How to Fix “The Windows Installer service could not be accessed” Error
We walk you thru 5 methods
Recently, a friend of mine tried to install a program on his Windows machine and the computer gave the blue screen of death error. After he restarted his computer, he tried to run a different program and he got the following message:
If you are getting this error in Windows, here are a few things you can try to fix it!
Method 1 – Make sure the Windows Installer service is started
Sometimes, if the Installer service is disabled, you will get this error. You can turn it on by going toStart, thenRunand typing inServices.msc. In newer versions of Windows, just click onStartand start typing services.msc.
Then scroll down toWindows Installerand double-click on it. Set theStartup TypetoManual, clickApplyand the clickStartto start the service.
You can also start the service by going to Start, Run and type innet start MSIServerinto the Run box.
Method 2 – Delete MSIEXEC with no extension
Another strange thing that can happen is the creation of a secondmsiexecfile in yourC:\Windows\system32directory. By default, there should only be one msiexec.exe file in that directory, but sometimes another one gets created with no extension and a size of 0 KB.
If that is the case, then you should rename the extra msiexec file with a.OLDextension. Once you rename it, then you can restart the Windows Installer service. Again, just go to Services and right click on Windows Installer and chooseRestart.
Method 3 – Modify Remote Procedure Call Service
Sometimes the issue can be caused by another service called Remote Procedure Call. Go to the Services section again like mentioned above (Start, Run, services.msc) and right-click onRemote Procedure Call(not the one that says RPC Locator) and chooseProperties.
Now click on theLog Ontab and underLog on as:, chooseLocal System Accountand tick theAllow this service to interact with the desktopcheckbox. Then restart your computer and see if the problem goes away.
If that does not work, choose theThis account:radio button and clickBrowse. Search forNetwork Serviceand click OK. The password will automatically be filled in for this account, so don’t change it.
Again, restart your computer and see if the problem goes away. Note that if it goes away when you chose Local System Account, just leave it at that setting. Only change it to NT Authority\NetworkService if Local System Account does not work.
Method 4 – Install the latest Windows Installer version
Finally, you can do a search on Google for “Windows Installer” and download thelatest versionfrom Microsoft. This will ensure that you are not running an older version that could be causing conflicts with other software, etc.
Hopefully one of these solutions will fix your problem! If you did it another way, please post a comment letting us know how! Thanks!
Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio
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