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Error Message: 1635 This Patch Package Could Not Be Opened

Article ID: 812490 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to remove Plus! for Windows XP, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:

1635 This patch package could not be opened. Verify that the patch package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer patch package.

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CAUSE

This behavior may occur when the following registry key is damaged:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\DFAD2CEE8555CA04E8C905508C8F018E

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove the damaged registry key, remove and reinstall Plus! for Windows XP, and then remove and reinstall Plus! for Windows XP again.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Remove the Damaged Registry Key

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
In Registry Editor, locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\DFAD2CEE8555CA04E8C905508C8F018E
On the keyboard, press the DELETE key.
When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Quit Registry Editor.

Remove Plus! for Windows XP

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, and then click Remove.
When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the removal process.
Shut down, and then restart your computer.

Reinstall Plus! for Windows XP

Insert the Plus! for Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert the CD to prevent the program from starting automatically.
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
In the left pane, click Add New Programs.
In the right pane, click CD or Floppy.
Follow the instructions that appear on your screen to complete the installation process.

Note You must complete all the steps to remove and reinstall Plus! for Windows XP again.