QB Starts installing when other products are run, even by users who don't use Quickbooks.

Hello there, @marketmentoronline.

You can also utilize the Task Manager to end the program when it freezes. This window will help you close the application when unexpected behavior occurs. Once done, you can reboot the machine and finish the installation process.

For the recommended steps to prevent this hurdle when running the program, make sure that you've updated QuickBooks to the latest release.

Here's how to update the release version:

1. Click Help at the top, and then select Update QuickBooks.
2. On the Update QuickBooks window, go to the Update Now tab.
3. Put a checkmark in the box Reset Update box to erase all previous update downloads. This may increase the amount of time needed for the update.
4. Select Get Updates.
5. Restart QuickBooks. When prompted, accept the option to install the new release.

Then you can download the QuickBooks File Doctor to help solve some issues when working with your company file. This tool will help you find errors if there are any when running QuickBooks. Then you can run the Quick Fix my Program to resolve issues.

These steps will help you sort the installation hurdle.

Please don't hesitate to drop a comment if you have more questions. I'm here to help you always. Stay safe!

The question I have is, why is this happening when I'm not running Quickbooks? 

Are you also saying that this type of situation is only where there is an update waiting for Quickbooks itself, that hasn't been applied?

Thanks for adding clarifications to your concern, marketmentoronline.

QuickBooks Desktop automatically installing when running other programs even without using QuickBooks software is an isolated issue. This type of behavior requires a thorough investigation and can be conducted by our QuickBooks Care Support. I suggest calling them so they can take a closer look at this case and come up with a concrete resolution.

Here are the steps to contact support:

1. Click Help at the top menu and select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. In the Have a Question? window, enter a topic.
3. Click Contact us.
4. Hit the Stat Messaging button.
   

Please take note our operating hours for chat support depends on the version of QuickBooks that you're using. Please see this article for more details: Support hours and types.

Keep me posted for additional questions or other concerns. I'd be more than happy to help. Wishing you the best of luck.

OK, for anyone else out there who find this issue, here is the resolution:

1. If you install Quickbooks on a machine, all users need to have access to the installed version of Quickbooks, REGARDLESS of whether they will ever use QB. If you don't do this, it is possible you will run into this issue, for anyone who doesn't have access to the location where QB is installed. I consider this to be a failing of QB design, but it isn't going to change.

2. If you need to have QB setup this way, you can try DENYing access to this key to anyone who doesn't need access to QB:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\882996FDC8DC9B94B9627EA5816983B7

It looks like QB puts entries into the registry that requests Windows to check QB installation of modules every time you open certain Windows or application features, EVEN IF QB isn't being used by that user. Because it is trying to do something with Windows Installer with QB stuff, and the user doesn't have access to the files involved, you can't quit the installer.

Anyway, I'll try to keep this post updated if I find other keys that need to be excluded.

Thank you all.