Thread

1. Can't install Postgres version 18

   Nicolai <nm280192@gmail.com> — 2026-06-12T12:07:44Z

   Hi
   
   I had installed Postgres version 18 earlier on my PC, but I want to start
   over, and remove all of the DB's I have made. I couldn't figure out how to
   do that, so I googled and was told that I should uninstall postgres, stop
   the service in the task manager, and then delete the folder under
   C:/Program Files. AFter that I should restart the PC, and everything should
   be gone, and ready to be reinstalled. I did that, but each time I am trying
   to reinstall it, then it doesn't make any folders under Program Files, so
   the service can't be started. It just give me this warning
   
   [image: image.png]
   
   If I try to reinstall it again, it tells me that it is already installed,
   and asks me if I want to make a change, repair, or uninstallation. I have
   tried to choose that it should install the docs also, and then it creates
   the folder under program files, but it only contains the docs nothing else.
   
   I have tried to restart the PC, reinstall it and tried google how to solve
   this but no solution yet.
   
   I hope you could guide me the right way.
   
   -- 
   Hilsen
   
   Nicolai Friis Madsen
   

2. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com> — 2026-06-12T14:27:19Z

   On 6/12/26 5:07 AM, Nicolai Madsen wrote:
   > Hi
   > 
   > I had installed Postgres version 18 earlier on my PC, but I want to 
   > start over, and remove all of the DB's I have made. I couldn't figure 
   > out how to do that, so I googled and was told that I should uninstall 
   > postgres, stop the service in the task manager, and then delete the 
   > folder under C:/Program Files. AFter that I should restart the PC, and 
   > everything should be gone, and ready to be reinstalled. I did that, but 
   > each time I am trying to reinstall it, then it doesn't make any folders 
   > under Program Files, so the service can't be started. It just give me 
   > this warning
   > 
   > image.png
   > If I try to reinstall it again, it tells me that it is already 
   > installed, and asks me if I want to make a change, repair, or 
   > uninstallation. I have tried to choose that it should install the docs 
   > also, and then it creates the folder under program files, but it only 
   > contains the docs nothing else.
   > 
   > I have tried to restart the PC, reinstall it and tried google how to 
   > solve this but no solution yet.
   > 
   > I hope you could guide me the right way.
   
   1) Assuming you are using the EDB  installer did you follow the 
   instructions here?:
   
   https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/supported-open-source/postgresql/uninstalling/
   
   2) Did you try the repair option on the reinstall?
   
   > 
   > -- 
   > Hilsen
   > 
   > Nicolai Friis Madsen
   
   
   -- 
   Adrian Klaver
   adrian.klaver@aklaver.com
   
   
   
   

3. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Nicolai <nm280192@gmail.com> — 2026-06-12T16:59:50Z

   Hi
   
   I did not use the edb to remove it, I used the installer file and then select remove. After that I delete the whole folder under c:/program file. Then a restart of the pc.
   
   I have tried repair many times
   
   
   Hilsen
   
   Nicolai Friis
   
   > Den 12. jun. 2026 kl. 16.27 skrev Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com>:
   > 
   > On 6/12/26 5:07 AM, Nicolai Madsen wrote:
   >> Hi
   >> I had installed Postgres version 18 earlier on my PC, but I want to start over, and remove all of the DB's I have made. I couldn't figure out how to do that, so I googled and was told that I should uninstall postgres, stop the service in the task manager, and then delete the folder under C:/Program Files. AFter that I should restart the PC, and everything should be gone, and ready to be reinstalled. I did that, but each time I am trying to reinstall it, then it doesn't make any folders under Program Files, so the service can't be started. It just give me this warning
   >> image.png
   >> If I try to reinstall it again, it tells me that it is already installed, and asks me if I want to make a change, repair, or uninstallation. I have tried to choose that it should install the docs also, and then it creates the folder under program files, but it only contains the docs nothing else.
   >> I have tried to restart the PC, reinstall it and tried google how to solve this but no solution yet.
   >> I hope you could guide me the right way.
   > 
   > 1) Assuming you are using the EDB  installer did you follow the instructions here?:
   > 
   > https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/supported-open-source/postgresql/uninstalling/
   > 
   > 2) Did you try the repair option on the reinstall?
   > 
   >> --
   >> Hilsen
   >> Nicolai Friis Madsen
   > 
   > 
   > --
   > Adrian Klaver
   > adrian.klaver@aklaver.com
   
   
   
   

4. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com> — 2026-06-12T17:10:27Z

   
   On 6/12/26 9:59 AM, Nicolai wrote:
   > Hi
   > 
   > I did not use the edb to remove it, I used the installer file and then select remove. After that I delete the whole folder under c:/program file. Then a restart of the pc.
   
   1) Confirm that you actually installed using the EDB installer.
   
   2) Did you actually read the information at the link?
   
   3) I'm going to say "I delete the whole folder under c:/program file." 
   is not helping.
   
   > 
   > I have tried repair many times
   > 
   > 
   > Hilsen
   > 
   > Nicolai Friis
   > 
   >> Den 12. jun. 2026 kl. 16.27 skrev Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com>:
   >>
   >> On 6/12/26 5:07 AM, Nicolai Madsen wrote:
   >>> Hi
   >>> I had installed Postgres version 18 earlier on my PC, but I want to start over, and remove all of the DB's I have made. I couldn't figure out how to do that, so I googled and was told that I should uninstall postgres, stop the service in the task manager, and then delete the folder under C:/Program Files. AFter that I should restart the PC, and everything should be gone, and ready to be reinstalled. I did that, but each time I am trying to reinstall it, then it doesn't make any folders under Program Files, so the service can't be started. It just give me this warning
   >>> image.png
   >>> If I try to reinstall it again, it tells me that it is already installed, and asks me if I want to make a change, repair, or uninstallation. I have tried to choose that it should install the docs also, and then it creates the folder under program files, but it only contains the docs nothing else.
   >>> I have tried to restart the PC, reinstall it and tried google how to solve this but no solution yet.
   >>> I hope you could guide me the right way.
   >>
   >> 1) Assuming you are using the EDB  installer did you follow the instructions here?:
   >>
   >> https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/supported-open-source/postgresql/uninstalling/
   >>
   >> 2) Did you try the repair option on the reinstall?
   >>
   >>> --
   >>> Hilsen
   >>> Nicolai Friis Madsen
   >>
   >>
   >> --
   >> Adrian Klaver
   >> adrian.klaver@aklaver.com
   
   
   
   
   

5. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com> — 2026-06-12T21:14:47Z

   On 6/12/26 9:59 AM, Nicolai wrote:
   > Hi
   > 
   > I did not use the edb to remove it, I used the installer file and then select remove. After that I delete the whole folder under c:/program file. Then a restart of the pc.
   > 
   > I have tried repair many times
   
   Starting fresh(no Postgres install) on a Windows 10 machine I did:
   
   1) Download EDB installer for Postgres 18.4.
   
   2) Ran installer.
   
   3) Verified server was running via pgAdmin4.
   
   4) To uninstall followed instructions from here:
   
   https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/supported-open-source/postgresql/uninstalling/
   
   5) Ran installer again and verified server was running.
   
   Not sure what the issue is you are having, though I suspect an 
   incomplete install that has has left stuff behind in the Registry.
   
   I would suggest raising an issue an here:
   
   https://github.com/EnterpriseDB/edb-installers/issues
   
   
    From your original post:
   
   '... remove all of the DB's I have made'
   
   Unless this was some very large number I would think it would be easier 
   to just DROP DATABASE each one, then going through an uninstall/install 
   cycle.
   
   > 
   > 
   > Hilsen
   > 
   > Nicolai Friis
   > 
   
   -- 
   Adrian Klaver
   adrian.klaver@aklaver.com
   
   
   
   

6. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Jan Karremans <karremans.ja@gmail.com> — 2026-06-14T10:12:52Z

   I would simply recommend not to run Postgres on Windows. You are mixing two distinctly different approaches to IT-systems. In that sense Linux is so much more akin to the world Postgres lives in.
   
   Cheers,
   Jan
   
   Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone
   
   > Op 13 jun 2026 om 23:23 heeft Nicolai <nm280192@gmail.com> het volgende geschreven:
   > 
   > Hi
   > 
   > I did not use the edb to remove it, I used the installer file and then select remove. After that I delete the whole folder under c:/program file. Then a restart of the pc.
   > 
   > I have tried repair many times
   > 
   > 
   > Hilsen
   > 
   > Nicolai Friis
   > 
   >>> Den 12. jun. 2026 kl. 16.27 skrev Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@aklaver.com>:
   >>> 
   >>> On 6/12/26 5:07 AM, Nicolai Madsen wrote:
   >>> Hi
   >>> I had installed Postgres version 18 earlier on my PC, but I want to start over, and remove all of the DB's I have made. I couldn't figure out how to do that, so I googled and was told that I should uninstall postgres, stop the service in the task manager, and then delete the folder under C:/Program Files. AFter that I should restart the PC, and everything should be gone, and ready to be reinstalled. I did that, but each time I am trying to reinstall it, then it doesn't make any folders under Program Files, so the service can't be started. It just give me this warning
   >>> image.png
   >>> If I try to reinstall it again, it tells me that it is already installed, and asks me if I want to make a change, repair, or uninstallation. I have tried to choose that it should install the docs also, and then it creates the folder under program files, but it only contains the docs nothing else.
   >>> I have tried to restart the PC, reinstall it and tried google how to solve this but no solution yet.
   >>> I hope you could guide me the right way.
   >> 
   >> 1) Assuming you are using the EDB  installer did you follow the instructions here?:
   >> 
   >> https://www.enterprisedb.com/docs/supported-open-source/postgresql/uninstalling/
   >> 
   >> 2) Did you try the repair option on the reinstall?
   >> 
   >>> --
   >>> Hilsen
   >>> Nicolai Friis Madsen
   >> 
   >> 
   >> --
   >> Adrian Klaver
   >> adrian.klaver@aklaver.com
   > 
   > 
   
   
   
   

7. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Anthony DeBarros <anthonymdebarros@gmail.com> — 2026-06-15T12:45:11Z

    Hello,
   
   On Jun 14, 2026 at 6:12:52 AM, Jan Karremans <karremans.ja@gmail.com> wrote:
   
   > I would simply recommend not to run Postgres on Windows. You are mixing
   > two distinctly different approaches to IT-systems. In that sense Linux is
   > so much more akin to the world Postgres lives in.
   >
   > Cheers,
   > Jan
   >
   >
   >
   Absolutely true. However, it’s good that EDB has provided a Windows
   installer for PostgreSQL because nearly 2/3 of personal computer users run
   Windows, and many, many people who are setting out to learn database
   programming run on it.
   
   That said, I have two observations, both related to experiences as author
   of a book about learning SQL:
   
   
      1. I have installed and uninstalled PostgreSQL and pgAdmin on Windows
      dozens of times and had no issues at all as long as I used the official
      installer/uninstaller. However, the uninstaller does not completely remove
      all traces of the application, so for a fully clean uninstall you must
      remove registry entries, delete left-behind application directories, etc.
   
      2. Using PostgreSQL under Windows is far more complicated than running
      it on macOS, where you can install PostgresApp and get up and running in
      just minutes with very little to fiddle with. And that app is getting
      better all the time with support for Postgres extensions. I steer everyone
      towards Macs these days.
   
   
   Cheers,
   
   Anthony DeBarros
   

8. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Arbol One <arbolone@hotmail.ca> — 2026-06-15T13:01:29Z

   I would also strongly recommend Linux over MacOS or WinOS. Having said that, I have also uninstalled PosgreSQL on my WinOS machine, so I find your advice proper and accurate.
   
   Verily, with every difficulty there is relief (94:6)
   ________________________________
   From: Anthony DeBarros <anthonymdebarros@gmail.com>
   Sent: June 15, 2026 8:45 AM
   To: pgsql-general@postgresql.org <pgsql-general@postgresql.org>
   Subject: Re: Can't install Postgres version 18
   
   Hello,
   
   On Jun 14, 2026 at 6:12:52 AM, Jan Karremans <karremans.ja@gmail.com<mailto:karremans.ja@gmail.com>> wrote:
   I would simply recommend not to run Postgres on Windows. You are mixing two distinctly different approaches to IT-systems. In that sense Linux is so much more akin to the world Postgres lives in.
   
   Cheers,
   Jan
   
   
   
   Absolutely true. However, it’s good that EDB has provided a Windows installer for PostgreSQL because nearly 2/3 of personal computer users run Windows, and many, many people who are setting out to learn database programming run on it.
   
   That said, I have two observations, both related to experiences as author of a book about learning SQL:
   
   
     1.  I have installed and uninstalled PostgreSQL and pgAdmin on Windows dozens of times and had no issues at all as long as I used the official installer/uninstaller. However, the uninstaller does not completely remove all traces of the application, so for a fully clean uninstall you must remove registry entries, delete left-behind application directories, etc.
   
     2.  Using PostgreSQL under Windows is far more complicated than running it on macOS, where you can install PostgresApp and get up and running in just minutes with very little to fiddle with. And that app is getting better all the time with support for Postgres extensions. I steer everyone towards Macs these days.
   
   Cheers,
   
   Anthony DeBarros
   
   
   

9. Re: Can't install Postgres version 18

   Nick Canale <nick.canale@gmail.com> — 2026-06-15T13:11:34Z

   I would recommend either installing it on WSL or through docker or both. If
   you're not familiar with WSL or docker this would be a great opportunity to
   learn about them!
   
   On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 9:01 AM Arbol One <arbolone@hotmail.ca> wrote:
   
   > I would also strongly recommend Linux over MacOS or WinOS. Having said
   > that, I have also uninstalled PosgreSQL on my WinOS machine, so I find your
   > advice proper and accurate.
   >
   > Verily, with every difficulty there is relief (94:6)
   > ------------------------------
   > *From:* Anthony DeBarros <anthonymdebarros@gmail.com>
   > *Sent:* June 15, 2026 8:45 AM
   > *To:* pgsql-general@postgresql.org <pgsql-general@postgresql.org>
   > *Subject:* Re: Can't install Postgres version 18
   >
   > Hello,
   >
   > On Jun 14, 2026 at 6:12:52 AM, Jan Karremans <karremans.ja@gmail.com>
   > wrote:
   >
   > I would simply recommend not to run Postgres on Windows. You are mixing
   > two distinctly different approaches to IT-systems. In that sense Linux is
   > so much more akin to the world Postgres lives in.
   >
   > Cheers,
   > Jan
   >
   >
   >
   > Absolutely true. However, it’s good that EDB has provided a Windows
   > installer for PostgreSQL because nearly 2/3 of personal computer users run
   > Windows, and many, many people who are setting out to learn database
   > programming run on it.
   >
   > That said, I have two observations, both related to experiences as author
   > of a book about learning SQL:
   >
   >
   >    1. I have installed and uninstalled PostgreSQL and pgAdmin on Windows
   >    dozens of times and had no issues at all as long as I used the official
   >    installer/uninstaller. However, the uninstaller does not completely remove
   >    all traces of the application, so for a fully clean uninstall you must
   >    remove registry entries, delete left-behind application directories, etc.
   >
   >    2. Using PostgreSQL under Windows is far more complicated than running
   >    it on macOS, where you can install PostgresApp and get up and running in
   >    just minutes with very little to fiddle with. And that app is getting
   >    better all the time with support for Postgres extensions. I steer everyone
   >    towards Macs these days.
   >
   >
   > Cheers,
   >
   > Anthony DeBarros
   >
   >
   >