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HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One Printer Troubleshooting

The Error '%1 is not a valid Win32 application' Displays During Installation

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Issue

When you install the HP product software in Windows, the error message '%1 is not a valid Win32 application ' displays on the computer.

Solution

First, select your operating system.
Follow these steps for the Windows XP operating system.
This error is most commonly caused by a damaged or corrupted installation file. This can occur if you are trying to install from the CD or from a downloaded file. Follow these steps to download the latest software from the HP Web site, instead of installing from the CD, and then check for other issues that can cause the error before reinstalling the software.

Step one: Download the latest software

Important: Do not install the software yet. Rather, download and save it, and make a note of where you save it on your computer.
NOTE:You can also order a new CD from the HP Web site if you would prefer not to download and install the software.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the product on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click Download . This option allows you to install the software at any time after the download completes.
  8. Click Save , and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
  9. Click Save . The software downloads to your computer.
    Hint: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.

Step two: Check for spaces in the username

If there are any spaces in the username that you use to log into your computer, this issue can occur. Follow these steps to check for any spaces in the username, and then resolve the issue.
  1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start ( ), right-click My Computer , and then click Manage . The Computer Management window opens.
  2. In the Name column, look for any spaces in a username.
    Figure 1: Example username with spaces
    • If any usernames include a space , continue to the next step to resolve the issue.
    • If no usernames include a space , browse to the place where you saved the downloaded software earlier in this document, and then double-click the file (.exe) to start the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step three: Download and install 7-zip (free)

7-zip is a free tool used to compress files. Follow these steps to download the tool.
  1. Right-click the following link, and then click Open in New Window .
    Right-click Free 7-zip tool (in English)
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the tool.

Step four: Open the HP software package in 7-zip

  1. Go to the location where you saved the software installation in the previous steps.
  2. Right-click the file (.exe), click 7-zip , and then click Extract files .
  3. In the Extract to box, provide a folder name without any spaces , for example: C:\HP . Make a note of the folder name you provided.
  4. When the extraction completes, go to the folder where you extracted the files.
  5. Click the Setup.exe icon to begin the installation.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Follow these steps for the Windows Vista operating system.
This error is most commonly caused by a damaged or corrupted installation file. This can occur if you are trying to install from the CD or from a downloaded file. Follow these steps to download the latest software from the HP Web site, instead of installing from the CD, and then check for other issues that can cause the error before reinstalling the software.

Step one: Download the latest software

Important: Do not install the software yet. Rather, download and save it, and make a note of where you save it on your computer.
NOTE:You can also order a new CD from the HP Web site if you would prefer not to download and install the software.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the product on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click Download . This option allows you to install the software at any time after the download completes.
  8. Click Save , and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
  9. Click Save . The software downloads to your computer.
    Hint: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.

Step two: Check for spaces in the username

If there are any spaces in the username that you use to log into your computer, this issue can occur. Follow these steps to check for any spaces in the username, and then resolve the issue.
  1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), right-click Computer , and then click Manage . The Computer Management window opens.
  2. In the Name column, look for any spaces in a username.
    Figure 2: Example username with spaces
    • If any usernames include a space , continue to the next step to resolve the issue.
    • If no usernames include a space , browse to the place where you saved the downloaded software earlier in this document, and then double-click the file (.exe) to start the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step three: Download and install 7-zip (free)

7-zip is a free tool used to compress files. Follow these steps to download the tool.
  1. Right-click the following link, and then click Open in New Window .
    Right-click Free 7-zip tool (in English)
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the tool.

Step four: Open the HP software package in 7-zip

  1. Go to the location where you saved the software installation in the previous steps.
  2. Right-click the file (.exe), click 7-zip , and then click Extract files .
  3. In the Extract to box, provide a folder name without any spaces , for example: C:\HP . Make a note of the folder name you provided.
  4. When the extraction completes, go to the folder where you extracted the files.
  5. Click the Setup.exe icon to begin the installation.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.