Fixing ‘Another Instance is Already Running’ – Simple Steps

If you have been using a Windows operating system for a while, you might know that the operating system is full of bugs. Windows errors are of two types: those that don’t do much harm and those that don’t allow users to log in. One common error message that users encounter is “Another instance is running.” In this article, we will discuss the causes of this error and provide simple steps to resolve it.

What is the ‘Another instance is running’ error?

The “Another instance is running” error is a common issue that Windows users may encounter when trying to start a software or application. This error message indicates that the installer for the software or application is already running in the background, preventing any new instances from being launched.

To fix this error, it is important to close and kill the running process associated with the software or application. By doing so, you can free up system resources and allow the software or application to start without any conflicts.

Please note that the causes of this error can vary. It may be due to a specific program or process running in the background, such as Ad-Aware Web Companion. In some cases, a system file corruption or a bug in Windows itself may be the root cause. In the following sections, we will discuss different methods to fix the “Another instance is running” error.

Table 2: Common Causes of the ‘Another instance is running’ error

CauseDescription
Running process in the backgroundThe installer for the software or application is already running, preventing new instances from being launched.
Ad-Aware Web CompanionThe presence of Ad-Aware Web Companion can trigger the error message.
System file corruptionCorrupted system files can cause various errors, including the “Another instance is running” error.
Windows bugOccasionally, a bug in the Windows operating system itself may be the root cause of the error.

Now that we have a better understanding of what causes the “Another instance is running” error, let’s dive into the methods that can help resolve this issue. By following the steps outlined in the next sections, you will be able to troubleshoot and fix this error effectively.

Method 1: Remove Ad-Aware Web Companion

If you are experiencing the “Another instance is running” error, one potential cause could be the presence of Ad-Aware Web Companion on your Windows 10/11 system. To fix this error, you can follow the steps below to remove Ad-Aware Web Companion:

  1. Go to the Control Panel of your Windows operating system.
  2. Navigate to the “Programs & Features” section.
  3. Locate “Ad-Aware Web Companion” in the list of installed programs.
  4. Select “Ad-Aware Web Companion” and click on the “Uninstall” or “Remove” button.

Once you have successfully removed Ad-Aware Web Companion, restart your computer and check if the “Another instance is running” error message has been resolved.

Method 2: Find and Close The Process From the Task Manager

If you have already removed Ad-Aware Web Companion but still encounter the “Another instance is running” error, you can try closing the process associated with the running software or application from the Task Manager. This method allows you to manually identify and terminate the process that is causing the error.

To begin, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” from the menu. Once the Task Manager window is open, navigate to the “Processes” tab.

In the Processes tab, look for the process that is related to the software or application causing the error. You can identify the process by its name or by looking for the software/application name in the “Description” column. Once you have located the process, right-click on it and select “End Task” or “End Process” to close it.

After closing the process, check if the “Another instance is running” error message persists. If the error still occurs, you can try the other methods mentioned in this article to resolve the issue.

StepDescription
Step 1Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard or right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the menu.
Step 2Navigate to the “Processes” tab in the Task Manager window.
Step 3Locate the process associated with the software/application causing the error.
Step 4Right-click on the process and select “End Task” or “End Process” to close it.
Step 5Check if the “Another instance is running” error message persists.

Method 3: Restart Your Computer

If you have tried the previous methods and are still encountering the “Another instance is running” error, a simple restart of your computer might help resolve the issue. Restarting your computer can refresh the system and clear any temporary glitches or conflicts that may be causing the error message.

To restart your computer, follow these steps:

  1. Save any unsaved work and close all open applications.
  2. Click on the “Start” menu in the bottom left corner of your screen.
  3. Click on the “Power” button.
  4. Select “Restart” from the menu that appears.

Allow your computer to restart fully and then check if the “Another instance is running” error message reappears. If it does, proceed to the next method to further troubleshoot the issue.

restart computer

Summary

In this method, we discussed the option of restarting your computer to resolve the “Another instance is running” error. Restarting your computer can help clear temporary glitches or conflicts that may be causing the error message. Follow the steps provided to restart your computer and check if the error persists.

Method 4: Reinstall The Problematic Software

If the previous methods have not resolved the “Another instance is running” error, you can try reinstalling the problematic software or application. Sometimes, the installation files or settings of the software can get corrupted, causing the error to occur.

By reinstalling the software, you can ensure that you have a fresh and clean installation, which may fix any underlying issues.

To reinstall the problematic software, follow these steps:

  1. First, go to the Control Panel on your Windows system.
  2. Navigate to the “Programs & Features” section.
  3. Find the problematic software or application from the list of installed programs.
  4. Click on the software, and then select the option to uninstall or remove it.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
  6. Once the software is uninstalled, restart your computer.
  7. After the restart, download the latest version of the software from the official website or a trusted source.
  8. Install the software by following the installation wizard instructions.
  9. After the installation is complete, launch the software and check if the “Another instance is running” error message is resolved.

Reinstalling the problematic software can often resolve the error, as it gives you a fresh start with the software’s installation files. However, if the error persists even after reinstalling the software, you may need to explore other methods to fix the issue.

MethodSteps
Remove Ad-Aware Web Companion1. Go to Control Panel
2. Navigate to Programs & Features
3. Find and remove “Ad-Aware Web Companion”
Find and Close The Process From the Task Manager1. Open Task Manager
2. Go to the Processes tab
3. Close the process related to the software
Restart Your Computer1. Restart your computer and check if the error reappears
Reinstall The Problematic Software1. Uninstall the software from Programs & Features
2. Download the latest version from the official website
3. Install the software and check for the error
Create a new user account1. Follow the instructions provided in the article to create a new user account
Run the SFC/DISM Command1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Execute the commands mentioned in the article
3. Restart your Windows system
Download all Pending Windows Updates1. Open Settings app
2. Navigate to Windows Update section
3. Click on “Check for Updates”

In the next section, we will discuss another method that you can try if reinstalling the software does not fix the “Another instance is running” error.

Method 5: Create a New User Account

If you are still unable to identify the problematic software or process causing the “Another instance is running” error, creating a new user account can be a potential solution. By creating a new user account, you will have a fresh account without any connections to the old one, which can help resolve the error. Follow the steps below to create a new user account:

Step 1: Open the Settings App

To begin, open the Settings app on your Windows system. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon, which represents the Settings app.

Step 2: Navigate to the Accounts Section

Once you have the Settings app open, navigate to the “Accounts” section. Look for the “Accounts” tab or search for “Accounts” in the search bar within the Settings app.

Step 3: Add a New User Account

Within the “Accounts” section, you should see an option to “Add a family member or someone else to this PC.” Click on this option to add a new user account. Follow the prompts and provide the necessary information to create the new account.

After creating the new user account, log out of your current account and log in to the newly created account. Check if the “Another instance is running” error still persists. If the error message no longer appears, it indicates that the issue was related to your old user account. You can continue using the new account and transfer your files and settings if needed.

Creating a new user account can help isolate the problematic software or process causing the error and provide a fresh environment to work with. It is a simple yet effective method to resolve the “Another instance is running” error on your Windows system.

Method 6: Run the SFC/DISM Command

If you’re still facing the “Another instance is running” error on your Windows system, it’s possible that system file corruption is causing the issue. Running the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) commands can help resolve this problem.

To start, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start Menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator.” Once the Command Prompt window opens, you’re ready to execute the necessary commands.

Here are the steps to run the SFC and DISM commands:

Step 1: Run the SFC Command

  1. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  2. Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time.
  3. If any corrupt system files are found, the SFC command will automatically repair them.

Step 2: Run the DISM Command

  1. Type the following command and press Enter: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  2. Wait for the command to execute and complete. This process may also take some time.
  3. The DISM command will scan your system for issues and attempt to fix them.

After running both commands, it’s recommended to restart your Windows system. This will allow any changes made through the SFC and DISM commands to take effect. Once your system reboots, check if the “Another instance is running” error is resolved.

Method 7: Download all Pending Windows Updates

The “Another instance is running” error can sometimes be caused by a software bug or glitch. To resolve this issue, one method you can try is downloading and installing all pending Windows updates. By ensuring that your operating system is up to date, you can often fix any underlying issues that may be causing the error message.

To download the pending updates, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your Windows system.
  2. Navigate to the Windows Update section.
  3. Click on the “Check for Updates” button.

Windows will now automatically search for any available updates and download them. Once the updates are installed, restart your computer and see if the “Another instance is running” error message has disappeared. Updating your Windows system regularly is important not just for bug fixes, but also for security enhancements and overall system performance.

Conclusion

The “Another instance is running” error can be frustrating, but with the methods discussed in this article, you should be able to resolve it. By following these steps carefully, you can effectively fix the error and regain access to your software or applications.

Remember that troubleshooting errors in Windows is an ongoing process, and it’s always helpful to have a community of users to share their experiences and solutions.

If the error persists or if you have any other ideas on how to fix it, please share them in the comments. Your insights and suggestions can help others who are facing the same issue. Resolving Windows errors not only benefits you but also contributes to a better computing experience for everyone.

Keep in mind that while these methods have proven to be effective in resolving the “Another instance is running” error, it’s important to consider each method based on your specific situation. Every system is unique, and it’s possible that different factors may contribute to the error.

By utilizing the knowledge and solutions shared in this article, you can overcome this error and ensure a smooth Windows experience.

FAQ

What is the ‘Another instance is running’ error?

The ‘Another instance is running’ error occurs when the installer for a software or application is already running in the background, preventing users from starting any software or application.

How can I remove Ad-Aware Web Companion?

To remove Ad-Aware Web Companion, go to the Control Panel, navigate to Programs & Features, find and remove “Ad-Aware Web Companion” from the list of installed programs. After removing it, restart your computer to see if the error message is resolved.

How do I find and close the process from the Task Manager?

Open Task Manager, go to the Processes tab, and look for the process related to the software or application causing the error. Close the process and check if the error message persists.

Should I restart my computer to fix the error?

Sometimes a simple restart can fix most Windows errors, including the ‘Another instance is running’ error. After the restart, check if the error message reappears. If it does, proceed to the next method.

How can I reinstall the problematic software?

Go to the Control Panel, navigate to Programs & Features, and uninstall the software from the list. Once uninstalled, reinstall the software and check if the error message disappears.

Is creating a new user account a possible solution?

Yes, creating a new user account can potentially resolve the ‘Another instance is running’ error. Follow the instructions provided in the article to create a new user account.

How can I run the SFC/DISM command?

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the commands mentioned in the article. After running the commands, restart your Windows system and check if the error is resolved.

How do I download pending Windows updates?

Open the Settings app, navigate to the Windows Update section, and click on the ‘Check for Updates’ button. Windows will automatically find and download any available updates. After the updates are installed, check if the error message persists.

How can I permanently fix the ‘Another instance is running’ error?

While the methods mentioned in this article should resolve the error, troubleshooting errors in Windows is an ongoing process. If the error persists or if you have any other ideas on how to fix it, please share them in the comments.

2 thoughts on “Fixing ‘Another Instance is Already Running’ – Simple Steps”

  1. Very helpful post. Especially that idea to minimize Antivirus is awesome. Many people think that Antivirus make fast but excess is not good.

    Regards
    Rishi Tiwari

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