Windows SDK 10.0.22621.5040 Causes Install Failure (Error 1714) but Cannot Be Uninstalled via Control Panel

[minghua-123]

Describe the bug

Problem Description

Error Code: 1714
Message: "The newer version of Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit - Windows 10.0.22621.5040 cannot be installed because an older version is still present. You must first remove the older version before continuing."

I am unable to install or update Visual Studio due to this error. The system prompts me to uninstall the older version of the Windows Software Development Kit (Windows 10.0.22621.5040), but the package does not appear in "Apps & Features" (Windows 11 Settings) or "Programs and Features" (Control Panel), making it impossible to uninstall through normal means.

This appears to be a Windows Installer (MSI) consistency issue where the SDK is registered in the MSI database but is not visible in the UI, preventing both installation of new components and removal of the old one.

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Environment

• OS: Windows 11 (Version 10.0.22621)
• Visual Studio Version: [e.g., Visual Studio 2022, 17.9.x]
• SDK Attempting to Install: Windows SDK 10.0.22621.x
• SDK Causing Conflict: Windows Software Development Kit - Windows 10.0.22621.5040 (Microsoft Corporation)
• Installation Method: Visual Studio Installer / Standalone SDK installer

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Steps to Reproduce

1. Launch Visual Studio Installer.
2. Attempt to modify or install a workload that requires Windows SDK 10.0.22621.x.
3. Installation fails with Error 1714.
4. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps or Control Panel → Programs and Features.
5. Search for "Windows Software Development Kit" or "10.0.22621".
6. The problematic version (10.0.22621.5040) is not listed, so it cannot be uninstalled.

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Expected Behavior

• The conflicting SDK should be visible in "Apps & Features" so it can be uninstalled.
• Or, the installer should handle the conflict automatically.

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Actual Behavior

• Installer fails with MSI error 1714.
• Cannot uninstall the older SDK because it is missing from the system's app list.
• Standard uninstallation methods (Control Panel, Settings) are ineffective.

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Troubleshooting Attempts

• Restarted the machine.
• Used Visual Studio Installer's "Repair" function.
• Searched for the SDK in Programs and Features — not found.
• Ran Windows Installer cleanup tools (e.g., msizap is deprecated and not recommended).
• Attempted to use wmic product to list and uninstall — SDK not listed.
• Tried using PowerShell Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product — slow and incomplete results.

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Request

Please provide:

1. A supported method to safely remove this orphaned MSI entry.
2. Or, fix the Visual Studio/SDK installer to handle such conflicts gracefully.
3. Documentation or tooling to detect and resolve hidden/ghost MSI installations.

This issue blocks Visual Studio setup and is a recurring problem for developers using Windows SDKs.

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Related Issues

• https://github.com/microsoft/Windows-Dev-Tools/issues/xxx (if known)
• https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/... (optional link to DevCom)

Steps to reproduce the bug

无

LOG

安装发生错误。

可以通过以下方法排查包故障:

1. 使用下面的搜索 URL 搜索每个包故障的解决方案
2. 修改对受影响工作负载或组件的选择，然后重试安装
3. 从计算机中删除产品，然后重新安装

如果已在开发者社区上报告问题，则可在此处找到解决方案或解决方法。如果尚未报告此问题，我们鼓励你创建新问题，以便其他开发人员能够找到解决方案或解决方法。可以使用“提供反馈”按钮从右上角的 Visual Studio 安装程序中创建新问题。

================================================================================

未能安装包“Win11SDK_10.0.26100,version=10.0.26100.11,productarch=neutral”。
搜索 URL
https://aka.ms/VSSetupErrorReports?q=PackageId=Win11SDK_10.0.26100;PackageAction=Install;ReturnCode=1714
详细信息
已执行命令: "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages\Win11SDK_10.0.26100,version=10.0.26100.11,productarch=neutral\winsdkinstaller.exe" SetupExe=winsdksetup.exe LogFile="C:\Users\wmh21\AppData\Local\Temp\dd_setup_20250902110900_455_Win11SDK_10.0.26100.log" SetupLogFolder=windowssdk CeipSetting="on" ProgramFilesOrSharedDriveSdkPath="C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10" SetupParameters="/features OptionId.AvrfExternal OptionId.UWPManaged OptionId.WindowsSoftwareLogoToolkit OptionId.SigningTools OptionId.UWPLocalized OptionId.UWPCPP OptionId.DesktopCPPx64 OptionId.DesktopCPPx86 OptionID.DesktopCPPARM64 OptionId.MSIInstallTools /quiet /norestart"
返回代码: 1714
返回代码详细信息: 未登记任何协议序列。
日志
C:\Users\wmh21\AppData\Local\Temp\dd_setup_20250902110900_455_Win11SDK_10.0.26100.log
受影响的工作负载
使用 C++ 的桌面开发 (Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.NativeDesktop,version=17.14.36331.10,productarch=x64)
受影响的组件
Windows 11 SDK (10.0.26100.4654) (Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows11SDK.26100,version=17.14.36414.12)

cannot delete the old msi

The file 'F:lnstallerslWindows SDK for Windows Store Apps
Libs-x86 en-us.msi' is not a valid installation package for the
product Windows SDK for Windows Store Apps Libs. Try to fino
the installation package Windows SDK for Windows Store
Apps Libs-x86_en-us.msi' in a folder from which you can install
dowsStoreAppsLibs

[ssparach]

/external

[microsoft-github-policy-service]

Hi @@minghua-123, thank you for your contribution! This issue appears to be external to the WindowsAppSDK. To help route it appropriately, please submit your feedback via the Feedback Hub by pressing [Windows] + [F], and include detailed information and diagnostics. We appreciate your help in improving the platform!