On Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Windows Installer package is used to install, repair, reinstall, or uninstall programs. Most Microsoft and non-Microsoft software uses the installer to perform setup tasks, such as installing, repairing, and uninstalling the software.
The increasing use of this utility has also led to some bugs. The most common problems that users face are: ‘Windows Setup service could not be accessed’, ‘Error 1706: Setup cannot find the files it needs’, ‘Error 1720: There is a problem with this installation package. A script required for this installation to complete could not be executed.’
Here are a couple of solutions to repair the installer on Windows 7:
1. Reinstall the installer
2. Fix Registry Keys
3. Modify the image path in the registry
4. Allow RPC to interact with your desktop
reinstall installer
Reinstalling Windows Installer should no longer show the error, if it is related to the installer files. To repair the Windows 7 installer, follow the steps below.
1.Click Start | All programs | Accessories.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following commands one by one after pressing ENTER at their ends:
A. ren msi.dll msi.old
b. ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old
against ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
4. Type QUIT and press ENTER.
5. Download a fresh copy of the installer from the Microsoft website.
Fix registry keys
The Windows Registry is one of the sources of the most common problems in computing in general. This is due to its importance as a data storage medium for application software. The installer can experience errors and problems if the registry entries are broken. It is recommended to use registry cleaning software to repair Windows 7 installer.
Modify the image path in the registry
The full file path (ie image path) of the installer is recorded in the system registry. An invalid path to Windows Installer can cause Windows Installer runtime errors. To repair the installer in Windows 7, we need to note and record the valid path to the Windows Installer package.
1.Click Start | Run.
2. Type %WinDir%System32 and press ENTER. [Note: %WinDir% refers to Windows directory, usually C:Windows]
3. Did you find the file named MSIExec.exe? If so, make a note of the full path of that file, usually C:WindowsSystem32MSIExec.exe]
4. Close Windows Explorer.
5. Perform step 1 above.
6. Type RegEdit and press ENTER.
7. Open the following registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesMSIServer
8. Double-click the ImagePath string to modify it.
9. Enter the valid path you noted in Step 3. Then press ENTER.
10. Close Registry Editor.
11. Reboot the computer in safe mode. [To enter into Safe mode, press F8 key before Windows starts loading.]
12. Perform step 1 above.
A. Windows 7 32-bit users: Type msiexec /regserver
b. Windows 7 64-bit users: Type %windir%Syswow64Msiexec /regserver
13. Press ENTER.
14. Reboot the machine.
Allow RPC to interact with your desktop
To repair the Windows 7 installer, try allowing the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) feature to interact with your desktop.
1.Click Start | Run.
2. Type Services.msc and press ENTER.
3. Right-click Remote Procedure Call Service and select Properties.
4. Click the Login tab.
5. Select the Local System Account option.
6. Check the Allow service to interact with desktop box as checked.
7. Click OK and reboot the machine.
highly recommended
Windows Installer has its own registry keys that allow you to install, uninstall, and repair software programs. The highly recommended solution is to use a registry repair program, do a registry scan and fix the problems instantly.
What registry repair program should I use?