How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems

When you try to install/uninstall some application/s, you may get warning messages like:
 
"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed"
 
"Windows Installer Service couldn’t be started"
 
"Could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied."

The error messages usually appear after failed installation of MSI Package or Disabled "Windows Installer" service.

 
Method 1
 
 
Unregister Windows Installer, and then reregister Windows Installer. To do this, follow these steps:
 
1. On the "Start" menu, click "Run:.
 
2. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /unreg", and then press ENTER.
 
3. On the "Start" menu, click "Run".
 
4. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /regserver", and then press ENTER.
 
 
Method 2
 
 
Upgrade to Windows Installer version 2 or newer version. To do this, follow these steps:
 
1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer, and then browse to the following Microsoft Web site:
 
     http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads
 
2. In the left pane tree menu, click "Setup and System Administration", and then click "Setup".
 
3. Click "Windows Installer", and then click the appropriate link for your operating system.
 
4. Click "Download" to download and install Windows Installer version 2 or newer version.
 
 
Method 3
 
 
Use Windows Installer CleanUp Utility to uninstall the failed product.
 
Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301
 
 
Method 4
 
 
The Windows Installer service may disabled on the machine.
 
1. Go to "Start" -> "Run" , type "services.msc" and press on "Enter" button.
 
2. Double-click on the service named "Windows Installer".
 
3. Check the value in the "Startup type:"  field. If it's currently set to "Disabled", then this is the

      problem. Change it by selecting "Manual" from the drop-down box.
 
 
Method 5
 
 
Empty user and system "temp" folders.
 
1. Empty "%systemdrive%\temp" folder.
 
2. Empty "%systemdrive%\%windir%\temp" folder.
 
3. Empty "%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Temp".
 
 
Method 6
 
 
Enable Windows Installer Logging and call to PSS support.
 
How to Enable Windows Installer Logging
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=223300
 
How to Enable Windows Installer Logging in Windows XP
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314852
 
 
Method 7
 
 
Check correct DCOM and System permissions:
 
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=319624
 
 
Method 8
 
 
If you just upgrade Windows XP workstation to service pack 2 and the windows installer
 
problem appear only after this upgrade, please review the following knowledgebase:
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;885894
 
 
Method 9
 
 
Check that the installation path length and environment variables length are execute
 
255 characters  
 
 
Method 10
 
 
If you get the message error "Error 1628: Failed to complete script based install"
 
And followed the instruction above and it didn’t resolve the problem and you just create fresh
 
installation packet by using InstallShiled tool, please disable "Cache installation on local machine"
 
option during the installation packet create process.
 
 
Method 11
 
 
Check if there pending installation/s:
 
 
Warning: You should only edit these registry entries if you really know what you're doing. Back up your hard disk first.  

a. Empty "InProgress" Registry Key
 
Check the following registry key:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgress

and clean any entries that you find.
 
b. Empty/Rename "PendingFileRenameOperations" Registry Key:
 
Check the following registry key:

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations

and clean any entries that you find.
 
 
 
Method 12
 
 
Obtain update MSI Package from the software manufacture. 
 
 

The Command-Line Options for the Microsoft Windows Installer Tool Msiexec.exe
 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314881
 
Windows Installer 3.1 is available
 
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=893803
 
Windows Installer Error Messages
 
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_installer_error_messages.asp
 
PRB: "Setup Has Detected That Another Program Requires the Computer to Reboot" Error Message When You Try to Install Visual Studio .NET

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830608