Why renaming works: Windows Installer looks for Config.Msi at a specific path. If the folder is missing (or renamed), it creates a fresh one automatically. The stale .tmp file that was causing the version mismatch no longer exists at the expected path, so the patch proceeds without conflict.

Error code

1328

Windows Installer · Patch Error

Related: 1311 · 1601 · 1722

What it means

Error 1328 is generated by the Windows Installer engine — not by QuickBooks itself. It means the patch installer encountered a file (C:\Config.Msi\PTXXX.tmp) that has already been modified by another process and cannot be updated by the current patch package. This version mismatch causes the entire installation or update to fail and roll back.

Your company data is safe. Error 1328 affects only the QuickBooks program installation. Your company files, payroll data, and financial records are stored separately and are not touched by this error.

Stale .tmp File in Config.Msi

Primary cause — a previous interrupted installation left a partially written .tmp file in C:\Config.Msi. The new patch installer finds this file, detects a version mismatch, and refuses to overwrite it. Renaming the Config.Msi folder removes the conflict.

Interrupted Previous Installation

A previous QuickBooks installation or update was interrupted — by a power cut, a forced restart, or antivirus quarantining a file mid-install. Windows Installer's rollback mechanism wrote partially to Config.Msi but never cleaned up.

Mismatched License / Version

Installing a version of QuickBooks with a different license number than the version currently installed causes the patch to encounter unexpected file versions and fail with 1328. Common after purchasing a new license without fully removing the old installation.

Antivirus Interference

Real-time antivirus protection can quarantine or lock installer files mid-patch — leaving Config.Msi in a corrupted state that produces 1328 on all subsequent installation attempts.

Invalid Windows Registry Entries

A previous incomplete uninstall left orphaned QuickBooks registry entries. Windows Installer reads these during new installations and finds version conflicts that produce 1328.

Corrupted Windows System Files

Damaged Windows system files — particularly those used by Windows Installer (msiexec.exe and related components) — cause installer errors including 1328. The System File Checker (SFC) tool detects and repairs these.

METHOD 1 Rename the Config.Msi Folder Resolves majority of 1328 cases — do this first

Config.Msi is a hidden system folder at the root of your C: drive. Renaming it rather than deleting it is intentional — if something goes wrong, you can rename it back. Windows Installer creates a fresh Config.Msi automatically on the next installation attempt, bypassing the conflicting .tmp file.

METHOD 2 Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool Automated fix for installation component errors

If renaming Config.Msi did not resolve the error, or if 1328 returned after the rename, the QuickBooks installation has deeper component damage. The Install Diagnostic Tool automatically identifies and repairs damaged Microsoft components (MSXML, .NET Framework, C++) that QuickBooks depends on.

METHOD 3 Repair QuickBooks Installation After Config.Msi rename — replaces damaged program files

Once Config.Msi is renamed (Method 1), running a repair install replaces any damaged QuickBooks program files without touching your company data or settings. Run repair only after the Config.Msi rename — repair will fail with 1328 again if the conflicting .tmp file is still present.

METHOD 4 Run System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Windows If Windows system files are damaged

Corrupted Windows system files — particularly Windows Installer components — cause 1328 at the OS level, making it reappear after every QuickBooks fix attempt. SFC scans and repairs Windows system files without affecting applications or data.

METHOD 5 Clean Install QuickBooks Last resort — when all other methods fail

If 1328 persists after renaming Config.Msi, running the Install Diagnostic Tool, and running repair — the installation is damaged beyond what these tools can fix. A clean install removes all QuickBooks files including orphaned registry entries and starts fresh.

What is the Config.Msi folder and why does renaming it fix the error?

Config.Msi is a hidden system folder created by Windows Installer at C:\ to store temporary rollback files during software installations and patches. These .tmp files allow Windows Installer to undo an installation if it fails partway through. When a previous QuickBooks installation was interrupted, it left a .tmp file in Config.Msi that contains an older version of an installer component. When the new patch tries to update that component, it finds the version in Config.Msi does not match what it expects and fails with 1328. Renaming the folder to Config.Msi.old makes it invisible to Windows Installer, which then creates a fresh empty Config.Msi on the next install attempt — no conflicting .tmp file, no version mismatch, no 1328.

How is Error 1328 different from Error 1311?

Both are Windows Installer errors but they point to different problems. Error 1311 means the installer cannot find a source file — the installation media or download file is missing or corrupted. Error 1328 means the installer found a file but it has already been modified by something else and the patch cannot update it. Error 1311 is fixed by providing clean installation media. Error 1328 is fixed by clearing the Config.Msi conflict. If you see both errors together, fix 1328 first (Config.Msi rename) then address 1311 (clean download of the installer).

Will a clean install delete my company file?

No. QuickBooks company files (.QBW) are stored in a separate location from the program installation — typically C:\Users\Public\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files. Uninstalling and reinstalling QuickBooks does not touch this folder. However, always confirm your company file location before performing a clean install (press F2 inside QuickBooks and note the File Information path). As a further precaution, copy the company file to a separate drive or USB before proceeding.

How do I prevent Error 1328 from occurring again?

Three practices prevent most 1328 recurrences. Add the QuickBooks installation folder to your antivirus exclusion list — this prevents antivirus from interrupting a patch mid-write and leaving orphaned .tmp files in Config.Msi. Never interrupt a running QuickBooks update or installation — do not force-restart, close the installer window, or let the computer sleep while an update is in progress. And when uninstalling QuickBooks, always use the Clean Install Tool from QuickBooks Tool Hub rather than just Control Panel → Uninstall, so that orphaned registry entries and folder references are fully removed before reinstalling.