Performing SQL Server Installation or Update SQL Server version prompted “Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation”

This was due to SQL Server Setup process can't enumerate the following registry subkey:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Microsoft Edge

Method 1 for “Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation”:

If you're running 64-bit Windows 10, version 20H2 (19042.xxx), you must install the Edge browser version 86.0.622.56 or a later version that includes the fix for this problem.

To see the version number in Edge, select Settings > About Edge

Following guides will manually update the Edge browser

1. Start Microsoft Edge
2. Select the Settings (ellipsis) button in the top-right corner
3. Select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge
4. On some older Edge version might need to select Settings > select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge

5. Edge will automatically check for updates
6. To complete the Edge update installation, select Restart
7. Once updates completed, Edge will show “Microsoft Edge is up to date.”

Method 2 for “Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation”:

Following guides recommended for those with Registry knowledge only

Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly

Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur

Following steps is to add the Full Control permission to the Administrators account

1. Start Registry Editor by select Start, type regedit, and then select Registry Editor in the Search results

2. Right-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Microsoft Edge subkey, and select Permissions
3. In the Permissions window that opens, select Advanced

4. Select Change next to the listed owner
5. In the Select User, Computer, Service Account, or Group window, type the name of your Windows user account (or your email address if you have a Microsoft account) in the Enter the object name to select box, and then select Check Names to validate the account name

6. Select OK 2 times
     
7. In the Permissions window, select the Users group, and then select the Allow check box for the Full Control permissions

8. Select OK to return to the main Registry Editor window
9. Close Registry Editor window and restart PC

Find out more about Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2012

Find out more about SQL Server 2012 Express installation