Can't Install Garmin Express 7.1.4 on Windows 10 20H2

Works perfectly well on my Win 10.  Try a full uninstall then reinstall it.

I'm sure it works perfectly well on thousands of Windows 10 PCs. It just doesn't work on mine. Uninstall and reinstall results in the same error.

In that case call Product Support to get detailed help

Carl,

i just had a Geeks 2U tech here for same issue.

i have had garmin express for years but now won't launch.

Windows says it is incompatible program.

the latest update of windows 20H2 had made some significant changes and it seems Garmin express needs to make some updates to remain compatible.

since i need express to update, when it happens, then will be an uninstall and install, but no point till then.

as people download the Windows update, this will happen more.

Garmin tech are hopefully on this already and update coming soon.

Chris

From what I can see when searching this error message, this is caused by the security feature "Controlled folder access," which is supposed to prevent malware from overwriting your personal files. On my Win 10 20H2 computers it is set to "off." This might explain why I did not have any problems with installing Garmin Express.

You might want to check yours to see if it is set to "on." If it is, then turn it off, then retry installing Garmin Express. After installation, change it back to "on." This feature was introduced in 2018 (ver 1803), but maybe got turned on during the upgrade to 20H2.

If still no joy, contact Garmin Support.

Thanks. Controlled folder access is off, so that's not the solution on my PC.

Windows says it is incompatible program

In Windows 10 check 'Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Choose where to get apps'. If this set to 'The Microsoft Store only (recommended)' then independently downloaded installers such as the one for Garmin Express will be blocked. (I think this is the default setting on fresh installs of 20H2 and possibly 20H1 too for consumer editions.)

Trying to run the Garmin Express installer with the above setting gives me the following:

Good thought. Certainly something that CarlW should check. Although, seems like the error message is indicating that the download has already occurred and the installation process has started, since the folder creation process would be during the installation of Garmin Express.

I'm leaning towards either an admin rights issue or some anti-virus software installed on the system. Certain AV products are designed to block creating folders in the Start Menu. Would require temporarily disabling the AV software (usually, in the system tray), attempting to complete the installation, then turning the AV software back on.

I'm also wondering if Garmin Express actually got installed. You don't necessarily need it in the Start Menu to run it. That's just a location for the shortcut to the express.exe file, which on my computer (64-bit Windows) is located in

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\Express\express.exe"

Then if still an issue call Garmin Support

seilogramp said:

I'm leaning towards either an admin rights issue

I can duplicate this error message by corrupting the security permissions for the 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows' folder so that the installer could not write to this folder and any of its subfolders. After restoring the corrupted permissions to their correct settings I was able to install Garmin Express without any errors.

(Before corrupting the permissions I had successfully installed and uninstalled Garmin Express.)

seilogramp said:

I'm also wondering if Garmin Express actually got installed.

Yes and no. The Garmin Express application is already installed by the time the error message appears, but once 'OK' is clicked the installer performs a rollback and the files are removed.

(Test was performed using a VirtualBox virtual machine running Windows 10 Pro N 20H2 build 19042.576.)

Thanks for your suggestions gentlemen.

It doesn't seem to be a rights issue. I can use file explorer to browse the contents of the ...Start Menu folder. I can create and delete folders in the Start Menu folder. I can create and delete files in the Start Menu folder and its subfolders.