Can't update Windows Live Mail or uninstall it

[DJSigma]

Hi,

I tried updating Windows Live Mail to the latest version using the web installer, but it kept failing and rolling back the installation. I then downloaded the full offline installer, but the same issue occurred.

I decided to uninstall Windows Live Essentials so I could try and install the latest versions of Mail and Messenger. The uninstall completed (or it seemed to), but while Messenger was gone, Windows Live Mail was still on my computer and functioning normally.

I then tried running the offline installer again. It didn't recognise that Mail was installed (as usually it says "the following programs will be updated: Mail") and the installation of Mail fails every time with one of the following errors: -

Couldn't install these programs: Mail

An unknown error occurred.
Error: 0x00000001
Source: Mail

Or sometimes it's this one: -

Couldn't install these programs: Mail

It looks like another program is preventing the installer from working.
Error: 0x80070643
Source: Mail

What this other program could be, I have no idea. The only apps that run in the background when I boot my PC are PS3 Media Server and Virtual CloneDrive and I've tried disabling those, but it doesn't help.

So I'm now stuck. I can't uninstall Mail because the uninstaller doesn't even recognise it as being installed. I can't update it because the install fails every time. Trying System Restore didn't help, because I end up at square 1 again, with the Mail update failing. I have tried using the repair option when running the Live Essentials uninstaller, but this made no difference.

If anyone could help with this, that would be great, cos I'm stumped. I'm running Windows 7 Professional 32 bit with all of the latest patches and updates installed. Thanks in advance!

 

[Anak]

Hi! DJSigma, welcome to 7F

Click on the Start orb, and in the open search field type "REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL" (without quotation marks) and press Enter.

• When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded" message, click OK.
• Please repeat these steps for each of the following commands:
• REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL
• REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL
• REGSVR32 ATL.DLL
• REGSVR32 WUCLTUX.DLL
• REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL
• REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL
• REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL

You may copy/paste these commands. Report back on how you did.

 

[DJSigma]

Hi, Anak. Thanks for the welcome. Unfortunately, that's one of the potential fixes I came across when scouring the web before I posted on here and it didn't work for me. All of the regsvr32 commands worked, except the one shown in the attachment below.

 

[Anak]

DJS, I did some lookin around, and the REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL should be REGSVR32 WUCLTUX.DLL The last letter is an X, and not an I, try that and see if it succeeds, then go and try the up-dater again.

 

[DJSigma]

That didn't work unfortunately, Anak. The DLL registered, but it made no difference to installing WLM.

 

[Anak]

The 0x80070643 error points to user rights. Use this to make sure rights are applied.

3. Click Start then click Run
4. Give everyone permission to the desktop by typing the following command:
· CACLS “c:\documents and settings\all users\desktop” /t /g everyone:f
5. Give everyone permission to the Program menu by typing the following command:
· Vista/Win7: CACLS “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs” /t /g everyone:f
· XP: CACLS “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs” /t /g everyone:f

From:Installation Error 0x80070643

Then try updating.

Here's from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/974061

 

[DJSigma]

Thanks for the reply. I tried that, but the install failed with this error again: -

Couldn't install these programs: Mail

An unknown error occurred.
Error: 0x00000001
Source: Mail

 

[whs]

i would uninstall the whole Windows Live with Revo (advanced option) and restart from scratch.

 

[Anak]

Thank you whs, I was starting to run out of things to try.

 

[DJSigma]

Revo has made the problem worse. I used it to uninstall Windows Live Essentials, then used the advanced option to remove left over registry entries and files. All traces of WLE seemed to be gone from my system, including Windows Live Mail.

I then rebooted and downloaded the installer for the latest version of WLE, but it gave me this error again: -

Couldn't install these programs: Mail

It looks like another program is preventing the installer from working.
Error: 0x80070643
Source: Mail

So I used System Restore to go back to the restore point created by Revo before it removed WLE. When my computer restarted, the icon for Windows Live Mail was back, but when I start it up, I get this: -

There is no file called Mail.msi on my computer. If I cancel, I then get this: -

When I hit OK on that box, the progress bar moves up some more, then the same thing repeats again. When I click Cancel for the second time, Windows Live Mail starts as normal and seems to work just fine.

Only thing is - The above happens every time I start Windows Live Mail now.

 

[DJSigma]

I have found Mail.msi on my PC. It was in a different folder inside that .cache folder. The problem I have now is I get this error: -

If I use regedit to try and view that key, I get this: -

I'm logged in as an admin and the permissions appear to be set correctly.

I wish I'd just stayed with the older version of the program. Unless I can fix this, the only option now is to format the drive and reinstall Windows, which is a complete pain.

 

[whs]

You must have made some sort of mistake along the way. It worked perfectly well for me the other day.

 

[DJSigma]

You must have made some sort of mistake along the way. It worked perfectly well for me the other day.

I uninstalled the program using Revo (using the advanced option), then tried to reinstall it. When that didn't work, I used the restore point that Revo created, but now that's hosed the previous installation. That's not down to me making mistakes. My only mistake was following your advice. I know you were only trying to help though.

 

[whs]

Do you have an earlier restore point that you can try. And sorry it did not work out "as planned".

 

[Anak]

DJS, try using System Restore to go back to maybe, even before you were having this problem with WLM.

Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Backup and Restore, Click on recover system settings or your computer, then "Open System Restore"
Follow the wizard prompts.

Make sure you have the box checked for "Show more Restore points"

 

[DJSigma]

I've tried 2 earlier restore points, but I still get the same registry error.

How can I not sort the permissions out on a registry key when I'm the system admin? It's just that one key that's causing the issue when WLM starts up, but it won't let me change anything because it says access is denied.

 

[Anak]

See here:
Grant Read Write (Full Control) Permissions on Registry Keys (Fix Cannot Import and Access Denied Error in RegEdit) » My Digital Life

 

[Anak]

Do you have a system repair cd? do you have any back ups?

 

[Anak]

DJS, I've asked for help on one of our other threads, hopefully we can get this sorted out for you.

 

[mckillwashere]

Have you tried to run SFC -Scannow from an elevated command prompt?