⚡ Office Installation Error

Fix Office Installation Error 0-1018 Installation Progress - Complete Solution

📅 Updated: Jan 14, 2026 ⏱️ 30-60 min read ✅ Verified Solutions

🚀 Quick Fix Summary

Error Type: Office Installation Error

Error Code: 0-1018

Common Causes: Corrupted Office installation files, insufficient permissions, conflicting Office installations, registry issues, Windows Installer problems

Time to Fix: 30-60 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Success Rate: 92% with proper method selection

The "Office Installation Error 0-1018" is a Microsoft Office installation error that occurs during the Office setup process, typically when the installation cannot complete due to corrupted installation files, insufficient permissions, conflicting Office installations, registry corruption, or Windows Installer service issues. This error message appears during Office installation progress, often at various stages of the installation process, and prevents Office from being installed successfully on your Windows system.

Error 0-1018 specifically indicates that the Office installation process encountered a problem that prevented it from completing. The error can occur during initial installation, when upgrading from an older Office version, when repairing an existing Office installation, or when installing Office updates. The error affects Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2013, Office 2016, Office 2019, and Office 365 (Microsoft 365) installations on Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 systems. Common scenarios include systems with previous Office installations that weren't completely removed, systems with corrupted Windows Installer service, systems with insufficient user permissions to install software, systems with registry corruption affecting Office installation, and systems where Office installation files were corrupted during download or extraction.

This error is particularly frustrating because it can appear at different stages of installation, making it difficult to identify the exact cause. The error may occur immediately when starting installation, during file extraction, during component installation, or near the end of the installation process. Understanding that Error 0-1018 has multiple potential causes is crucial for effective resolution. While the error message is the same, the underlying cause can vary significantly - from simple permission issues to complex registry corruption. This comprehensive guide provides five proven methods to resolve Office Installation Error 0-1018, including completely removing previous Office installations, repairing Windows Installer service, running Office installation as Administrator, cleaning Office installation cache and registry, and using Microsoft's Office Removal Tool for complete cleanup.

Understanding Office Installation Error 0-1018

Office Installation Error 0-1018 is a Windows Installer error code that indicates the Office installation process failed. This error typically occurs when Windows Installer cannot complete the installation due to various system issues, corrupted files, or conflicts with existing installations.

Where this error typically occurs:

  • During initial Office installation - when installing Office for the first time
  • During Office upgrade - when upgrading from older Office version
  • During Office repair - when attempting to repair existing Office installation
  • During Office update installation - when installing Office updates
  • After system changes - when system configuration affects Office installation

Common error messages you might encounter:

  • "Error 0-1018: Installation failed"
  • "Office installation error 0-1018"
  • "Setup failed. Error code: 0-1018"
  • "The installation of Office failed with error 0-1018"
  • Installation progress stops with error 0-1018

Why Office Installation Error 0-1018 occurs:

  • Corrupted Office installation files: Office installation files downloaded or extracted incorrectly
  • Insufficient permissions: User account doesn't have administrator rights to install software
  • Conflicting Office installations: Previous Office installations not completely removed
  • Registry issues: Corrupted Windows registry entries prevent proper Office installation
  • Windows Installer problems: Windows Installer service is corrupted or not functioning properly
  • Antivirus interference: Antivirus software blocking Office installation process
  • Insufficient disk space: Not enough free disk space for Office installation
  • Corrupted Office installation cache: Previous installation attempts left corrupted cache files

Method 1: Completely Remove Previous Office Installations (Recommended First Step)

This method addresses the most common cause of Error 0-1018: conflicting Office installations. Completely removing previous Office installations ensures a clean installation environment.

Removing previous Office installations to fix error 0-1018
  1. Uninstall Office using Windows Settings:
    • Open Settings (Windows + I) → Apps (Windows 10/11)
    • Or Control Panel → Programs and Features
    • Search for "Microsoft Office" or "Office"
    • Uninstall ALL Office-related entries (Office 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 365, etc.)
    • Restart computer after uninstalling
  2. Use Microsoft Office Removal Tool (SaRA):
    • Download Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) from Microsoft's website
    • Or download Office Uninstall Support Tool (specific Office removal tool)
    • Run the tool as Administrator
    • Select "I want to completely remove Office"
    • Follow the tool's instructions to remove all Office components
    • Restart computer when prompted
  3. Manually clean Office folders (if needed):
    • Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\ and delete if exists
    • Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\ and delete if exists
    • Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Office\ and delete if exists
    • Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\ and delete if exists
    • Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\ and delete if exists
  4. Clean Office registry entries (advanced - use with caution):
    • Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator
    • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\
    • Delete Office-related keys (backup registry first - File → Export)
    • Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\
    • Delete Office-related keys
    • Restart computer
  5. Restart your computer:
    • Restart to ensure all Office components are removed
    • Allow Windows to complete startup sequence
  6. Download fresh Office installer:
    • Download Office installer from official Microsoft website
    • Or use Office 365/Microsoft 365 portal to download installer
    • Ensure you download the correct version
  7. Install Office as Administrator:
    • Right-click Office installer → Run as administrator
    • Follow installation wizard
    • Check if Error 0-1018 is resolved

Why this works: Previous Office installations can leave behind files, registry entries, and configuration data that conflict with new installations. Completely removing previous installations ensures a clean environment for Office installation, eliminating conflicts that cause Error 0-1018.

Method 2: Repair Windows Installer Service

Corrupted or malfunctioning Windows Installer service can cause Office Installation Error 0-1018. Repairing the Windows Installer service restores proper installation functionality.

Repairing Windows Installer service to fix error 0-1018
  1. Open Services:
    • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter
    • Or search "Services" in Start menu
  2. Stop Windows Installer service:
    • Find Windows Installer in the services list
    • Right-click → Stop
    • Wait for service to stop
  3. Restart Windows Installer service:
    • Right-click Windows Installer → Start
    • Wait for service to start
    • Right-click → Properties
    • Set Startup type to Manual (if it's Disabled)
    • Click OK
  4. Register Windows Installer files:
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
    • Type: cd C:\Windows\System32 and press Enter
    • Type: regsvr32 msi.dll and press Enter
    • Wait for "DllRegisterServer in msi.dll succeeded" message
    • Type: regsvr32 msiexec.exe and press Enter
    • Note: msiexec.exe may not support registration (this is normal)
  5. Re-register Windows Installer service:
    • Type: msiexec /unregister and press Enter
    • Type: msiexec /regserver and press Enter
    • Wait for registration to complete
  6. Restart Windows Installer service:
    • Open Services again
    • Right-click Windows Installer → Restart
    • Verify service is running
  7. Test Office installation:
    • Run Office installer as Administrator
    • Check if Error 0-1018 is resolved
    • If error persists, proceed to Method 3

When to use this method: Use Method 2 when Error 0-1018 persists after removing previous Office installations, when Windows Installer service shows errors in Services, or when other software installations also fail. Windows Installer issues affect all MSI-based installations, not just Office.

Method 3: Run Office Installation as Administrator and Check Permissions

Insufficient permissions can cause Office Installation Error 0-1018. Running installation as Administrator and ensuring proper permissions resolves permission-related installation failures.

Running Office installation as Administrator to fix error 0-1018
  1. Ensure you're using an Administrator account:
    • Check if your user account has Administrator rights
    • Open Settings → Accounts → Your info
    • Verify account type shows "Administrator"
    • If not Administrator, switch to Administrator account or contact IT support
  2. Disable User Account Control temporarily (optional):
    • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, press Enter
    • Go to Tools tab → select Change UAC settings → Launch
    • Move slider to "Never notify" (temporarily)
    • Click OK and restart if prompted
    • Important: Re-enable UAC after Office installation completes
  3. Run Office installer as Administrator:
    • Right-click Office installer file → Run as administrator
    • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
    • If installer is already running, close it and restart as Administrator
  4. Check installation folder permissions:
    • Right-click C:\Program Files\ → Properties → Security tab
    • Ensure "Administrators" and "SYSTEM" have "Full control"
    • If permissions are incorrect, click Edit to fix them
    • Check C:\Program Files (x86)\ permissions if installing 32-bit Office
  5. Check temporary folder permissions:
    • Press Windows + R, type %temp%, press Enter
    • Right-click temp folder → Properties → Security tab
    • Ensure your user account has "Full control"
    • Fix permissions if needed
  6. Clean temporary files:
    • In temp folder, delete all files (Ctrl + A, Delete)
    • Skip files that are in use
    • Empty Recycle Bin
  7. Run Office installation:
    • Run Office installer as Administrator
    • Follow installation wizard
    • Check if Error 0-1018 is resolved

Why this works: Office installation requires Administrator privileges to write to Program Files, modify registry, and install system components. Insufficient permissions prevent installation from completing, causing Error 0-1018. Running as Administrator and ensuring proper folder permissions resolves permission-related installation failures.

Method 4: Clean Office Installation Cache and Registry

Corrupted Office installation cache and registry entries can cause Error 0-1018. Cleaning cache and registry ensures a fresh installation environment.

Cleaning Office installation cache to fix error 0-1018
  1. Stop all Office processes:
    • Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
    • End all Office-related processes (WINWORD.EXE, EXCEL.EXE, OUTLOOK.EXE, etc.)
    • End Office Click-to-Run processes if running
    • End Windows Installer processes if running
  2. Clean Office installation cache:
    • Press Windows + R, type %temp%, press Enter
    • Delete all files in temp folder (skip files in use)
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\Temp\ and delete all files
    • Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\ and delete contents (if exists)
    • Empty Recycle Bin
  3. Clean Windows Installer cache:
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
    • Type: msiexec /unregister and press Enter
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\Installer\
    • Delete all .msi and .msp files (be careful - these are cached installers)
    • Or use Windows Installer Cleanup Utility if available
    • Type: msiexec /regserver and press Enter
  4. Clean Office registry entries (advanced - backup first):
    • Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator
    • Click File → Export to backup registry
    • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
    • Delete Office-related subkeys (search for "Office" in keys)
    • Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\
    • Delete Office-related keys
    • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\
    • Delete Office-related keys
  5. Restart your computer:
    • Restart to clear all cached processes and registry entries
    • Allow Windows to complete startup sequence
  6. Download fresh Office installer:
    • Download Office installer from official Microsoft website
    • Ensure you download a fresh copy (not cached)
  7. Install Office as Administrator:
    • Run Office installer as Administrator
    • Follow installation wizard
    • Check if Error 0-1018 is resolved

Warning: Cleaning registry entries can affect other software. Always backup registry before making changes. Only delete Office-related entries if you're certain they're causing the issue.

Method 5: Use Microsoft Office Removal Tool and Fresh Installation

Microsoft's official Office Removal Tool completely removes all Office components, ensuring a clean environment for fresh installation. This method is recommended when other methods fail.

Using Microsoft Office Removal Tool to fix error 0-1018
  1. Download Microsoft Office Removal Tool:
    • Visit Microsoft's official website
    • Search for "Office Uninstall Support Tool" or "Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant"
    • Download the tool (usually named "SetupProd_OffScrub.exe" or similar)
    • Save to easily accessible location
  2. Run Office Removal Tool:
    • Right-click the tool → Run as administrator
    • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
    • Select your Office version (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 365, etc.)
    • Or select "I want to completely remove Office"
    • Follow the tool's instructions
    • Wait for removal to complete (may take 10-30 minutes)
  3. Restart your computer:
    • Restart when prompted by the tool
    • Allow Windows to complete startup sequence
  4. Verify Office is completely removed:
    • Open Settings → Apps
    • Search for "Office" - no Office entries should remain
    • Check C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\ - folder should not exist
    • Check C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\ - folder should not exist
  5. Download fresh Office installer:
    • Download Office installer from official Microsoft website
    • Or use Office 365/Microsoft 365 portal
    • Ensure you download the correct version
    • Save installer to easily accessible location
  6. Install Office as Administrator:
    • Right-click Office installer → Run as administrator
    • Click "Yes" when UAC prompts
    • Follow installation wizard
    • Wait for installation to complete
    • Check if Error 0-1018 is resolved
  7. Activate Office after installation:
    • Launch any Office application (Word, Excel, etc.)
    • Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted
    • Enter product key if required
    • Complete activation process

Why this works: Microsoft's Office Removal Tool is specifically designed to completely remove all Office components, including files, registry entries, and cached data that manual uninstallation may miss. Using this tool ensures a completely clean environment for fresh Office installation, eliminating all potential causes of Error 0-1018.

💡 Pro Tip: Prevent Office Installation Error 0-1018

Completely remove previous Office before installing: Always use Microsoft's Office Removal Tool before installing new Office version. Run installation as Administrator: Always run Office installer with Administrator privileges. Ensure sufficient disk space: Office requires several GB of free disk space - ensure you have at least 10GB free. Disable antivirus temporarily: Temporarily disable antivirus during Office installation to prevent interference. Close all applications: Close all running applications before starting Office installation. Use official Office installer: Always download Office from official Microsoft website or Office 365 portal.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Check Disk Space

Office installation requires significant disk space (typically 3-5GB). Ensure you have at least 10GB free disk space before installing. Check disk space: Right-click C: drive → Properties → check "Free space". Free up space if needed.

Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Antivirus software may interfere with Office installation. Temporarily disable antivirus during installation (re-enable after installation completes). Add Office installer and installation folders to antivirus exclusions if needed.

Check Windows Event Viewer

Event Viewer provides detailed error information. Open Event Viewer (search in Start menu) → Windows Logs → Application. Look for error entries related to Office installation around the time Error 0-1018 occurred. Event Viewer often provides specific causes of installation failures.

Prevention Strategies

  • Completely remove previous Office before installing: Use Microsoft's Office Removal Tool
  • Run installation as Administrator: Always use Administrator privileges
  • Ensure sufficient disk space: Have at least 10GB free before installing
  • Disable antivirus temporarily: Prevent antivirus interference during installation
  • Close all applications: Close running programs before installation
  • Use official Office installer: Download only from official Microsoft sources
  • Keep Windows updated: Regular Windows updates improve installation compatibility

When to Seek Professional Help

If all methods fail to resolve Office Installation Error 0-1018, consider these scenarios:

  • Enterprise environments: In business environments, consult IT support before attempting advanced repairs
  • Persistent registry corruption: If registry corruption persists after cleaning, professional system repair may be needed
  • Multiple installation failures: If Office installation fails repeatedly, deeper system issues may require professional diagnostics
  • Volume license installations: For volume license Office, consult IT support for proper installation procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I fix Error 0-1018 without uninstalling Office?

A: Sometimes, yes. Methods 2 (Repair Windows Installer) and 3 (Run as Administrator) may resolve Error 0-1018 without uninstalling Office. However, if Error 0-1018 occurs during initial installation or if other methods fail, completely removing Office (Method 1 or 5) is usually necessary for successful installation.

Q: Will removing Office delete my documents and files?

A: No, removing Office only removes the Office application files. Your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files remain unaffected. However, you won't be able to open Office files until Office is reinstalled. Always backup important files before major software changes.

Q: Why does Error 0-1018 appear after Windows updates?

A: Windows updates sometimes modify system files, change Windows Installer components, or update system services in ways that affect Office installation. Updates may also remove or modify Office components. Reinstalling Office after Windows updates often resolves post-update Error 0-1018.

Q: Can I install Office if I have insufficient disk space?

A: No, Office installation requires significant disk space (typically 3-5GB). Insufficient disk space can cause Error 0-1018 or other installation errors. Free up at least 10GB of disk space before attempting Office installation.

Q: How long does Office installation take?

A: Office installation typically takes 15-45 minutes depending on your system speed, Office version, and installation type (full installation vs. click-to-run). If installation appears stuck, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it failed. Check Task Manager for Office installation processes to verify installation is still running.