation error persists, we recommend using the Microsoft System File Checker tool (SFC) to repair missing or corrupted files, as specified in this Microsoft article.
6. Check Disk Integrity
- Use the Check Disk tool to check the integrity of disks and correct certain types of common errors. Learn how to run a Disk Check (CHKDSK).
7. Update Windows
Perform all the Windows updates (make sure you have the latest Service Pack installed). Learn how to check for Windows updates or follow the steps below.
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
- Restart your computer if needed.
Note: If you use Windows 8, Windows 10, or a newer Windows version such as Windows 11, also run the DISM command:
- Click the Windows Start menu in the lower-left corner of the screen and type in Command Prompt
- Right-click on Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator.
- Click Yes on the User Account Control Prompt.
- Input the command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and then press Enter on your keyboard.
8. Set Permissions for Bitdefender Folders
Manually add permissions to the Bitdefender installation folders. To do this, you will have to:
- Manually create the folder C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bitdefender\SetupInformation\
- Then right-click on SetupInformation folder and then select Properties.
- Click on the Security tab then click on the Edit button.
- Select your Windows username. After selecting your username, check the box next to Full Control. This will set the correct Windows permissions for the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bitdefender\SetupInformation folder.
- Also set full permissions for these two folders below by repeating step 4 above:
C:\Program Files\Bitdefender (create this folder manually if it doesn’t exist)
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bitdefender
After setting full permissions on the above folders, restart Windows and try again to install Bitdefender.