missing C:\Windows\Installer folder

[dleonseng]

I first noticed it when icons for my MS office 2007 documents became the generic ones. I tried to change the icon using the software Types, where it shows that the icon files are directed to the Windows\Installer folder, WHICH IS MISSING from my computer.

I can't even reinstall MS Office as the setup will crash before it finishes loading. Uninstalling keeps failing.

Any ideas?

 

[sup3rsprt]

The Windows installer folder is hidden.

When Office gets hosed, it usually takes a full reinstall of the OS to fix it. Because Office is so deeply integrated into Windows, files folders and registry settings are everywhere... Often times reinstalling Windows is actually easier than trying to sort through it.

 

[Flavius]

Folder C:\Windows\Installer is only used by particular applications like Office,Nero,Adobe and many other. This folder is not integral part of system however in practice losing this folder cause many problems with many 3p software of course.

Here you are how to manualy remove Office:How to manually uninstall the 2007 Office system if you cannot uninstall it by using the "Add or Remove Programs" feature

But from my experience I know MS didn't say all and even you will do what this link says you still have remains after Office i.e. many NET Framework strings,to remove them try install NET Framework SDK http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fe6f2099-b7b4-4f47-a244-c96d69c35dec&displaylang=en (although I don't know it is possible install it on Win7,if not you have to use Orca to modify installator),you can also try this tool Aaron Stebner's WebLog : Details about setup for the .NET Framework 2.0 configuration tool

You have to find strings which addressed to "12.0" (Office version) but of course you have to be careful.

Another solution:If you know when it happend use System Restore

 

[stereo]

It's recomended to move this folder to another ( HDD ) partition, instead of C - SSD ?
Thank you