This can occur when the Windows Installer Service becomes corrupt or there is an invalid path to the msiexec file.


To resolve this behavior, follow these steps.

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Click the Run option.
  3. In the Open box, type “regedit” without the quotes.
  4. Click the OK button.
  5. Scroll to the top of the window on the left-hand side of the screen.
  6. Click the minus (-) sign next to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. If it has a plus (+) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  7. Click the minus (-) sign next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER. If it has a plus (+) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  8. Click the plus (+) sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. If it has a minus (-) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  9. Click the plus (+) sign next to SYSTEM. If it has a minus (-) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  10. Click the plus (+) sign next to CurrentControlSet. If it has a minus (-) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  11. Click the plus (+) sign next to Services. If it has a minus (-) sign next to it, go to the next step.
  12. Click the MSIServer so it becomes highlighted.
  13. In the right pane of the Registry Editor window double-click ImagePath.
  14. In the Edit String dialog box that appears, make sure that the string in the Value Data box contains the correct path to the msiexec.exe file. The following is the correct path, where C is the drive in which Windows is installed:

    C:\Windows\System32\msiexec.exe /V

  15. Go to the File menu and select Exit to quit the Registry Editor.
  16. Next, you will need to start your computer in Safe Mode, and then register the msiexec.exe file. To do so:
    1. Restart your computer.
    2. Hold the F8 key down during restart.
    3. On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press Enter.
    4. If you have a dual boot system, select Microsoft Windows XP from the list that appears, and press Enter.
    5. Log on to the computer
    6. Click Start, and then click Run.
    7. In the Open box, type the following line, and click OK:

      msiexec /regserver

  17. Shut down your computer, and then restart your computer normally.