How I Solved Error 2203

a9fc · 12 Feb 2010

(For Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit. Should be the same for other versions)

Yes.

It's the Pain In The A$$ problem

I think I managed to solve it!

Apparently, you must have Permissions set for 'SYSTEM' in 2 Temp Folders.

They are:

C:\Windows\Installer

AND

C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Temp

It seems that not having set the right permissions set in any of these folders will not allow microsoft installer to read the files, even though they are already inside.

So, they work in tandem:

I had an error that stated that it was the file in C:\Windows\Installer that could not be read.

Well, I checked and full control was given to 'SYSTEM' in the installer folder, but the problem was fixed after I gave 'SYSTEM' permissions for the C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Temp

How to add permissions:

1. Right click folder - Properties - Security tab

2. In 'Group or usernames', you should have 1. Your account name and 2. SYSTEM

3. If SYSTEM is missing, click 'Edit...', then 'Add...'

4. In 'Enter object names to select', key in 'SYSTEM' then click OK

5. Click on 'SYSTEM' and make sure 'Full Control' is checked in the permissions window

If you can't find the folders

You'll need to show them hidden folders.

1. Open any window...IE 'My Computer'
2. Click Organise -> Folder and Search Options -> View -> Check 'Show hidden files, folders, and drives'

So, try this before you do a complete reinstall windows 7. I actually did a complete reinstall, only to have the same problem again after 2 weeks....I wonder what causes it.

Anyway, hope I helped.

--------------------

Update 31/8/10:

1. You may have to do this again after certain updates have been applied for windows. You'd think the patches are created to solve problems like this lol.

2. Use this to solve other problems where the installer just quits for no reason. I believe it also helps if you have problems uninstalling certain programs. I've used this to solve the following:

a. Games for Windows Live installation
b. Nvidia driver '..The NVIDIA Control Panel could not be installed..'
c. Installation for Folding@home

Do add a list of problems that you have solved in this thread so that others may find it. Thanks

whs · 12 Feb 2010

Very good observation. Thanks for sharing.

solowin · 20 Feb 2010

Thank you for the solution. I've tried others for the past two weeks with no luck and ended up just creating a new admin account to work around the 2203 error. But your solution allowed me to install and I'm very appreciative!

wornout99 · 11 Mar 2010

Thank you for this FIX. I started getting this error a few days ago, installing Microsoft Updates, and have been running Win 7 Ultimate for about 4 months now. Of course last week I was messing around with the permissions so it was a self inflicted wound. Thanks again, we are now back in the saddle installing updates.

BigMac98 · 09 Apr 2010

I can't find c:\windows\installer or c:\users\'username'\appdata folders

BigMac98 · 09 Apr 2010

I figured out that I needed to unhide my hidden folders and files, then I was able to apply your solution here, thanks so much! However I do find it quite annoying that you even have to do this when you are the owner of the system, as the administrator, etc. No wonder all my friends love their Macs!

a9fc · 11 Apr 2010

BigMac98 said:

I figured out that I needed to unhide my hidden folders and files, then I was able to apply your solution here, thanks so much! However I do find it quite annoying that you even have to do this when you are the owner of the system, as the administrator, etc. No wonder all my friends love their Macs!

Looks like you figured it out before we could reply you ^^

Yea, that's my main disappointment for windows 7.

That, and the fact that Internet Explorer in Win7 seem to have problems 'hanging on' to internet connectivity.

It's a pretty dumb problem, needing to fix adminitrative permissions and having the system tell you that you need permission when YOU are the adminitrator.

asithdha · 26 Aug 2010

its sort out with ur guidance.thankx

Apparently, you must have Permissions set for

in 2 Temp Folders.

They are:

C:\Windows\Installer

AND

C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Temphttp://cdn.sevenforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

marcux · 22 Jan 2011

Thank You!
I had the same problem and following your suggestions, I solved it.
Thank You again!

Win7 SemiNewbie · 02 Feb 2011

I have been through many websites looking for the “0x8*******” error, specifically in my case the error 0x80070643, and then using their online "MrFixIt" which would always result in error 2203. And trying to use the control panel to reinstall .Net would result in error 2203.

So their insistence that other anti virus programs would interfere was wrong.
All the links to special anti virus uninstall programs were pointless.

Just this one correction to their misconfiguration of the Win7 installer as used by the MSE upgrade allowed this upgrade to completely install.

This is the screencapture of my successful Microsoft Security Essentials Upgrade after correcting the error 2203 by simply changing the
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Temp
folder permissions to System:

http://i51.tinypic.com/2gtb0v7.jpg

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

How I Solved Error 2203

How I Solved Error 2203

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Solved!

MS Security Essentials Upgrade finally worked