Problems with the Windows installer; programs cannot be installed. Errors when installing programs from the Windows Installer ".msi" package
What kind of files are these that have the msi extension?
This is the installation package file that installs the software and uses the Windows Installer service. Own extension name msi taken from "Microsoft Installer » , as the Windows Installer version used to be called. Such a file contains a complete installation script for the software product, auxiliary components, libraries and, in most cases, all installation files compressed into cab archives. We can discuss for a long time all the advantages and disadvantages of Windows work Installer, but we will still have to accept it “as is”, and we will respond competently and adequately to some operational problems. Errors can occur both in the operation of the service and due to the msi files.
This is what sometimes happens: and then the system asks me to verify whether there really was an installer file that I ran. At first it sounds at least strange. But, reading further the system message, I understand that I am being asked to verify not only the presence of the file itself, but also my rights to access it. As it turned out, it was not me, but Windows Installer was denied access to the file, hence the problem.
This question is not resolved at all in a complicated way. Let's first make sure whether the system has full access to the file, for which in the “Properties” of the file, go to the “Security” tab and find the user “System”.
I’m more than sure that you won’t find it there, so add it yourself - click on “Change”, then on “Add” and enter the name: “System” (or System, in the case of the English version of the system),
then click on “Check names” (the line becomes underlined).
Confirm – OK and check the “Full access” checkbox, confirm again.
Click on “Advanced”, then – “Change permissions” – “Add permissions” »,
inherited from parent objects and we confirm everything three times.
Thus, we got rid of this installer error, and it will no longer bother us during the installation process. Although it would be more reasonable and prudent to add rights full access system to the entire folder with the contents, from which installation usually takes place software(like in my case the “Install” folder).
If your computer has a Windows XP operating system, and “simple” is enabled in “Folder Options” general access to files", you will not see the "Security" tab in the file properties. In this case, you should go to “Folder Options” and uncheck the “Use simple file sharing” checkbox. Also, you risk not finding this tab in different “builds” and “lite versions” of both Windows XP and Windows 7. To access this tab, you will have to boot into Safe mode(Safe Mode) and login under account administrator.
Another problem with Windows Installer can be avoided by running the installation of applications with the antivirus program disabled, with administrator rights, and also in compatibility mode (the “Compatibility” tab in the properties of the msi file, check the corresponding checkbox).
There may also be problems when trying to install a program from removable media, a flash drive, for example (such actions can be prohibited in the settings operating system) – just copy installation file to a convenient location on your hard drive. Another solution to the problem is to create new folder under any name you like and copy it into it installation package, from there and start the installation - it can be useful for errors number 1603, 214 728 7035, 2203 and 1723.
Be sure to ensure that the system has access to the temporary file directories. Open “System Properties” (Win+Pause or in the context menu by right-clicking on the My Computer icon, select the line Properties), in “ Additional options systems",
On the "Advanced" tab, click on the "Environment Variables" button.
We find the folders of temporary variables (they have the words TEMP, TMP in their names), check whether the system has access to them (using the algorithm already described above). I hope you remember, to find out the address of such a folder, you need to double-click on the variable
and by copying specified path, paste the contents of the clipboard into the Explorer bar and navigate to the folder. And at the same time, you can do something useful - clear all temporary folders from their contents.
It would also be the right decision to check for access rights those directories in which you plan to install applications and a directory named Config.
Msi fundamentally system partition. Encryption must be disabled for all the directories indicated above, since the Windows Installer in this case does not have access to them, unlike the user.
Well, of course, an installation error may occur due to a broken installation file (the so-called “broken” file, with a mismatch checksums), in such a situation it is necessary to get hold of a known “working” normal installation file. Most likely, it will make sense to download it from another source or through another mirror.
Cause of Windows Installer Error
Now it’s worth considering a situation where installation of an application is impossible due to errors in the Windows Installer itself. If the installation process does not start, no matter what application you try to install, then most likely the problem is in the installer service itself. May appear system messages about errors that contain relevant phrases, such as: Installer package error or Windows Installer Error. The reason for this could be errors in system registry, so virus attack. Let's start by checking the status of the Windows Installer service and how it is started. For this purpose, in the Run line (Win + R) we enter the command services. msc, and in the console that opens we find the item we are looking for – “ Windows Installer(Windows Installer)".
Let's see if it works and what its startup type is (must be set to Manual). If the service does not work and has a different startup type, then start it (click “Run”, you can click “Restart”), and change the startup type in the properties to "Manual". If the service is started, check the situation and enter the command in the “Run” line msiexec– if everything is OK, then instead of an error you will see a window with the Windows Installer launch parameters and its version number.
I see further elimination of the problem in correcting the damaged system files operating system. To implement this, in the “Run” line, execute the command sfc/ scannow(prepare in advance the disk from which your operating system was installed, it may be needed in this process) and then reboot the computer. In theory, the problem should disappear.
Also this problem appears on the Microsoft website with a solution. Follow this link and launch the native FixIt utility. Follow the instructions provided, this should help resolve the issue.
Another option to eliminate this scourge may be to try to restore the registry settings for the Windows Installer, under which everything works normally. Run the registry editor file from the archive here and confirm the import of new settings (do not forget to change the settings in the registry before
Some programs and drivers in Windows should only be installed with administrator rights. In the case of EXE files, the option to install as administrator is present in the context menu, which is called up by right-clicking on the file. For MSI packages There is no such option, but you can add it through the registry editor.
Instructions
Open the Run dialog via start menu or by pressing the Win+R key combination. In the window that opens, write regedit and press Enter. The Registry Editor will launch. Depending on your User Account Control settings, you may be asked to confirm that you want to launch the editor.
Go to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\shell branch. Click right click mouse on “shell” and in the menu that opens, select the option to create a new partition.
A subsection will be added to the “shell” section. Rename it "runas" (no quotes needed).
In the window on the right, double-click on the “Default” key or once with the right mouse button and select “Change...” In the empty value field, enter “Run as Administrator”. Confirm the changes by pressing the OK button.
Now right-click on “runas” and select the create partition option again. Create a subkey named "command" (without the quotes).
Edit the "Default" key by entering the command "msiexec /i "%1"" in the value field (without the herringbone quotes, but with quotes for %1). Click OK.
The installation of an application or program on a computer is not always successful.
When I try to install software, an error appears on a computer running Windows 7 operating system Windows package Installer.
Reasons for the error
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Before you try to fix the problem, you need to find out the exact cause of its occurrence. The main reason for the error is the restriction of access rights.
In other words, when you run the installation file, the system cannot determine whether the user has sufficient rights to run it.
Often the message “Windows Installer package error” is accompanied by numbers and letters. This data indicates those folders to which the PC user does not have access.
The error may also be caused by the absence of several files in the installation program.
Some files can be destroyed by an antivirus program, mistaking them for malicious ones.
If the application was downloaded from a pirated resource, then it is quite possible that a number of files necessary for correct installation were initially missing.
When installing any application on your computer, you must disable or configure your antivirus program. It is recommended to perform these actions only when there is one hundred percent confidence that the installed file will not harm the computer.
When installing which programs do you most often receive an error message?
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A Windows Installer package error appears when installing files with the MSI extension, as well as programs such as iTunes, and Java emulators.
In a message containing an error text, when Java installation, there is a numeric code - 1721. It reports that there was a failure during the installation of the program.
The reason may be hidden either in the lack of rights to install, or in antivirus program. In order for the installation of files to become feasible, they must be added to the exclusion list in the antivirus settings.
If after this, the error remains the same, the problem lies precisely in the system’s permission to install the file.
Installation iTunes apps, has its own characteristics, which will be discussed below.
Unable to install iTunes - Windows Installer package error
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This error may occur when you try to install iTunes on a computer running the Windows 7 operating system.
To fix it, you can reinstall the operating system. Or, install iTunes correctly.
Correct installation of the program is carried out in the following sequence:
- On your computer keyboard, you need to hold down the “Windows” + “S” keys.
- In the program search window that appears, you need to enter the word “programs and components” and click on the result.
- In the list of programs, you need to find “Apple Software Update”.
- By right-clicking on the program, select the sub-item context menu"Restore". If you click “delete”, then during uninstallation the message “ iTunes error Windows Installer package." Then all you have to do is follow the on-screen prompts.
- After completing all steps to restore the program, it should be uninstalled. To do this, you need to return to the list of programs and click on the “delete” button.
- After uninstalling the program, the computer should be restarted.
- After rebooting, iTunes is installed again.
What to do if the problem persists?
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However, the above actions do not always prevent a malfunction.
If after performing the above operations the error remains, then you should perform the following series of actions:
1 Right-click on the installation file and select the “open with” sub-item.
2 Select the archiver program from the list that appears.
3 In the window that opens, run the fourth file from the top.
4 Close the archive and try installing iTunes again.
5 The program can be easily installed on your computer.
The iTunes program must be downloaded from the official website.
When installing iTunes, the Windows Installer package error crashes. To resolve this issue, you should follow the steps above.
At the same time, you should not install system updates via the Internet. They must be downloaded from a flash drive or disk.
This will prevent Windows Installer package errors from appearing when iTunes installation on Windows 7.
Error when installing files with MSI extension
As mentioned above, the error can occur not only when installing iTunes, but also when trying to install any programs whose installation file has an MSI extension.
Files with the .exe extension are installed without any problems. This is explained by the fact that when working with MSI files, the utility is used to download msiexec.exe.
Its failure to work may be the cause of the error.
If an error occurs during installation, then the reason lies in the installation file. The utility works as it should.
The error message can take two forms:
Before fixing the problem, it is necessary to diagnose the operation of the installation utility.
Diagnostics of the utility for installing files
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Diagnostics of the functioning of the installation utility is carried out as follows:
- Use the key combination “Win” + “R” to open system window, designed to execute commands;
- In the field you need to enter the command services.msc, and confirm with the OK button;
- In the service display window that opens, you need to find the Windows installation service (in in this case, this is Windows 7);
- After double click on the service, the service configuration window should appear. All parameters must be set exactly as shown in the screenshot;
The above problems can be resolved by re-registering the installation utility in the operating room Windows system. The re-registration process is carried out in the following way:
You need to open the command line, it can be opened in several ways: using the keyboard shortcut: “Windows” + “X”, or by launching the command line utility, which is located in the “standard programs” folder.
In addition to these methods, the command line can be launched using the cmd.exe command in the “Run” window.
The following commands fit into the 32-bit version of the operating system:
Commands for 32-bit version
In the 64-bit version of the system, you need to enter:
After completing entering commands, they must be confirmed by pressing Enter keys. After confirmation, the computer should be restarted.
The command line is launched as an administrator. Command line does not just scan the computer for the presence damaged files, but also replaces them with integers. To do this, the PC must be connected to the Internet.
After scanning the files and replacing them has been completed, you should restart your computer. After rebooting, you need to try running the installation file with the MSI extension.
In addition to the utilities built into the system for installer recovery, Microsoft company offers third party utility. It can be downloaded from the official website of the corporation.
It is worth noting that it works on Windows 7, XP, Vista.
1. Click the button Start | Start.
2. In the search field, enter services.msc.
3. In the list of results, right-click on services.msc.
4. In the menu that opens, select Run as administrator | Run as administrator.
5. In the window that opens, scroll down the list of services and find Windows Installer | Windows Installer. Double click on it.
6. On the tab Are common | General in Group State | Service status check if the service is running.
7. If the service is not running, click Launch | Start.
8. Make sure the service is now running.
9. Press the button OK.
Step 2: Re-register Windows Installer.
1. Click the button Start | Start.
2. In the search field, enter MSIEXEC/UNREGISTER and press Enter.
3. Press again Start | Start.
4. In the search field, enter MSIEXEC /REGSERVER and press Enter.
Disclaimer. The next steps involve editing the registry. Be very careful, as incorrectly configuring registry settings can lead to serious problems in the system, including system failure. You change these settings at your own risk.
Step 3: Clean up suspended installation processes.
1. Click the button Start | Start.
2. In the search field, enter the command regedit and press Enter.
3. Go to the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgress. If section InProgress missing, go to step 5.
4. Remove all options in this section. If the section does not contain parameters, go to the next step.
5. Go to the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations. If section PendingFileRenameOperations missing, proceed to the next step.
6. Remove all options in this section. If the section does not contain parameters, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Check access rights.
1. Go to the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer.
2. Right-click on the section title and select the item in the menu that opens Permissions | Permissions.
3. In the dialog box that opens, in the category Groups or users | Group or user names click on the item SYSTEM.
4. In category Group Permissions | Permissions for make sure the system has full control above the section.
After completing all the steps, restart your computer.