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Error Message: Why do I See the Message "Error opening file for writing:" When installing SnapGene for Windows?

  • Updated

Updated 24 June 2025. Recently we have identified that a small number of Windows SnapGene users are seeing this error when updating from within SnapGene. It appears that third-party software may be preventing updating, resulting in this error. If this error occurs for you then please follow the instructions below to update SnapGene.

The following error message, along with others may appear:

  1. If you attempt to manually run the SnapGene installer executable when a copy of SnapGene is still running on your computer, or
  2. If you attempt to update from within SnapGene and third party software prevents SnapGene files from being closed and replaced during the update process.

To fix this issue:

  1. Click Abort in the Error dialog and cancel installation.
  2. Exit SnapGene if it is running. Start the Task Manager and force quit SnapGene if it is listed as still running.
  3. Go to C:\Program Files and move the enclosed SnapGene folder to the Bin.
  4. Restart your computer.
  5. Download the latest SnapGene installer executable for Windows from here – Latest SnapGene Installer for Windows.
  6. Run the SnapGene installer to install SnapGene.
  7. Start SnapGene.

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