Rule "Restart computer" failed when installing SQL Server 2008

Solution 1:

.... after installing SQL Server 2008 Express, put the value (might be multiple lines) back into this setting. So copy them somewhere!

Fix:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager is the path. Session Manager is the folder. PendingFileRenameOperations is the setting. Clear the value in that setting.

Common mistake:

You'll notice that there are more folders under the Session Manager folder. Don't look there. Those are sub-folders. Once you've clicked on the Session Manager folder, find the setting on the right.

Solution 2:

I've tried SkipRules option from another answer with SQL Server Express 2014:

• run SQLEXPRWT_x86_ENU.exe just to extract files then close it

• cd SQLEXPRWT_x86_ENU

• setup.exe /ACTION=INSTALL /X86 /SkipRules=RebootRequiredCheck

Then the setup process didn't complain on "Reboot required" rule but still failed at the end with the following messages:

A previous installation required a reboot of the machine for changes to take effect. To proceed, restart your computer and then run Setup again.

One or more affected files have operations pending. You must restart your computer after the setup process is completed.

Then I tried to temporarily delete both registry keys HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update\RebootRequired mentioned in other answers here. After that setup run smoothly and everything worked without reboot.