Windows Installer - can't install ANY msi package

I had a similar problem with installer in 64 bit Win 7. Tried all the fixes and nothing worked. There was no MachineThrottling in my registry.

The problem turned out to be that Installer Service was "disabled". No idea how that happened nor if the fix will be permanent, but it works now.

1. Type "services" in the start box then Enter

2. Scroll down to "Windows Installer"

3. Right click & check status and startup type

4. If the service is "disabled" change it to "automatic" & "Apply"

5. After startup type changes click "Start"

6. Service should be set to "Automatic" startup and status should be "started"

7. click "OK"

Installer should now work and should be turned on automatically when Windows starts from now on.

... go figure ...

SIW2 said:

Good find espressoman,

navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions
rename MachineThrottling to _MachineThrottling

Solved the issue for me.

Found nothing in the folder.....it was empty!

Got any other ideas, this is my problem too

Suibemah

Windows Installer Crash : Windows 7 Miscellaneous : Windows 7 Beta : Microsoft TechNet Forums

Please post back the results.

SIW2[/QUOTE]

Im having the same issues with not being able to run any applications, google earth , adobe update, itunes etc. Did a clean install with windows 7 about 8 weeks ago which didnt fix it and after trying all the regedit options mentioned on here still no joy. Done a windows 7 upgrade today and still no joy and now tried the _MachineThrottling fix but dont have anything to relable

sidneysides said:

Windows Installer crashes any time i try to install an msi. Get the message 'windows installer has stopped working'. I think the version is version 5.0 in Windows 7, but can't download this from anywher to see if reinstalling it helps. Tried to install the old 4.5 version but it won't let me. Help!

I thought these older builds had started shutting down???

After trying a lot of strategies described in here, I fixed the problem by deleting (or removing, zipping) the folder "windows-old" (from the former installed windows version). Would be interesting to know, if this was just a side effect or a major solution.

Ludwisch

I am having this problem too: when I insert the DVD with Microsoft office 2007 enterprise on its runs the autorun and gets to the screen saying "gathering necessary files" but never gets any further and ends up being closed down. I have tried all the fixes listed on here but there is no machinethrottling label and the others don't work. There has never been anything other than Microsoft Office 2010 starter pack on my laptop which I uninstalled to install office 2007.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm on Windows 7 64 bit and going slightly mad! Got my new laptop this morning and now can't use it

Please please help!

Mel

There are a number of things you can do to fix this problem. Don't rush to reinstall just yet

Have you checked to see if the Windows Installer service has been disabled? You can check in one of two ways, depending on your preference.

1. Start > Search Box > Services.msc . Look for the service titled Windows Installer and make sure that it has not been disabled. You might also want to check and see the security context that it is running under. you would do this by clicking on the LogOn tab and making sure that Local System radio button is checked.

2. The other way is to open a command line window and type: SC Query MSIServer . If you get any kind of error back, then there might be a problem with the service.

3. You can also unregister and re-register the windows installer service:

Open a CMD Prompt/ Or the start Box, and type msiexec /unreg. Wait about ten seconds and then type msiexec /regserver. Now trying installing or uninstalling your application again.

Make sure to empty all your temp files (system and IE) as well.
and you can also try running SFC/ScanNow

osgrimmy said:

Hey fellas,

Well after completing basically every step and fix you guys have listed here I still had no joy on resolving my problem. So I did some poking around on the internet and in Windows 7 and I finally resolved my MSI install issues. Actually it wasn't just related to MSI it was other installations as well like MSN Messenger ect..

So what was causing my installs from getting the 2203 error and failing?
- My temp director folder!!!

In windows 7 my TMP and TEMP directories are set by default to:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp

Not sure but some programs had issues using this temp directory maybe due to it's location or rights I'm honestly not sure. But what I did to resolve this was change the locaton of my Temp Directory. Then I changed the two Values TMP and TEMP to point to the new location C:\Temp.

Now I can install any program including MSI's. Finally this has been an issue for over a month and has been driving me crazy. Anyway here is the step by step instructions if you choose to try it. (Im using Windows 7 btw so this might be different)

1- Create folder C:\Temp
2- Navigate to Control Panel/User Accounts/Change My Environment Variables
3- Change the value of both TMP and TEMP to C:\Temp (Default is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp)

That's it you don't even need to reboot. Hopefully this fixes your problem!

Best of luck,
Grimmy

my 5 cent for this post, this resolve my problem with msi installation.

Try this also for this issue:

Orbital Shark said:

I would suggest you to unregister and re-register Windows installer, and check if it helps:

1. On the "Start" menu, Type Run in the search bar and hit enter.
2. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /unreg", and then press ENTER.
3. On the "Start" menu, Type” Run” in the search bar and hit enter.
4. In the "Open" box, type "msiexec /regserver", and then press ENTER.

I would also suggest you to run System File Checker and see if it helps, here are the steps:

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
2. Click Continue or supply Administrator credentials if prompted.
3. In the Command Prompt window type the following, and press Enter

sfc /scannow