How to fix Error 1316 The specified account already exists in Windows 10

 You are trying to install a certain program and you get the error message “ Error 1316. The account specified already exists ” on your Windows 10 PC. It can be frustrating to the core, especially when you want to install something important related to your work.

Fortunately, however, this error can be fixed and you can continue installing the program without any problems. Let's see how.

Method 1: Using Registry Editor

Step 1: On your keyboard, press Windows key + R at the same time to open the Run command . Now type regedit in the search box and press Enter .

Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

Under the Add or Remove Programs key , look for the program you want to install. For example, we're trying to install Techsmith Snagit , but we can't. Therefore we select the entry for Techsmith , right click on it and click on Delete button.

Step 3: However, if you cannot find the program under the Software key , navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node

Or just locate the WOW6432Node entry under the Software key and click on it to expand it. Now look for the program, select it, right-click it and click Delete .

Now you can finish installing your program. However, if that doesn't work, try the second method.

Method 2: Through Services

Step 1: Go to the Start button on your desktop and type services . Click on the result.

Step 2: In the Services window, go to the Name columns on the right side and look for Windows Installer and double-click it.

Step 3: In the Windows Installer Properties dialog box, check the Service Status section . If it says Stopped , click the Start button to start the service.

Press the OK button to save changes and exit.

You can now easily finish installing the program. However, if the problem persists, try the third method.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Go to the Start button on your desktop and type command prompt in the search box. Right-click the result and choose Run as administrator .

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, run the following command one by one and press Enter each time :

MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER
MSIEXEC /REGSERVER

This should solve your problem and the error should be gone. If you're still having a problem, follow the fourth method.

Method 4: By running the program as an administrator

Step 1: Go to the program's setup file on the desktop and right-click on it. Now select Run as administrator .

For example, we selected Snagit 's setup file on the desktop, right-clicked it and selected Run as administrator . This allows you to complete the installation of the program easily.

That's all. The error should no longer appear and you should be able to install the program comfortably.