Article ID: 2000547 - Last Review: April 11, 2012 - Revision: 6.0

"Error 2203. An internal error occurred." when you install Microsoft Office, Project, or Visio.

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Symptoms

You receive this error when you install Visio, Project or other Office programs on Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

"Error 2203. An internal error occurred"

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Cause

The error occurs when the Office program installation cannot access the default temporary folder in Windows (%temp%). A 3rd party program may restrict access to this folder or there may not be sufficient permissions assigned to it.
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Resolution

To resolve this issue, we recommend you perform a selective startup (also known as clean boot) before you install the Office program. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start Start button, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration utility.
    User Account Control permission If you're prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
  3. Clear the Load Startup Items check box.
  4. Go to the Services tab, click Hide all Microsoft Services, and then click Disable All.
  5. Click OK, and then click Restart.

When the computer restarts, it will be in a selective startup. Now try installing your Office program. Once the installation completes (or if the error still occurs) you will need to get out of the selective startup. To do this:

  1. Click Start Start button, type msconfig.exe, and press ENTER again to the utility again.
  2. On the General tab, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services.
  3. Click OK, and then click Restart.

 

If the error continues to appear, you can change the permissions of the default temporary folder. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, type %temp% in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to see the default temporary folder.
  2. In the address bar (found on the top of the window), click the folder to the left of Temp (it is named Local by default).
  3. In the folder list, right-click the Temp folder, and then choose Properties.
  4. Go to the Security tab, and click Edit.
  5. Click Add.
  6. Type Everyone and click Check Names - Everyone should now be underlined.
  7. Check the box for Full Control under the Allow column, and then keep clicking OK to exit all windows.

Note: If the steps don't work and you have Windows Vista Home edition, you may need to enable the Administrator account. To do this, see the information in the More Information section of this article.

Now try installing your Office program.

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More Information

How to enable the administrator account in Windows Vista Home edition: 

  1. Click the Windows menu button or press the Windows button on the keyboard.
  2. In the Start Search box type CMD and then right-click the CMD.exe item at the top and select Run as Administrator.
  3. At the command prompt in the window, type the command:  NET USER ADMINISTRATOR /ACTIVE:YES and then press Enter.
  4. Type the command: NET USER ADMINISTRATOR <Password> and then press Enter (where <Password> is a password of your choice). 
  5. Log in with the Administator account and repeat the steps in the "Resolution" section. 

 

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Note This is a "FAST PUBLISH" article created directly from within the Microsoft support organization. The information contained herein is provided as-is in response to emerging issues. As a result of the speed in making it available, the materials may include typographical errors and may be revised at any time without notice. See Terms of Use (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151500) for other considerations.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Office Professional 2007
  • Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007
  • Microsoft Office Standard 2007
  • Microsoft Office Small Business 2007
  • Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007
  • Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
  • Microsoft Office Basic 2007
  • Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007
  • Microsoft Office Professional 2010
  • Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010
  • Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010
  • Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Home Use Program
  • Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010
  • Microsoft Office Standard 2010
  • Microsoft Office Professional Academic 2010
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services Media Services 2.0
  • Microsoft Office Starter 2010
  • Microsoft Office Project Standard 2007
  • Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007
  • Microsoft Project Standard 2010
  • Microsoft Project Professional 2010
  • Microsoft Office Visio Standard 2007
  • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2007
  • Microsoft Visio Standard 2010
  • Microsoft Visio Professional 2010
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Keywords: 
KB2000547
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