Windows AIK (Automated Installation Kit)

I'm currently having the same issue. It initially took me a day and a half just to get the file download to complete but since then I've spent an even longer time trying to get WAIK to install.

I initially tried unsuccessfully to install it on the freshly created Windows 7 machine that I wanted to create an image of. When I was unsuccessful with that, I tried both OS's on my dual-boot system - Windows 7 and XP. On both operating systems I tried with both the disk that I had created as well as a virtual drive that I mounted the image on to.

Both the cd and virtual drive yield the same results: all links on the setup splash screen work except for the "Windows AIK Setup" and the "MSXML 6 SP1 Setup". Both return the OP's error message: "This installation package could not be opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer package."

Yes, I got the file directly from the Microsoft site, it is the Windows 7 version, and it is burned properly as an image to a DVD. We've currently got both an email and a phone call out to our Microsoft rep but I decided that one more search couldn't hurt and I'm glad that I found this thread - if nothing else than to update with a solution if I'm able to find one.

Any thoughts?

I'm attempting to install the Windows 7 version and yes the file was burnt correctly to disk. I'm having the same trouble as MrDinga, I've checked the file properties to ensure that they're not locked, ensured the inbuilt admin account is active, tried running the install through the command prompt through msiexec and selecting the relevant install files and still receive the same message "This installation package could not be opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer package."

I can get the Vista version of AIK to install without any hassle but I'd really rather know why the Windows 7 install is no longer a valid installation package?

I'm having the same problem. I don't see any responses on this thread. I'm trying to follow a MS published MCTS Exam 70-680 book which calls for installing and using the AIK tool. I downloaded and burned the image to DVD per MS instructions. As often happens in Windows world, software doesn't function as expected.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional 64bit HP desktop. OS installed at factory. The AIK dvd doesn't auto launch and the book doesn't include any information on installing besides "Insert the DVD-ROM. On the Welcome screen, click Windows AIK Setup." Typical MS publishing--not much use unless everything works perfectly which is never does. I manually launched the Welcome screen from the StartCD.exe file on the root of the DVD. After clicking on the Windows AIK Setup link, I get the Windows Installer error.

My computer has the Windows Installer v 5.0.7600.16385.

Has anyone found a way to install AIK tool after getting the error?

I fixed the problem by downloading another version of the .iso file from MS. Both images have the same name but they are different sizes. I originally downloaded KB3AIK_EN.iso that is 1.17 GB. That's the one that didn't work. This week I searched again and found a file with the same name but 1.66 GB size. Here's the link: Download details: The Windows® Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows® 7

My resolution also involved a 'new' file. I had our Microsoft rep send a WAIK disk and the file properties were a bit different which made a world of difference. The initial setup screen then functioned as it was supposed to.

Downloading the file again may have produced better results for me as well.