subject: 2 Ways to Fix Windows Installer: Step-by-Step Instructions [print this page] 2 Ways to Fix Windows Installer: Step-by-Step Instructions
Windows XP does not have a lot of problems but the installer is known to be a bit glitchy. Therefore, the time may come when you need to fix Windows installer. You know this is the case when you see "The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" error message displayed when you go to install a program. You can fix the issue manually or use software.
Manual Fix for Windows Installer
In order to fix the problem manually, you will follow the steps precisely. If at any time you do not understand a step or are unsure what to do, stop and use the software repair.
You need to log onto the computer as the administrator
Click Start - > Run
Type "CMD" and click OK - this will open a command prompt
Type "msiexec.exe /unregister" and the press enter
Type "msiexec.exe /regserver" and press enter
WARNING: The following edits your registry. If you incorrectly modify your registry, you could damage your computer. Follow the steps precisely to prevent modifying the wrong file. You should back up your registry in case problems occur.
oClick Start -> Run
oType "Regedit" and click OK
oFind the following:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
oClick Permissions on the edit menu
oIf SYSTEM is not listed under Group or User Names,
Click Add
Check to make sure the computer name appears in the "From this location" box
Type System in "Enter the object names to select" box
Click Check Names
Click OK
oIn the "Group of user names" list, Click SYSTEM
oUnder "Allow" in the "Permissions for SYSTEM", Check "Full Control"
oClick Apply
oClick Ok
oQuit Regedit
Restart your Computer
Software Fix for Windows Installer
If all that seems too difficult or if you are nervous about editing your registry, then software is an easy solution. PC cleaner software, also called a registry cleaner, can take the problem and fix it in under two minutes. All you do is download, install and run the cleaner. The cleaner will do everything else for you.
How Registry Cleaners Work
A registry cleaner scours your computer for all kinds of registry errors. It looks for missing keys, damaged keys and empty keys. All of these work together to slow down your computer and in some cases, cause error messages like this one to appear. When that happens, it means that Windows cannot find a way around the error and you must take action to allow Windows to work properly.
Now, if you run a registry cleaner on a regular basis, then you will see fewer and fewer registry error messages. Since the cleaner is constantly repairing damage to the registry, Windows will have an easier time working around the errors. Then the next time your computer runs the cleaner, it will fix all the new errors that formed leaving your computer running like it did when you first bought it.
