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The Windows 10 error 1603 usually appears when you try to install or use the Windows Installer software. This error normally occurs when you try to install the software in an encrypted folder, the drive on which you are trying to install this software is used instead of your system or the Windows Setup program uses the software account … and if this account does not have administrative privileges, it will display the error.

You can fix the error 1603 by following the steps below:

Causes of Windows 10 Error 1603:

You may receive this error message if any of the following conditions are true:

• The folder in which you are trying to install the Windows Installer package is encrypted.
• The drive containing the folder where you are trying to install the Windows Installer package can be accessed as a surrogate drive.
• The system account does not have Full Control permissions on the folder on which you are also trying to install the Windows Installer package. You notice the error message because the Windows Installer service uses the SYSTEM account to install the software.

Methods to Fix Windows 10 Error 1603

Method 1: Check if the App is Already Installed on Your Computer

A previous shortcut for an application may have been lost when upgrading to Windows 10. In this case, the application may already be on your computer and causes an error during reinstallation.

Restore the shortcut by searching for the application. If it is found, hold down the application (or right-click) and select Pin at the beginning. Or uninstall and reinstall the application.

To search for and uninstall apps in Windows 10:

1. Click the Windows icon on bottom-left corner and select Settings.
2. In Settings, select System > Apps & features.
3. Look for the app, if its listed, select the app and right click to Uninstall.

Method 2. Grant Full Control permissions to SYSTEM account

1. Open File Explorer and right-click the drive in which you want to install the Windows Installer package, then click Properties.
2. Click on the Security tab and make sure the Group or user names box contains the SYSTEM user account.

If the SYSTEM user account isn’t there, then add SYSTEM account:

• Click Edit. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.

• Click Add.
• The Select Users or Groups window appears. In Enter the object names to select field, type SYSTEM, and then click Check names and click OK.
• Now, in the Security tab, to change permissions, click Edit. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.
• Select SYSTEM account and make sure Full Control is set to Allow in the Permissions for SYSTEM If not, check-mark the Allow check box and click OK.

• Go back to Security tab, click Advanced.

• Click on Change permissions. If prompted, approve the User Account Control.
• In Permissions tab, select the SYSTEM and click Edit.
• Click Applies to dropdown, select This folder, subfolder and files and then click OK.
• Now, wait for the operating system to apply the permissions.
• Run the Windows Installer package to check error 1603 issue is resolved or not.