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FIX: Source file not found on Windows 10/11 at apps install

10 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Computer errors can occur once in a while, and someerrorssuch asSource file not foundcan occur whileinstallingcertain applications on yourWindows 10PC.

Thiserrorcan prevent you frominstallingnew applications, therefore it’s important that you know how to properly fix it.

How do I fixsource file not founderrors?

1. Common source file not found errors

1.1 Check yourinstallationmedia for damage

Sometimes thiserroroccurs when you’reinstallinga new application from aDVDor a CD media. Apparently, thiserrorcan occur if yourinstallation mediais damaged, therefore be sure to clean it with a soft, lint-free cloth.

If you have more than one DVD drive, be sure that theinstallationmedia is inserted in the correct drive.

1.2 Disable yourantivirus software

Certain antivirus tools can interfere with theinstallationprocess and causeSource file not founderrorto appear. If you’re experiencing thiserroron your computer, we strongly suggest that you temporarily disable yourantivirusand try to run the setup again.

If that doesn’t work, you might have to temporarily uninstall yourantivirusand check if that solves the problem.

1.3 Install the software from your hard drive

If you’re getting thiserrorwhileinstallingsoftware from theinstallationmedia, you might want to considerinstallingit from your hard drive. To do that, you just need to copy the contents of theinstallationmedia and run it from yourhard drive.

Simply open theinstallationmedia and select all files. Create a new folder on your PC and paste all the files from theinstallationmedia. Remove theinstallationmedia from your computer and start the setup process from your hard drive.

Keep in mind that this method doesn’t always work, but it might work for some applications.

1.4Uninstallyour DVD drive driver

If you can’t installsoftwarefrom your DVD drive, it might be because the driver is corrupt. One way to fix this problem is to uninstall your DVD driver and let Windows 10 install it again.

When your PC restarts the default driver should be installed. Try to start theinstallationagain and check if the problem is resolved.

1.5 Be sure to extract the setup file from the archive

Many applications are distributed in archives because it’s the most convenient way to transfer large amount of files while providing some form of compression. However, this problem can occur if you try to start theinstallationdirectly from the archive without extracting your files.

Even though this is a more convenient way to install applications, many applications can’t be installed without extracting their files first. To properly install the application that comes in an archive you need to open the archive and extract all files to your PC.

After doing that, navigate to the extraction folder and run the setup file from there.

1.6 Unregister and reregister WindowsInstaller

Many installations rely onWindows Installerservice in order to run, and if there’s any problem with WindowsInstaller, you’ll have to unregister and reregister it.

1.7 Use Registry Editor

Sometimes you can fixSource not founderrorsimply by making few changes to your registry. We have to mention that modifying your registry comes with certain risks, therefore we advise you to back up your registry before making any changes to it.

1.8 Delete theinstallationfolder and disable your antivirus

Users reported thiserrorwhile installing Maya software, and according to them, the problem can be fixed by deleting theinstallationfolder and disabling yourantivirus.

After disabling the antivirus and recreating theinstallationfolder, thesoftwareshould be installed without anyerrors.

1.9 Clear the Temp folder

Applications will sometimes moveinstallationfiles to the Temp folder on your PC. However, those files can become corrupt and prevent theinstallationfrom running.

If you’re havingSource file not founderror, you might be able to fix it by deleting everything from the Temp folder. After you delete all files from both Temp folders, try to start theinstallationagain.

1.10 Disable User Account Control

User Account Controlis a security feature designed to notify you whenever you make a change to your system. This feature can sometimes protect you from malicioussoftware, but in most cases, users disable it because of its frequent notifications.

In fact, User Account Control can interfere with theinstallationprocess and causeSource file not founderrorto appear. After disabling User Account Control, restart your PC and check if theerroris resolved.

11 Run the setup as administrator

In some cases, thiserrorcan occur if you don’t have theadministratorprivileges, but you can fix this problem with just a couple of clicks. In addition to running the setup as administrator, users are also suggesting to disable yourantivirusand check if that solves the issue.

1.12 Install the latestWindows updates

Windows updatesoften fix many hardware and software errors, and if you’re having this problem on your PC, we strongly suggest that you check if you have the latest updates installed.

Simply navigate to theWindows Updatesection and download the latest updates for your PC. After installing the updates, the issue should be resolved.

2. Source file not foundAsus Smart Gesture

2.1 Extract the setup file to a different location

Users reported that thiserroroccurs when you extractAsus Smart Gesturefiles to your PC. This problem most likely occurs because the path to the setup file exceeds the limit set by Windows.

Since you can’t change the limit, you’ll have to change the path to the setup file. The simplest way to do that is to extract theinstallerfiles to theC:directory and run the setup file from there.

After doing that, you should be able to installAsusSmart Gesture without any problems.

2.2 Make sure that you’re using the correct setup file

Users reported this issue while trying to reinstallAsusSmart Gesture. According to them, they deleted the previousinstallation, but while trying to install thesoftware, they got theSource file not founderror.

According to users, to fix this problem be sure to run theSetupfile and not the Setup TP driver file. After starting the correct setup process, theerrorshould be resolved.

3. Source file not founddisk1.cab error

3.1 Move theinstallationto a different partition

Users reported thiserrorwhile installingLeague of Legends, and according to them, they managed to fix the problem simply by moving theirinstallationto a different partition. To do this, simply change theinstallationdirectory from C to D while installing the game and the problem should be resolved.

3.2 Move the setup file to the root directory

Source file not founddisk1.caberrorcan appear while installing SourceTree software on your PC. According to users, they managed to fix this issue simply by moving the setup file to the root directory of any hard drive partition.

Root directory is C:, D:, etc., so you can move it to any root directory and try to install it from there. Although this solution applies to SourceTree software, it can also be used for any other application.

3.3 Change the values in your registry

One way to fix thiserroris to make changes to your registry. Modifying the registry comes with certain risks, therefore be sure to create a backup of your registry before proceeding.

3.4 Copy allinstallationfiles to your hard drive

If you’re installing the application from your hard drive, be sure to copy all files from theinstallationmedia to your hard drive. If you have an application that requires two CDs forinstallation, be sure to copy files from both of them to your hard drive and try to run the setup.

Some users are also suggesting to copy files from both CDs to the same directory before trying to start theinstallation.

4. Source file not founderror in Maya

4.1 Copy the file and change its extension

According to users, you can fix this problem simply by finding the file mentioned in theerror messageand changing its extension. It seems that the file is present in the directory, but instead of having the .dll extension, it has .bin extension for some reason.

4.2 Remove the failedinstallationand disable yourantivirus

According to users, bothNortonandAvastcan cause this problem to appear on your PC. To fix this problem you need to disable Norton or Avast and delete the failedinstallation.

After that, try to install thesoftwareagain. Users reported problems with Super Anti-Spyware tool as well, therefore be sure to disable it if you have it installed.

By following these steps, you should be able to get rid of any Windows 10 errors caused by faulty or missing source files.

If you know of any other solution to this issue that we may have missed out on, let us know by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

FIX: Source file not found on Windows 10/11 at apps install#

How do I fixsource file not founderrors?#

1. Common source file not found errors#

2. Source file not foundAsus Smart Gesture#

3. Source file not founddisk1.cab error#

4. Source file not founderror in Maya#