Do not launch the software using the standard ols.exe icon. You must always use the custom loader (often named loader.exe or WinOLS_start.exe ) provided with your package.
Select or Windows 7 from the dropdown menu. Click Apply and launch the software. 3. Manually Import the Registry Key
If the application fails to register or throws errors after the restart prompt, use these troubleshooting methods.
To help narrow down the exact cause of your installation loop, let me know: Which of WinOLS are you trying to install? winols install key completed restart app
User Account Control (UAC) sometimes creates a "dummy" file in a hidden AppData folder instead of writing to the actual Program Files directory. WinOLS looks in the main directory upon restart, finds nothing, and asks for the key again. 3. Step-by-Step Fixes to Resolve the Issue
If the message reappears repeatedly or the app fails to start after a restart, check these common issues:
Restart your computer, then launch WinOLS as an administrator. Step 3: Whitelist WinOLS in Windows Defender / Antivirus Do not launch the software using the standard ols
Allow the system to finish any background file-writing tasks. Run as Administrator: Right-click the WinOLS desktop shortcut and select "Run as Administrator"
Resolving the WinOLS "Install Key Completed, Restart App" Loop: A Complete Guide
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Install WinOLS inside a Windows VM (VirtualBox or VMware). Snapshots allow you to roll back before any bad key installation. However, note that some hardware dongles do not forward correctly over USB to VMs.
Security software can sometimes block the "key completion" process because it sees the license verification as suspicious activity. Try disabling your antivirus temporarily or adding a security exception for the WinOLS executable.
Restart the application—again, by right-clicking and selecting . To make this permanent: Right-click the icon and select Properties . Go to the Compatibility tab. Check the box for Run this program as an administrator . Click Apply and OK . 2. Configure Antivirus and Windows Defender Exclusions
: Delete any existing WinOLS desktop shortcuts. Create a new shortcut for loader_ols_32bit on your desktop and use this to open the program moving forward.
: If you are using an older version or a specific loader (like loader_ols_32bit ), ensure the loader is placed in the correct directory. In some legacy cases, the program must be launched strictly through the loader shortcut to recognize the completed key.
