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Error messages when updating or installing Proclaim

Updated ~ minute read

Problem

You may receive one of the following errors when attempting to update or install Proclaim:

  • From ProclaimSetup: "Unable to download a required file"

  • From within Proclaim: "A download or update was found, but did not download or install."

  • ProclaimSetup process hangs without progressing for a significant amount of time (more than 30 minutes).

  • ProclaimSetup ends prematurely and is not visible in Task Manager.

This problem occurs when Proclaim or ProclaimSetup is unable to download resources or the individual installers necessary to install Proclaim.

Tip: Restart Windows
Sometimes this error can appear if the Microsoft's Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) has been temporarily disabled, or otherwise occupied. Shut off and restart your computer to resolve this.

 

Solution 1: Prepare Your System for Installation (Windows Update & Power)

Windows Update can sometimes interfere with other software installations by consuming resources, downloading files, or initiating system restarts. To prevent this, it's best to ensure Windows Update is inactive and your system has full power.

  1. Check and Pause Windows Updates:
    • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (for Windows 10) or Start > Settings > Windows Update (for Windows 11).
    • If updates are actively checking, downloading, or installing, let them complete first. If you need to proceed immediately, look for and click the "Pause updates for 7 days" button, or use "Advanced options" to pause for a longer duration.
    • If a restart is pending, perform the restart first, then recheck Windows Update status.
  2. Ensure Your Computer is Plugged In:
    • Windows' "Battery saver" or similar power-saving settings can disable features that use increased energy, which can prevent downloads from completing.
    • Ensure your laptop is plugged into a power outlet or that Battery Saver is temporarily turned off during the Proclaim installation/update process.

Solution 2: Verify Operating System and CPU

Proclaim requires a 64-bit operating system with an x64-based processor. Proclaim does not support the following system configurations:

  • 64-bit operating system, ARM-based processor
  • 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

To identify your system's operating system and processor type:

  1. Right-click the Windows icon on your taskbar.
  2. Click System.
  3. Under "Device specifications," look for "System type."
  4. The "System type" should state: "64-bit operating system, x64-based processor".

Solution 1: Disable Metered Downloading

Confirm the Internet connection is not metered within Windows.

Windows 10

  • Wi-Fi:
    1. Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
    2. Select Manage known networks.
    3. Choose the Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
    4. Click Properties.
    5. Turn OFF "Set as Metered connection."
  • Ethernet:
    1. Click Start > Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet.
    2. Select the network you’re connected to.
    3. Turn OFF "Set as Metered connection."
  • Cellular:
    1. Click Start > Settings & internet > Cellular.
    2. Turn OFF "Set as Metered connection."

Windows 11

  • Wi-Fi:
    1. Click Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
    2. Select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
    3. Turn OFF "Metered connection."
  • Ethernet:
    1. Click Start > Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet.
    2. Select the network you’re connected to.
    3. Turn OFF "Metered connection."
  • Cellular:
    1. Click Start > Settings & internet > Cellular.
    2. Turn OFF "Metered connection."

Proclaim Troubleshooting: BITS Service

Proclaim relies on Microsoft's Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) to download necessary files for installation and updates. If previous solutions haven't resolved your issue, the BITS service might be damaged, overloaded, or disabled. This guide will help you use the BITSAdmin utility to check its status.

Solution 2: Troubleshoot Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Scenario 1: A List of Jobs Appears

If you see a list of "jobs," BITS is enabled. However, if this list contains more than 50 items, it might be overloaded. Overloaded downloads are often stuck in a "suspended" or "error" state.

  • To view the current BITS download "jobs," ensure you are in an administrator Command Prompt, then type BITSAdmin /list and press Enter.
  • If you observe more than 50 jobs, run the following command to clear them:
    BITSAdmin /reset

After resetting BITS jobs, we recommend checking for and installing all Windows updates via Windows Update. If you encounter errors downloading Windows updates, consult a Windows-certified technician.

Scenario 2: BITSAdmin Hangs or Provides No Output

If, after running bitsadmin /list, the Command Prompt window stops responding, does not accept input, or simply provides no output at all, it indicates a potential problem with the BITS service.

To attempt a fix:

  1. Restart Command Prompt (as administrator, following the methods below).
  2. In the administrator Command Prompt, type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
  3. Restart your computer.
  4. After restarting, open Command Prompt as an administrator again and run BITSAdmin /list one more time.

If there are still no results (hanging or no output), the BITS service may be damaged (possibly by malware) or disabled by your administrator. In this situation, you will need to contact your network administrator, computer manufacturer, or Microsoft for assistance repairing or enabling BITS before you can use Proclaim.

Scenario 3: BITS Generates a Transient Error

If bitsadmin /list returns a "Transient Error," you'll need to obtain detailed BITSAdmin logs.

  1. In the administrator Command Prompt, copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
    bitsadmin /list /verbose > "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\bitsverbose.txt"
  2. The detailed BITSAdmin logs will be saved in your Documents folder as a file named bitsverbose.txt.

Use the contents of this log file to find the specific error number. You can then use this information to investigate the transient error with your system administrator or a Windows technician (not Proclaim support).

Solution 3: Allow Setup through the Firewall

If you use the Windows Firewall, these steps will help you "allow" Proclaim to communicate with the Proclaim servers to update Proclaim or Proclaim resources.

  1. Download ProclaimSetup.exe from the install page here and save it to your Desktop.

  2. Click the Start menu in the bottom-left hand corner of your screen.

  3. Click the gear icon on the left.

  4. In the Find a setting field type firewall.

  5. Select Allow an app through Windows Firewall.

  6. Click Change Settings and Allow another program...

  7. If Proclaim is not listed, click Browse... and locate the Proclaim.exe file.

    Default Location: C:\Users\your name\AppData\local\Proclaim\Proclaim.exe

  8. Click Add.

  9. Proclaim will now appear in the list.

  10. Click "OK" to apply the changes and retry the Proclaim download.

Solution 4: Allow Setup through additional third-party Firewalls

(See Also: Using Proclaim with Security Software)

Third-party security software may vary, but the general principles are the same.

Look for a "Settings", "Options" or "Firewall" menu, then open the "Allowed Programs", "Exceptions" or similar menu to add Proclaim.exe and/or ProclaimSetup.exe to the exceptions list. If you need more specific help with a third-party security software you can contact the creator of the software for more specific instructions on how to allow program exceptions.

Solution 5: Allow ProclaimSetup through a Proxy

If you connect to the internet through a large Campus or Office network, it is possible you connect through a Proxy. Proxy Settings are usually controlled by your Network Administrator. You can enter proxy setting information into the Sign in window for Proclaim on Windows.

  1. Hold the Control key down before and while you open Proclaim.

  2. Keep Control held down until the sign in window appears.

  3. Click Proxy Settings and enter your proxy information.

Solution 5(a): Turn off Windows' Proxy

Even if you don't have a proxy setup by a network administrator, it's possible Windows' proxy has been enabled in Windows. Whether you recall enabling it there or not it is worth checking.

  1. Click the Start menu.

  2. Click the "gear" icon.

  3. Click Network & Internet.

  4. Click Proxy on the left.

  5. Make sure under Manual proxy setup" that Use a proxy server is set to off.

How to Run Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows

You'll need to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges for various troubleshooting steps. Here are a few ways:

Method 1: Using the Start Menu Search (Recommended)

  1. Click the Start button (Windows icon) on your taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. In the search bar, type cmd or Command Prompt.
  3. In the search results, right-click on Command Prompt.
  4. Select Run as administrator from the context menu.
  5. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to make changes to your device.

Method 2: Using the Power User (Win+X) Menu

  1. Press the Windows key + X simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open the Power User Menu (also known as the Quick Link Menu).
  2. From the menu, select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin) (depending on your Windows version and settings, Windows Terminal might replace Command Prompt).
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to make changes to your device.

Method 3: Through Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on File in the top left corner.
  3. Select Run new task.
  4. In the "Create new task" dialog box, type cmd.
  5. Crucially, check the box that says "Create this task with administrative privileges."
  6. Click OK.
  7. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to make changes to your device.

Note: You can verify that Command Prompt is running as administrator if the window title bar says "Administrator: Command Prompt".

Back to BITS Troubleshooting

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