What Does Microsoft Fixit 50123 Actually Do?

I had trouble today installing the two x64 bit Windows 7 updates, and it was suggested that I download and run Microsoft Fixit 50123.

Does anyone know what that Fixit or any Fixit actually does? Would it just be a few registry writes or changes?

I don't know for certain whether it helped but the next attempt with the two updates succeeded.

I have not installed the new .NET updates yet and had my problem with two 64 bit Windows Updates. However, the same Microsoft Fixit seems to be suggested for several different problems.

I'd just like to know what it does and also whether it is reversible. It does not show up in the Control Panel and can probably only be reversed using System Restore.

My Error Code on two failed installations was 80070308.

Failed updates were KB2957509 and KB2800095.

Thanks for the help.

NoelDP said:

The fixit apparently repairs the MSI registration - which means that it checks all the dll files involved with the MSISERVER service and ensures that they and their associated registry entries are correct, as well as checking the registry entries for the service itself.

Thanks very much. Your explanation is a great help.

I may never know if that Fixit actually made any difference. I installed a number of updates in stages and the first group installed without problem. One of the help files said that updates can fail for a variety of reasons including not being able to download the updates at that particular time.

It's a help that Windows Seven somehow identifies specific Fixit programs to try when problems occur. It would be interesting to know how they determine the exact one that is recommended.

I should add that Microsoft Fixit 50123 is the Windows Update Troubleshooter and is referenced on the page where you review your Update History.

There is a link called "Troubleshoot Problems with Installing Updates". If you click on the link you can download the tool which is also referred to as their Automatic Troubleshooter.