> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://nolongerset.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Working around the "Reboot Required" error when installing SQL Server
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/working-around-the-reboot-required-error-when-installing-sql-server/
- Published: 2021-01-03T16:34:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T13:07:03.000Z
- Description: A previous installation required a reboot... To proceed, [uninstall ODBC Driver 17,] restart your computer and then run Setup again.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: SQL Server, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

Today I tried installing the Developer version of SQL Server 2019 and I got the following error message during installation:

> A previous installation required a reboot of the machine for changes to take effect. To proceed, restart your computer and then run Setup again.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-3.png)

I restarted my computer. I re-ran the installation. Same error.

I checked the setup log for more clues. Here's where the setup log was located on my machine:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-4.png)

`C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20210103_104409\Summary_mjw20_20210103_104409.txt`

And here is an excerpt from the file:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-5.png)

Some quick Googling suggested that **temporarily uninstalling the ODBC Driver** might allow the SQL Server install to complete.

I went into the **Apps & features** application of Windows 10 and searched for ODBC. Sure enough, I had previously installed **Microsoft ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server**. I clicked Uninstall and removed the driver from my computer:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-7.png)

I tried immediately re-running the SQL Server install, but it still failed. 

I rebooted once more. This time the SQL Server install completed successfully:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-9.png)

SQL Server 2019 successfully installed

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-8.png)

All three optional features I had selected Succeeded

Next, I went back into **Apps & features** to see if I would have to reinstall the ODBC Driver. It looks like the SQL Server install handled that for me:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/01/image-11.png)

SQL Server 2019 installer (re-)installed the ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server

### Recap

When I tried to install SQL Server 2019, I received an error message about a pending reboot. Here are the steps I followed to work around the error:

1. Uninstall **Microsoft ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server**
2. Reboot the machine
3. Install SQL Server 2019

Obviously, this will not be the fix for every instance of the "*pending reboot*" error, but it worked for me. Your mileage may vary.