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Question
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 8:23 PM
I observed frequently in Windows 10 a process when Windows Installer Service pops up and freezes with a message preparing
to install but nothing really happens. After certain amount of time I get another message "installer server not responding..." giving me a choice either retry or cancel.
How to troubleshoot it ? I used tools SFC and DISM not finding anything serious with my OS build-out 16299.19.
Regards
All replies (6)
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 8:34 PM âś…Answered
All,
I fixed the described problem with Windows 10 Creator ver.16299.64, when I could not use WinX shortcuts. Windows
Installer Service after an attempt of WinX shortcut execution got frozen.
**The issue was caused by non-Microsoft context menu file ContextMenu.dll of Adobe, Acrobat 8 Pro. **
To discover which context menu file causes the problem I used CCleaner program that allows
in tools to discover all context menu files ( these files/applications are set to run when computer starts ). After discovering these files I disabled all of them and by one in sequence enabled to observe which interferes with
Windows Installer Service Process.
Interesting enough, the described problem did not occur on my computer neither with Windows 7 nor with Windows 10 ver. 1607 where I used the same Acrobat 8 Pro program.
** **
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 7:16 AM
Hi,
Did this message occur randomly or only when you try to install, uninstall or update something?
This problem may occur if the Windows Installer files are damaged or missing.
Try the following methods:
Method 1: Confirm Windows Installer Service is running.
1. Click On start; In the Start search, type Services.msc and hit Enter.
2. Right click on Windows Installer to make sure it's running fine.
Method 2: Replace corrupted service.
1. Delete the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver registry key from the affected system after taking a backup. Import the registry from a working machine, reboot your system and see how it works.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer and make sure:
InstallerLocation points to C:\Windows\system32\
MsiExecCA32 points to C:\Windows\syswow64\msiexec.exe
MsiExecCa64 points to C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe
Method 3: re-register the Windows installer services.
1. Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs.
2. Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /REGSERVER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs, or you may briefly see an hourglass. After you run this command, the operation is complete.
You can download the Latest version of the Windows Installer Version 4.5 from the link below
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942288
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Wednesday, November 15, 2017 6:50 PM
All,
I forgot to mention that the recommended Methods 1,2 and 3 were tested by me.
Also, I have been running Windows Installer Version 5.0 which is part of Windows 10.
Response to your question when the described mishap does occur ?
It is difficult to describe a pattern when it happens. For instance, today I decided to check whether there
is a reply to my question. As soon as I logged on to social.technet.microsoft.com forum the Windows Installer
Service was popped up and stayed on ( I use Google Chrome browser ). So, it does not happen specifically when I would install or uninstall programs/ applications.
Regards
Friday, November 17, 2017 9:52 AM
Hi,
Thanks for your so detailed confirmation.
You have tries so many methods by yourself but not resolve the issue. Let's boot into Safe Mode to see if it still pops up?
If no, Perform a Clean Boot to see eliminate third-party software or service conflict.
If yes, let's consider to do In-Place Upgrade to repair the system using official ISO.
Note: Choose "Keep personal files, settings and app" option to reserve all of your data.
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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Friday, November 17, 2017 7:24 PM
Hello Karen_Hu,
I performed a Clean Boot and Malware checkup in addition, these tools did not share any light on described problem.
Regarding your recommendation to use an official ISO, I used Microsoft's Media Tool to upgrade from ver.1703
to 1709. By the way, I noticed the described problem started to occur in version 1703 but not in 1511 or Windows 7 ( probably, that is unimportant observation because in my other computer I do not experience the described problem ).
I do not get a particular message that "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed" or any error code, only a freeze up condition to popped up windows installer service and after time being that install server not responding.
When I check services.msc for Windows Installer the startup type is Manual and service status: Running.
The described issue happens when I start Google Chrome browser as well as I try to execute WinX certain shortcuts in Windows 10 using ether methods clicking on Windows button and using Quick Access menu or Start menu.
However, when I access WinX shortcuts directly of Group 1, 2 or 3 in c:\users\user's name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX the processes work.
Also I observed that I cannot launch File Explorer. I tried even Run> Explorer.exe ( windows installer pops up and freezes ). In addition, I tried to use another free tool ShellExView to find non-Microsoft context menu items that might interfere with Windows performance.
Monday, November 20, 2017 9:57 AM
Hi,
Let's confirm if you have upgrade to Windows 10 1709 now. And the following problem is occurred in Windows 10 1709, right?
only a freeze up condition to popped up windows installer service and after time being that install server not responding.
When I check services.msc* for Windows Installer the startup type is* Manual *and service status:*Running.
The described issue happens when I start Google Chrome browser as well as I try to execute WinX certain shortcuts in Windows 10 using ether methods clicking on Windows button and using Quick Access menu or Start menu.
However, when I access WinX shortcuts directly of Group 1, 2 or 3 in c:\users\user's name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX the processes work.
*Also I observed that I cannot launch File Explorer. I tried even Run> Explorer.exe ( windows installer pops up and freezes ). In addition, I tried to use another free tool ShellExView to find non-Microsoft context menu items that might interfere with Windows performance. *
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help.
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