Installer freezes on 'Processing: Closing PowerToys application' and eventually aborts

[stephencoombs]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.97.1

Installation method

GitHub

Area(s) with issue?

Installer

Steps to reproduce

1. Downloaded the installer from GitHub
2. Ran the PowerToysSetup-0.97.1-x64.exe
3. During installation, the process freezes on "Processing: Closing PowerToys application" and never completes.
4. Cancelling the install produces the attached log.

✔️ Expected Behavior

Install should complete successfully without freezing when closing PowerToys application.

❌ Actual Behavior

Installer remains stuck at 'Processing: Closing PowerToys application'. The install does not proceed unless cancelled.

Additional Information

OS version: Windows 10 Build 26200
Running as admin: Yes
User Installation
Log file excerpt:
[6530:67C0][2026-02-03T20:37:32]e000: Error 0x80070642: Bootstrapper application aborted during package process progress.
[6530:67C0][2026-02-03T20:37:32]e000: Error 0x80070642: Failed to run EXE process
[6530:67C0][2026-02-03T20:37:32]e000: Error 0x80070642: Failed to execute EXE package.
[35D0:484C][2026-02-03T20:37:32]e000: Error 0x80070642: Failed to configure per-machine EXE package.

Other Software

No response