Ive run across this issue several times, and with several installs. the story always goes like this, Cannot install X software because the system is waiting to reboot. and obviously a reboot doesn’t clear it or i wouldn’t be posting about it. The software that prompted me to post this was SQL server 2008.
Heres how to fix the error. we need to open up Regedit by clicking start (then run) and typing “regedit” and hitting enter. Now navigate to the following key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
\PendingFileRenameOperations
There will probably be several files listed in there, just edit the key and delete them all. Then restart the installation of whatever software it was, and it should get past that step!
