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

Click here

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