Many users are getting “Installer has failed. There was an error while installing the application. Check the setup log for more information and contact the author” error while trying to install WhatsApp desktop app on Windows 10 as well as Windows 8.
WhatsApp has just launched the desktop version of WhatsApp app for Windows 10/8 and Mac operating systems. With this, the popular messaging app is now officially available on every popular mobile and computer operating system.
Installation has failed. There was an error while installing the application
Millions of PC users are excited about this new launch from WhatsApp and trying to install WhatsApp desktop on Windows 10. As said before, many users are getting “Installation has failed. There was an error while installing the application. Check the setup log for more information and contact the author” error upon launching the WhatsApp setup file.
If you’re also getting the above error after double-clicking on the WhatsApp for Windows desktop setup file, it’s likely because you’re trying to install WhatsApp desktop app on 32-bit or x86 type of Windows 10/8.
WhatsApp is currently available for x64 Windows only
Yes, as of now, WhatsApp desktop app is currently available for 64-bit or x64 type of Windows 10 and Windows 8 only. In other words, the setup file of WhatsApp doesn’t support 32-bit or x86 type of Windows 10/8 right now.
Those of you’re getting the installer error while attempting to install WhatsApp desktop on Windows 10/8, please confirm that you’re running 64-bit or x64 type Windows by referring to our check if you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 guide.
While there is no information available about 32-bit support, we expect WhatsApp release a x86/32-bit compatible installer in coming weeks. No app developer can afford to ignore 32-bit or x86 type of Windows as a large percentage of PC users still running 32-bit or x86 type of Windows.
And if you’re running 32-bit Windows 10/8, do remember that you can’t perform a direct upgrade from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit. One needs to perform a clean install only.
What’s the solution?
Well, if you’re running 32-bit Windows 10/8, you can use the official WhatsApp for Web in your web browser to use WhatsApp on your Windows desktop. Please refer to our how to use WhatsApp Web on Firefox/Chrome and how to setup WhatsApp Web on Edge browser in Windows 10 for detailed instructions.