Quickly Resolve Windows Installer Problems on Your Own

By: Joey McClaren

Without a doubt, you are familiar with Windows and the many frustrations in using it. Windows installer problems, viruses and registry errors are just a few of the many issues faced in the everyday use of your PC.



Yet, while most of users delegate solving these problems to someone else, you can save a huge amount of time and money by doing so for yourself, and often just a little more skill than the ability to follow directions is required.



Our world is now fast-paced and electronic. Moments without your computer symbolizes lost revenue, missed opportunities or just plain boredom.



If the case is like this one, then why do most of us take our computers to shops or spend precious time on the phone with technical support at the first sign of trouble?



There are many computer problems that are fairly easily solved. Users don't need to have a degree in Computer Science or advanced computer skills, but instead call upon basic problem-solving and the skill to follow instructions.



As a matter of fact, repair shops and technical support agents are just following scripts or elaborate sets of directions, when performing many common repair tasks with which they are tasked daily.



So why suffer the moments without your computer and part with well-earned money when you can actually do many of these same tasks for yourself?



It will not only save time and money when you resolve your own computer issues. Your

knowledge on how computers work will also increase, as well as boost your confidence in resolving future difficulties on your own.



Many online search engines like Google give numerous tips, posts, forums, and other resources that can help solve just about any basic and intermediate issue, along with

clearly-written instructions.



Most of these tips can make your computer work at peek efficiency in no time. In some cases, if you find your self struggling with Windows Installer Problems, experiencing errors installing programs or other strange behaviors, here are a few guides that might just place you on the correct path.



Make sure you enabled the Installer Service:



Windows Installer service can sometimes be disabled, either because of another application or through user. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the installer service is running.



To ensure that Windows Installer is up, follow these steps:



1) From the start menu, select “Run”.

2) Type “services.msc” and press enter.

3) If the value in the “Startup type:” field is set to “disabled,” change it to “manual.”



Empty system and user temporary folders:



There are times that temporary files are left behind by broken installations which can disrupt the successful Windows Installer operation. The way which can usually resolve this in seconds is by removing these files.



Follow these steps to clear your user and system temporary folders.



1) Delete all files in C:\temp.

2) Delete all files in C:\windows\temp.

3) Delete all files in C:\Documents and Settings\\temp.



In the above instructions, substitute whatever your system drive is in place of C: should they differ, and your username in for to find these folders.



Clear registry keys:



In some instances, broken installations leave behind registry entries that are either poorly formatted, or that prevent Installer from operating successfully.



If this is the case, clearing the following registry keys of all entries may help:



* HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgress

* HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session



Note that cleaning your registry is not something that should be undertaken lightly.



Getting rid of keys that should be present, or formatting required keys incorrectly, can at best introduce new and strange behaviors into your operating system. Worst comes when your operating system becomes non-functional which is rendered by a botched registry edit, requiring a full re-installation.



Luckily, because it is a delicate task to do registry repair, many automated tools have been made which are capable of doing so quickly, safely and more thoroughly than you can achieve on your own.



One such, tool available can check Windows Installer Problems at http://www.registry2aid.com/Quickly-Fix-Windows-Installer-Problems.html by performing a free registry scan and reporting any defects it finds.