Windows Installer, also known as MSI (Microsoft Installer), is a critical component responsible for installing, maintaining, and removing software on your operating system. When this component encounters issues, it can lead to problems with software installation, updates, and even make your device almost unusable.
To fix a corrupted Windows Installer, you can try the following methods:
Check the Windows Installer Service
One of the first steps to troubleshoot a corrupted Windows Installer is to ensure that the Windows Installer service is running and not disabled. Here’s how you can check:
- Press the Win R key combination, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - Scroll down and find the Windows Installer service in the list.
- Double-click the entry to open its properties.
- In the Startup Type dropdown, choose Automatic.
- Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
- Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Use the Command Prompt with Administrator Rights
Another method to repair the Windows Installer is to use the Command Prompt with administrator rights. Follow these steps:
- Press the Win X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
- Type the following command and press Enter to run it:
msiexec /unregister - Then, type the following command and press Enter to run it:
msiexec /regserver - Close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.
Reinstall the Windows Installer
If the above methods don’t work, you can try reinstalling the Windows Installer. Follow these steps:
- Download the appropriate version of Windows Installer from the Microsoft website.
- Run the installer on your PC and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
- Ensure that you’re choosing the correct version for your operating system.
- Restart your computer to complete the installation.
The methods described above should be enough to repair the Windows Installer on your system and return to normal usage. If you continue to experience problems with MSI or encounter other errors, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting or ask for help from Microsoft Support or a technician.