Can't access the windows installation service. Errors when installing programs from the Windows Installer “.msi” package. Reasons for Windows Installer failures

Some users are faced with the fact that applications are not installed and a message pops up saying that the Windows installer is not installed or is not running. How to solve this problem and install the necessary utility will be described in this article.

Checking if the service is running

One of the main reasons for such failures is stopping the installer service. To check this, you need to launch the Run utility, which can be done through Start, and then enter the services.msc command into it, which can be seen in the image.

After this, a window will open in which all services, both active and not, will be displayed. You need to find a service called " InstallerWindows" and open it. The parameters should be the same as in the picture.

In seven you can try changing the startup type to automatic; in eight this action is not available. If the user changes the startup type, the device should be rebooted after this. However, you should try to run it in both versions. Then you need to start installing the program again.

Correcting errors manually

If the previous method did not help correct the situation, then you can re-registration of the service on one's own. To do this, you will need to run the console as an administrator. This can be done through the Start menu. On the command line you will need to enter the following operators:

Such commands are required for 32-bit operating system. And these will need to be used for 64-bit Windows. After completing the work you will need to make restarting the device and try again to install the necessary utilities. The installer service should start.

Using the registry to reset parameters

It is also possible that the error lies in the registry. You can use one of the programs to recover records, but it is not a fact that they will help. It is better to open the registry editor yourself and find the following entry there:

This folder should check the ImagePath entry, the value of which should be the same as in the image. If this is not the case, then it is worth editing it.

For 64-bit operating systems, it is also worth carrying out file checkWOW64. There should be a hexadecimal number system, and the value should be 0.

After editing the registry, you should to restart a computer and check its functionality.

Let's start with why, in principle, this program is needed on a PC, and what functions it performs.


Typically those who were unable to access the installer service Windows Installer, fall into a stupor. In this article we will try to dispel once and for all the terrible myths about the criticality of this error, consider the main points and, just in case, other effective methods for solving the problem, some will be in the following parts.


Operating system service Windows Installer is an important link, a small subsystem of your main Windows system. It provides installation (installation) of most programs. Hence another name follows – installer. Without it, you will not be able to use programs that require installation to operate (that’s right, for some types of programs installation is not required, however, since you have already started reading this article, then the case is different). Accordingly, it has the format .msi. There is nothing scary or incomprehensible in the letters of this format, just an abbreviation for the name of the earlier version Microsoft Installer.


The most common notification messages about malfunctions and errors are as follows:

  • The Windows Installer service is unavailable;
  • The Windows OS Installer service could not be accessed. This usually happens due to an incorrectly installed Windows operating system installer;
  • Problems with the Windows Installer OS installer service: unable to access the service Windows Installer Windows 7/8/XP;
  • The most common problem: Windows Installer It's just not installed.

Now let's move on to optimal and effective solutions to these problems.


Your first task will be to check whether the Windows installer service is running or not running on your OS, and in general, check the list of programs installed on the system for its presence. You may even have to download Windows Installer for Windows 7 x32, if you have such an OS, because it may especially often be absent from it.


In most cases, this is what happens to ordinary PC users. There can be quite a few reasons for this outcome: from viruses picked up on bad sites to incorrect or malfunctioning programs. However, the problem must be solved one way or another.


First, you need to check the list of services on your OS. To do this, press the key combination on your keyboard Windows (checkbox) + R(in this order), a window called “Run” should immediately appear on your PC screen. Next, to figure out why you can't access the service Windows Installer, in the empty field we print services.msc (there is no need to enter italics, I indicate this here for clarity). There is nothing complicated, everything will be something like this:



Next, click on the button called OK. A window will appear in front of you called "Services" . You will need to scroll through the list a little, strain your eyes and find a service called Windows Installer:



It may happen that you won’t find it - then you need to download it for free Windows Installer for Windows 7/8, etc. (you can do this at the end of the page). If you find it, great - double-click with the left mouse button and look at the following pictures. Here I give you examples for the OS versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8. The only difference between them is that on Windows 7 the user can switch the startup options between automatically and manually. On Windows 8, this can only be done forcibly.




If you own Windows 7, try selecting the automatic startup type option for the Windows installer. Reboot your iron friend after this procedure and try again to install the program you need.


In the event that your attempts to find something regarding Windows Installer are unsuccessful, you will need to install it. Hide-Info has versions for any Windows - for example, Windows Installer x64 for Windows 7 can be downloaded for free from the link below.


However, if you were unable to solve the problem, and you believe that your access is not limited by anyone, and old versions of the program were never detected, then you can turn to the “Reset service parameters in the registry” function. This information is available on the Microsoft website. For Windows 8, this method may not lead to the desired result, but, in any case, to implement it you will need to be thoroughly familiar with the official website. However, more often than not it’s enough just to download Windows Installer for Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit, without making any changes to the registry body.


Below are links to other methods of dealing with this problem, download links Windows Installer , as well as the official support forum, although if you carefully read the other methods and do everything according to the instructions, then the official website will no longer be useful to you.


Sometimes, during the installation of a program, an error code 1719 may appear on the screen, which indicates that the Windows Installer service is unavailable. There may be several reasons for this problem. Let's understand them and try to solve them.

Windows 7, 8, 10 installer service is unavailable or not responding

Scan system files

So, when you see a message like this on the screen, you should immediately scan your system files. To run the scanning tool, you must run the command prompt as an administrator, click Start on the desktop - enter cmd in the search, right-click on the corresponding command line icon and select - Run with administrator rights. In the command line window that opens, enter the task sfc/scannow and click Enter. Once the check is completed, your problem may be resolved.

Availability of windows installer

Open Start - Run. In the window that opens, enter the task services.msc.

In the new window, find the Windows Installer item.

Double click on the icon. In the window, find the Startup type parameter and make sure that Automatic or Manual is selected next to it. After that, select Run and click OK. Next, you need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect and try to reinstall the required program.

You can also run the installer via the Command Line. In it you need to write net start MSIServer and click Enter. After this, you will see a corresponding notification that the service is running.

Removing and re-registering a service

If after the above machinations the error still occurs, try re-registering the installer. This can be done in two ways: using the Command Line and using the Run service.

Let's consider the first option. Check which version of the operating system is installed on your computer, 32-bit or 64-bit. To do this, go to My Computer and right-click on an empty space. Select Properties. In the pop-up window you will find the required information.

Log in to the Command Prompt as an administrator (how to do this is described above). For a 32-bit system, type the command msiexec /unregister, which will deactivate the installer. Click Enter and then type msiexec /register which will log it back into the system.

If your system is 64-bit, then the commands will be as follows:

%windir%\system32\ msiexec.exe /unregister

%windir%\system32\ msiexec.exe /regserver

%windir%\system64\ msiexec.exe /unregister

%windir%\system64\ msiexec.exe /regserver

After this, reboot the machine.

The second option involves using the Run service, which can be opened through the Start menu. In the prompt, type msiexec /unregister and click OK. Then type msiexec /regserver. Don't worry if you don't see any changes on the screen. Your problem should, however, disappear after this.

Registry changes

A more radical method is to change settings in the registry. In the Run service, enter the command regedit. A Registry Editor window will open. In it you need to follow the branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver

Find ImagePath and make sure its value matches the following: %systemroot%\system32\msiexec.exe /V. If the indicator is different, double-click the left mouse button on the name of the item and enter the required parameters in the window that appears. After this, you need to start the services.msc service as described.

On a 64-core system, the WOW64 parameter must also be taken into account. Its indicator should be equal to 0, the number system should be hexadecimal.

After making changes, restart your computer. There should be no more errors.

Uninstalling a program

Sometimes the program does not allow you to detect the presence of an outdated version. Then it must be removed. To do this, go to Start – Control Panel – Programs. Find the Uninstall/Change program function and apply it to the shortcut you need. After this, reboot the system and try the installation again.

Error " The Windows Installer service cannot be accessed. Windows is running in protected mode or the Windows Installer service is not installed correctly. Contact Support" may occur when trying to install any program.

The Windows Installer service allows you to add, modify, or remove applications provided by the Windows Installer package (*.msi). An incorrectly configured service may make it impossible to install any programs.

To resolve the error you need to perform three steps:

1. Check service availability

To do this you need to go to Control PanelAdministration - Services

Find the service in the window that appears Windows Installer (Windows Installer).

Double-click to open the Windows Installer service properties.

On the tab Are common in field Executable file should be the value: C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe /V

On the tab Dependencies In chapter This service depends on the following components there must be Remote Procedure Call (RPC).

2. Check the launch program for the .msi extension

Open My computer or any folder. From the menu, select Tools - Folder Options and go to the tab File types.

Highlight the MSI extension and click the button Additionally. In chapter Actions There should be three actions: Restore, Delete, Install. If they don't exist, you need to create them.

Action: & Restore
"C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /f "%1" %*

Action: & Delete application executing the action:
"C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /x "%1" %*

Action: Install application executing the action:
"C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe" /i "%1" %*

3. msiexec registration

On the menu Start - Run dial command msiexec/unregister and press ENTER. Then run the command there msiexec /register

After you complete all the steps above, the “Cannot access the Windows Installer service” error should disappear and all programs will install and uninstall normally.

I have had a couple of laptops damaged by “optimizers” and filled with programs installed together with them. Inexperienced users still believe in “optimizers” and don’t look at the checkboxes when installing, but that’s not the point. After cleaning, I started updating the software and unexpectedly (for the first time in my life) encountered the following error during installation:

The Windows Installer service could not be accessed. Windows Installer may not be installed. Contact support for assistance.

The error occurred during installation from msi (for which the service itself, among other things, is responsible). Maybe the service is turned off? We go to Control Panel - Administration - Services and do not find the one we need in the list. Did the optimizers optimize? We google for a long time, read a bunch of advice that doesn’t apply, study the question along the way and come to the following:

  1. Let's check whether Windows Installer actually exists on the system. Press Win+R, in the “Run” window that appears, write msiexec, click OK. If the Windows Installer Help window opens, the service is in place. But why is it not in the list of services?
  2. Let’s re-register the service in the system: open the “Run” window (Win+R) and write msiexec /unregister , then “Run” again and msiexec /regserver .
  3. Go to Services (Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services), find “Windows Installer” (Windows Installer for the English version).
  4. All OK. We check by installing from msi. If not, then my method did not help you, Google will help.