How To Fix Another Instance Is Running In Win 7, 8 & 10

So many errors happen usually or sometimes rarely whenever I am using my computer. And I know this is the same for every computer user.  In one way or the other, you will reach at a time when you will encounter a certain error.  While some of these computer errors are relatively harmless, others can prevent you from starting your applications. It is recommended to always find a quick fix for such errors.  I will identify one of these errors, the “another instance is running error”. This happens in all computers running windows.

 

Watch Summary Video On How to Fix Another Instance Is Running Error in Windows

https://www.facebook.com/techaai/videos/1455660744563589/

 

If you don’t like it or if you want to read a step by step solution, continue reading.

 

 

FIX A: Uninstall Ad-Aware Web Companion

Another instance is running usually happens every time Windows 10 starts, and it seems that the culprit is Ad-Aware. The Ad-Aware is a solid anti-spyware tool, however, just like many other security tools it comes with Web Companion. From many instances in windows 10, it is usually identified that Web Companion causes another instance is running error to appear. Therefore, the only way to fix this problem is to uninstall the application.

To uninstall the web companion application, follow the following simple steps and come up with a solution to the error.

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to System section and then choose Apps & features.
3. List of all installed applications will appear. Here, select the Web Companion app.
4. Click the Uninstall button to remove the application.

However, if you can’t find this application, you might have to remove Ad-Aware in order to fix the problem. When you remove the Ad-Aware Web Companion, you will have fixed the error. You should also know that almost any other tool can cause this error to appear. Therefore, if the issue still persists, or if you do not use Adware on your computer at all, you might have to find the problematic application on your computer and uninstall it using the steps given above focus on that particular application.

To Read: Guide: How To Fix Network Connections Error

 

 

FIX B: Create A New User Account

Just like you know now, because I had mentioned this, almost any application can cause “Another instance is running error to appear. Therefore, if you can’t find the problematic application, you will have to try creating a new Windows 10 user account. To create a new user account, you will have to follow these simple steps on your computer.

1. Open the Settings app and go to Accounts section.
2. Navigate to Family & other people tab. In Other people section click on Add someone else to this PC button.
3. Select I don’t have this persons sign in information.
4. Now click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
5. Enter the desired user name and password for the new user and click the Next button when you are done.

Now, after creating a new user account on your computer, you need to log off and switch to it. Good news is that if this problem does not appear on your new user account that you have created, you might want to consider switching to it and using it as your primary account. This will automatically fix the problem.

 

 

FIX C: Download The Latest Updates

The “another instance is running error” may have been caused by the fact that you do not have the latest updates of your windows. There are many errors in Microsoft windows that are usually addressed by simply updating the latest updates in windows. According to users, this issue can be fixed simply by installing the latest updates. Windows 10 installs updates automatically, but you can also check for updates manually if you want. To do that, follow these simple steps.

1. Open the Settings app and go to Update & security section.
2. Click the Check for updates button and wait while Windows 10 downloads the available updates.

After downloading and installing the latest updates, you will realize that the error is fixed.

 

FIX D: Stop the Problematic Process

There is another cause of the “another instance is running” which is the time when trying to install AutoCAD software. Therefore by this, it seems that this problem is caused by another AutoCAD process running in the background, so to fix the problem you need to close that process. This is a simple procedure which you can do easily by using Task Manager. So to close the problematic process, you will need to go through the following process.

1. Press Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc to open task manager
2. When task manager starts, go to processes’ tab and look for any AutoCAD process. Right click it and choose End Task from the menu. Repeat this for all AutoCAD processes.
3. After ending all problematic processes, close the task bar and then check if the problem is solved.

This process will solve the error since the AutoCAD process is closed.

To Read: How To Fix Location Not Available Error In win 7, 8 & 10

 

 

FIX E: Reinstall the Problematic Application

From another process, “another instance is running error” occurs when you try to run a specific application. Such a situation maybe when you are trying to run a specific game on your computer or another application. Therefore if you are having this error with any game or application, the only solution is that you will have to reinstall it completely. After reinstalling the problematic software, check if the problem is resolved. You will notice that the problem is solved.

 

 

FIX F: Change the Startup Type of the Workstation Service

Another likely cause of the “Another instance is running error” is while you are trying to install updates for certain Adobe products. It is also likely that here, the “another instance is running error” is related to Workstation service in Windows 10. Therefore, to fix it, you will have to change the service’s settings. To change the service’s settings, you will go through the following process.

1. Press windows Key+ R to open the run dialogue. Enter services msc.com. Then press enter or Okay.
2. Services window will now appear. Locate workstation service and double click it to open the work station.
3. Make sure that start up type is set to automatic.
4. Check the service status. If it is not set to the running. Start the service by clicking on the start button.
5. After changing the startup type, and starting the service, click the click apply and okay to save the changes.
6. Close services window and try to install the application again.

After installing the application again, you will notice that the error is fixed.

After writing about a series of guides to fix most errors encountered while using a computer, I realized I needed to also write about computer maintenance habits that you can adopt in order to save yourself from the dilemma of having additional errors that may be caused by poor maintenance of your computer.

 

 

5 Habits To Save You

 

Here, are the 5 Computer maintenance habits that will save you from some unnecessary errors.

1. Fix Error Messages

Like I had mentioned earlier in the introduction, we all get various error messages, they are usually confusing, seem harmless and that’s why we usually ignore them. However, if not fixed, they can cause further harm to the computer, like slowing down and many others. Good news is that you can fix most of these errors yourself without calling a technician. There is enough content with quick fixes for such errors over the web. For example, the quick fix for “another instance is running error” in the first part of this article. Truth is that the chances are very high that someone had the same exact problem and was able to figure out the solution. You can always find a fix for these errors.

Recommended: Guide: How to Fix IP Address Conflict in Win 7, 8 & 10

2. Update Your OS and Apps

Updating your operating system and computer’s software is necessary and very important. Running an unpatched version of Windows, outdated version of Firefox, or vulnerable version of Java, and many others, you should know that you are putting your computer in a situation of great risk. All operating systems, browsers, and their plug-ins in particular should frequently be updated with security fixes. To be sure that you are keeping all your operating systems and software updated, you will have to set Windows to automatically install updates or at least inform you of them. Therefore, leave your browser set to automatically install updates, and ensure Flash, Adobe Reader, Java, and other browser plug-ins you have installed are set to update automatically. It is recommended that you do not disable these auto-updating features because they help keep your computer secure.

3. Back up All Your Files

Imagine a situation where right now, all of a sudden your computer’s hard drive fails. The most important question here is that would you have backup copies of all your important documents, photos, and other files? Or would you lose lots of important data? It is shocking but true that many people ignore backups until they lose their files. I advise you not to become one of them and start backing up your files before you lose them.

You need to create a backup strategy to ensure your files do not disappear in case of a situation where your computer goes down. You can choose to make regular backups on a removable hard drive or cloud storage service. For example, Windows 8 has a built-in backup tool, while Windows 7 has its own backup feature.

To Read: 5 Tips to Safeguard Your Smart Phone. This Will Help You Decide!

4. Stop Running Multiple Antivirus Software

Assuming that you know that you should have an antivirus on your computer, something very important to know is that you should ensure that you only have a single antivirus program installed and running in the background. However, if you want a second opinion, you can use an antivirus program that will just perform a system scan while not running in the background.

The reason why you should use only one antivirus program on your computer is that antivirus programs hook deep into the operating system, checking programs before they run. Therefore, if you have two antivirus programs attempting to do this at once, they can interfere with each other and cause your computer to crash. They may identify each other as malware or prevent each other from working which will cause certain errors on your computer.

5. Stop Installing and Remove Unused Fishy Apps

Theoretically, unused programs shouldn’t affect your computer (and this is how it looks like) they will just take up a little extra disk space on your computer. However, you may not know, but too many unused programs, especially ad-ware, install extra features on your computer that slow you down. The only thing to do here is to remove these unused programmes.

1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Open the Add/Remove Programs console
3. Highlight any programs you don’t use
4. Click Remove.

Here, after you remove all the programs you don’t need, reboot your computer to kill any old startup programs.

Another important thing about programmes is that when installing programs on your computer, you should be very observant and judge the trustworthiness of each program before you download it. You should never install programs that look scammy. Also be very careful when you install software so that you do not end up installing browser toolbars and other adware that will annoy you. As you are in the processes of downloading programmes, know the types of files that are dangerous and be careful when running them.

It is very important to adopt these mentioned computer maintenance habits that will save you additional errors on your computer. Basically, the habit of fixing errors that always appear as you use your computer is very important. Such errors include the mentioned another instance is running error, location not available and many others.

Many errors happen every day and everyone gets these errors, getting a quick fix for these errors is very important. You will always beat the frustration that comes with these errors by fixing them. I hope you find a solution for your problem in this article.