When installing any program with the .msi extension, it writes about a problem with the Windiws Installer service, and when starting this service, it writes: The service could not be started on the local computer... Error 2: Cannot be found specified file. Or this service is not in the list.
To restore service Windows Installer follow these guidelines.
How to repair Windows Installer
Check your computer for viruses
The first thing you need to do is make sure that your computer is not infected with viruses. To do this, we recommend checking your computer antivirus program installed on the system. And also download the treatment utility from dr.web (dr.web cureit!®) and check again with this utility.
Check what startup type is set for the Windows Installer service
To do this, open Control Panel - Administration - Services. Find the Windows Installer service in the central part. Right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu. See what startup type is set. Change it to automatic, restart your computer and check whether the problem recurs or not.
If the service is not on the list, or the problem remains, read below.
Does the windows installer program itself start?
If the problem repeats or the startup type was already set to automatic, then check whether the windows installer program itself starts. To do this, click Start - Run - Type msiexec and press enter. This should open a window in which the version of windows installer and available commands will be written.
Files required for Windows Installer to function may be damaged.
To check system files for integrity, open the command line as an administrator (click Start - All Programs - Accessories - Right-click on Command Prompt - Run as administrator) and in command line run the command
Sfc /scannow
Restart your computer and check whether the error persists or not.
If this does not help, open a command prompt as an administrator and enter the following commands in sequence, pressing enter after each one:
Msiexec /unreg msiexec /regserver net stop msiserver regsvr32 /u /s %windir%\System32\msi.dll regsvr32 /u /s %windir%\System32\msihnd.dll regsvr32 /u /s %windir%\System32\msisip. dll regsvr32 /s %windir%\System32\msi.dll regsvr32 /s %windir%\System32\msihnd.dll regsvr32 /s %windir%\System32\msisip.dll net start msiserver
Restart your computer and check Windows operation Installer.
If the problem persists, compare the contents of the registry branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver with the same branch on another computer and, if necessary, correct the values on the problem computer.
Errors when installing applications from files with the .msi extension are one of the manifestations of problems with the Windows Installer service (in the Russian version - Windows installer). Users of all versions of this OS, with the exception of the earliest ones, encounter a similar phenomenon. Until now, the problem with the installer is one of the common reasons why users decide to reinstall the system. Let's try to figure out how to avoid this. The reason that Windows Installer does not work may be the following:
- viral infection, and removing the virus does not always solve the problem;
- incorrect installation Windows updates;
- a malfunction of the security software when, instead of blocking one suspicious msi file, the installation service is blocked entirely;
- changes in computer security policies;
- damage system files or the registry for reasons not related to viruses (removal of installer components, unqualified editing of the registry, crooked software, malfunction hard drive and so on.).
Checking the integrity of the Windows Installer structure
The Windows Installer consists of the following components:- file C:\Windows\System32\Msiexec.exe - directly by the installer application itself;
- file C:\Windows\System32\msi.dll - Windows Installer library;
- Msiserver service, whose settings are stored in the registry key.
If the files are missing, copy them from another system of the same version or from the installation disk. If a registry key is missing or damaged, also move it from working system. To do this, on a working computer, run the registry editor (C:\Windows\Regedt.exe) and find the above section. 
Expand by right click context menu msserver folder and click "Export". Save the file in .reg format and transfer it to the problem machine. 
Double-click this file and agree to add data to the registry. Restart your computer. 
If the Msiserver service still does not start, check that the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) service on which it depends is running. 
You can re-register the installer files and restart the service using a set of special commands on the command line. For convenience, you can create batch file: Paste the action set into notepad and save it as a .bat extension. To launch a file, simply double-click on it. For the changes to take effect, click on the desktop and press F5. Checking security settings and access rights
Windows Installer may not work because it is blocked by security software or operating system no necessary rights. First, let's look at the software. If you have an antivirus installed, temporarily disable it. Each product has its own methods of disabling, but most often this is done through the context menu of the antivirus icon in the system tray. Now let's take care of the rights. Open the context menu of Msiexec.exe and expand its properties.
View the list of groups and users on the Security tab. Among them must be “System” and the “Trustedinstaller” service, and the latter must have full access to the file and be its owner. The system must have "read" and "read and execute" permissions. 
The Trustedinstaller service was first introduced in Windows Vista, so in Windows XP full access must be granted to the system. Everything written below applies to versions released later than XP. To check who owns Msiexec.exe, click the "Advanced" button on the same tab. 
In the next window, expand the "Owner" tab. Set the owner to the Trustedinstaller service if something else is specified as the owner. If it is not in the "Change owner to" list, click the "Change" button, and then click "Other users and groups." 
Enter Trustedinstaller in the "Enter names..." field, click "Check names" and OK. Return to the previous window. On the "Effective Permissions" tab, assign the necessary rights to Trustedinstaller and the system. 
The msi.dll library should have exactly the same security settings. Now let's check if there are any restrictions for the "System" user to access the following: - system drive (usually drive C);
- temporary folders (these are C:\Windows\Temp and C:\Users\Current_User\AppData\Temp);
- folder C:\Config.Msi;
- the folder where the msi file from which you are trying to install the program is located.
In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:
It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.
What does this mean?
We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.
This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.
Why is the software program still available?
Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possible false positives.
What is a false positive?
It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.
It’s highly probable this software program is malicious or contains unwanted bundled software.
Why is this software program no longer available in our Catalog?
Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are likely to be real positives.
We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.
Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.
Today, the vast majority of people use the operating room Windows system. Naturally, many different applications are also produced for it, ranging from the simplest programs to such as .
But one day terrible things may happen: the application will be in unknown format refuse to install. What to do? In fact, the solution to this problem is simple, you just need to download the Windows installer for Windows 7 x32 and install it on your computer. Today you can find out what this program is and finally solve the problem with its installation.
What kind of program is this?
Windows Installer (or in Russian the Windows 7 installer) is free application, thanks to which you can install/configure or remove a computer program with an .msi extension. Using this installer, you can always install any program, as well as change some parameters. On our website you can download and install it completely free of charge.
Main reasons why this service may not work
So, if when you try to install a program, the message “Cannot access the Windows Installer service” pops up, then you just need to enable or download it.
In general, this installer comes with the operating system, but it happens that it may not work for the following reasons:
- Access to the Windows 7 Installer service is prohibited because you are logged in account on behalf of the guest.
How to start the installer service?
If the computer is yours, then you will just need to log in as an administrator (main user). If not yours, contact the administrator-manager or person responsible for computers.
- The installer service has been disabled
If a message pops up with similar text, then this problem can be solved like this:
Solution:
1) Open the Start menu and click Run. Or simply press the Win+R key combination. In the window that appears, enter msc and click OK:
2) In the window that appears, find the installer, right-click on it and click run.
3) This service simply does not exist or is outdated. Therefore, in this case, you just need to download it and install it on your computer. Windows Installer is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10.
Download
Download this installer. Then all that remains is to launch and install it.
A fairly common problem among operating room users. Windows systems any versions - msi error when installing programs from a file with the .msi extension. In this article, I will describe common problems with the Windows 7/10/XP installer and solutions to them, and also make a video on the current issue.
Files with the .msi extension are regular installation packages (distributions) from which the program is installed. Unlike the usual “setup.exe”, the system uses the Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe process) to launch the msi file. Speaking in simple words, Windows Installer will unzip and run the files from the distribution. When Windows Installer does not work, various errors appear.
In general, this really infuriates me, because... After a stupid error message, it’s completely unclear what to do next. Microsoft specifically developed the Windows Installer to expand the capabilities of installing programs (mainly for system administrators), but did not take proper care to ensure that the service would run smoothly or even adequately report problems. Now we have to sort it out :)
Problems may be with the operation of the service itself or may arise during the installation of programs, when everything is configured, in principle, correctly. In the first case, you need to tinker with the installer service, and in the second, solve a problem with a specific file. Let's consider both options, but first the second one.
msi file errors
Very often errors appear due to insufficient system rights to files or folders. This is not to say that Windows Installer does not work; in this case, you just need to add the necessary rights and everything will work. Just yesterday I was faced with the fact that the downloaded distribution kit.msi did not want to be installed, the installation wizard starts successfully, the parameters are selected, but then the system thinks for a few seconds and gives an error:
"Error reading from file 'filename' verify that the file exists and that you can access it" (Error 1305). Translated: “Error reading from file...check if the file exists and if you have access to it.” Well, aren't you stupid? Naturally, the “Retry” button does not help, and canceling stops the entire installation. The message also does not carry any special meaning, because the file definitely exists and I have access to it, otherwise I simply wouldn’t be able to run it and receive this message, and for some reason it’s in English :)
And the mistake is that it is not I who should have access to the file, but the Windows installer, or rather the System itself. The solution is very simple:
Now the installer error will not appear! You can add access to the entire folder from which you usually install programs, for example, to the “Downloads” folder, like mine. Watch a video on solving problems with access rights:
In Windows XP, the Security tab will not appear if simple general access to files. To turn it off, you need to go to “Start -> Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View” and turn off the “Use simple file sharing” option. In stripped-down versions of Windows 7/10 and XP, there is no “Security” tab at all. To see it, you need to log in as an administrator.
More ways to solve the problem
The described method will help with different messages, with different numbers. For example, you may see msi file errors like this:
- Error 1723
- Internal Error 2203
- System error 2147287035
- Error: "This installation package cannot be opened"
- Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation
In all these cases, setting permissions on the file and/or on some system folders should help. Check if the "system" has access to the temporary files folder (you may receive the error "The system cannot open the specified device or file"). For this:
After pressing “Enter” the path will change to “normal” and you will be moved to the real temporary folder. The rights to it need to be checked. I also recommend clearing temporary folders of everything that has accumulated there, or even better, deleting them and creating new ones with the same names. If you can’t delete a folder, read, but it’s not necessary.
If the Windows Installer service still does not want to work, then check the rights to the folder "C:\Config.Msi", here the “system” must also have full access. In this case, you might have seen the error “Error 1310”. Just in case, make sure that the folder WHERE you are installing the software also has all rights.
Registry and service settings
The next way to resolve the error is to restore operating parameters in the Windows Installer registry.
To do this, download the archive and run two reg files from there, according to your Windows versions. Agree to import settings.
Important! It is advisable before the last action! If the method does not help or gets worse, you can recover to your previous state.
In Windows XP or Windows Server set 2000 latest version installer 4.5.
If this does not help, then re-register the components:
- Press "Win + R" and enter " cmd". Then in the black window enter the following commands in sequence:
MSIExec /unregister
MSIExec /regserver - The answer should be empty, no errors. If the problem is not solved, enter another command
regsvr32 msi.dll - Close the black window
If it says that you do not have enough rights, then you need to run .
If the commands were executed, but did not help, then run msi_error.bat from the archive and check the result.
The last option is to download the Kerish Doctor program, it has a function for fixing the installer service and many others common problems Windows.
Also, many programs use the .NET Framework, so it would be a good idea to install the latest version of this package. And, finally, one more piece of advice: if in the path to the distribution file there is at least one folder with a space at the beginning of the name, then remove the space. This simple trick will solve your problem :)
Summarizing
Errors with the Windows installer are very unpleasant, there are a lot of them and it’s not immediately clear where to look. One thing is clear - the system has failed and needs to be restored to working condition. Sometimes nothing helps and you have to. However, do not rush to do this, try asking for help on this forum. Describe your problem exactly, tell us what you have already done, what messages you have received, and perhaps they will help you! After all, the world is not without good people :)
