Windows 7: “The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed"

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Windows Installer 5.0.7600.16385

Hello everyone, I just joined this forum in desperate need for a solution. I recently started receiving this error message whenever I try to install a *.msi program. I have tried every single fix I've found on the net with no luck, these include:

- Unregistering/registering msiexec (in normal and safe mode)
- Exporting [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] registry value from a working OS and import it in mine.
- Copying MSI files (such as msiexec.exe, msi.dll, msisip.dll and others) from other Windows 7 OS and replacing them with mine.
- System restore to a previous point.

And many others I don't remember right now.

Unfortunately there's no Windows Installer 5.0 available to download and try reinstallation.

Reinstalling the OS isn't really an alternative right now.

I attached my [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] key in case someone wishes to analyze it.

I would greatly appreciate any other suggestion.

Thanks in advance!

P.S.: Any additional information you need just ask for it, I will provide it as soon as possible.

I went further on my research and found a way to enable debug logging for Windows Installer. So I did that and here I brought the results. I don't have the enough knowledge to interpret and get something out of this, but I'm sure it must be useful.

I tried to install Win7codecs (just picked a random MSI installer) and got the usual error, here's the log:

=== Verbose logging started: 01-01-2010 1:32:52 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 5.00.7600.00 Calling process: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSIEXEC.EXE ===
MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:347]: Machine policy value 'DisableUserInstalls' is 0
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: Verifying package --> 'C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi' against software restriction policy
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: Note: 1: 2262 2: DigitalSignature 3: -2147287038
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is not digitally signed
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level.
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: Failed to connect to server. Error: 0x80080005

MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: MainEngineThread is returning 1601
=== Verbose logging stopped: 01-01-2010 1:33:22 ===

Hope this contributes.

Hi and welcome

Just for chuckes go iinto event viewer (eventvwr) and go to windows log>application tab look for the error from when you ran the installer. whats the event ID and source code?

Ken J

got an idea, if it is event ID 1000 and source 100.

Hi Chaurigol, Welcome to SF,

I have seen this problem most un-registering and re-registering Windows Installer used to solve the problem.
There is a Microsoft KB How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems it for XP but it should work with Windows 7 as well.
Also you could try to Run the System Integrity Checker.

Start > cmd > Right click on cmd and Run as administrator
Then type SFC/ SCANNOW

Hope this helps

Hi zigzag3143, first of all thanks for your reply.

Here's the information you requested:

Event ID: 1015
Source: MsiInstaller

Thanks for your suggestion Capt.Jack Sparrow, but unfortunately I've tried SFC several times with no positive results

What about the Microsoft KB .. Will that helps ??

I have visited and tried the solutions posted in that KB also:

Method 1: First one I tried, didn't work.
Method 2: Version 5.0 not available for download.
Method 3: Can't install the utility, since it's a MSI file too...
Method 4: Installer service is set to Manual as it should be.
Method 5: Tried emptying Temp folder too, no luck.
Method 6: I just posted the debug log on one of my previous posts, hope someone can make something useful out of it.
Method 7: Not applicable to Windows 7, but checked some of the options listed there and they're OK.
Method 8: Not applicable.
Method 9: Didn't understand, but doesn't seem very useful at all.
Method 10: Not applicable.
Method 11: Key not present on my registry.
Method 12: Not possible as there's no MSI 5.0 to attempt a reinstallation.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, hope to receive new ones and point out the correct fix.

According to Log it show about permissions which Windows 7 is quiet famous for that. I found something that might helpful for you Ask the Performance Team : Troubleshooting a Windows Installer Issue

Also can try to Login under Windows Build -in Administrator login under that account then try to install it

Thanks, I read the full article and checked the registry permissions. It all seems fine, System and Admin have full control over the registry.

Regarding Process Monitor, I downloaded and opened it, applied the filter in order to monitor only msiexec.exe activity and tried to install the *.msi once again. I saved the log file in case you or somebody else wants to have a look at it.

Appart from that, can't think of anything else to extract from that article.

Thanks once again for your concern.

Edit: Just tried enabling the Administrator account and executing the *.msi from it, but no luck at all, same error message.