Windows 7 - Cannot download iTunes or cannot install iTunes

Hello:

I opened iTunes today and checked for updates. There was one. I tried to download it, but it quit midways.

I downloaded manually, and tried to install. Got this message:

"The Windows Installer Service could not be accesssed. This can occur if the Windows INstaller is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."

I also had problems installing the latest version of SilverLight (?) a few days ago.

Any tips on what I can do would be appreciated.

Regards,

Hans L

Try these steps: "The Windows Installer service could not be accessed" error message when you try to install

None worked, except that I did not try to repair Windows 7. How would I do that without looking data?

Hans L

Try running SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If necessary use System Recovery Options Command Line: SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

Consider a Repair Install as a last resort before re-install windows 7

Hello:

I did, indeed, run sfc /scannow, twice at that, and had everything repaired. No end to the wrong files. How I could have used the computer at all, I don't understand :-)

However, in the end, a message told me that this was not enough (I guess when I tried up do updates), and that I had to do a Windows repair. I did, and, totally, 9 hours later I have no more updates to do.

On the bright side, everything now seems to be okay. Left to do is to authorize iTunes :-(

Thank you very much, Greg, for your invaluable help. Even though the sfc did not, by itself, help, it lead me in the right direction and to a final solution. Again, thanks!

Hans L

Good work for sticking with it, Hans.

Sometimes just uninstalling factory bloatware like Norton or Office trial can cause unfixable System files requiring a Repair Install.

Funny you should say that, Greg. I had a problem with NIS just a few days ago, and used their removal tool. Reinstalled, and all was well with Norton, but obviously, Windows 7 suffered.

I know what everyone says about Norton, and I normally chuck programs when the company becomes too large for *my* own good (Acronis last), but I have had NIS for so many years, and never had a security problem, so I am leery about switching. Well, I would probably switch if I could just figure out which smaller company provided the best alternative solution. There are soooooo many!!!

Best regards,

Hans L

The experts here almost unanimously recommend MS Security Essentials or Avast 5 with the Windows 7 firewall.

This is a case where the freeware is superior to the paid, since you end up paying for bloat.

Greg, I will not prolong this discussion much, because the subject line is not right for it. Just a few comments and questions:

- just see that Avast is out with version 6

- Avast is not free, is it?

- And, the most important question, which shows my shakiness when it comes to the details of protection:

I have heard it said many times that MS Security Essentials does *not* protect against unauthorized *outgoing* communications, but that most other security apps do. I am not sure if this is right, and I am not sure about the need for such a protection, since you should, theoretically, be protected against malware that would cause such outgoing communications to get into your computer in the first place.

Regards,

Hans L

Hans,

Avast comes with 3 types of AV (free edition, pro edition & internet security). Avast is free for free edition, but not for pro or internet security. Do some testing, install MSE and see if you like it. If you don't like it - switch over to Avast.

Link to Avast ---> avast! Free Antivirus - Download Software for Virus Protection
Link to MSE ---> http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/