Why do I get "Window Installer, Preparing to install" each time I boot Windows?

I do NOT recommend doing that, for two reasons: system restore will probably restore what you just deleted, and hence you'll just be back where you started, and more importantly, msiexec.exe is the windows installer ... if actually deleted you'll no longer be able to install many software packages.

hi,

wht u can do is stop the "windows installer"service from the services.msc from the START>RUN>services.msc and whenever u want to install any software u can start the service to automatic of manual

I tried temporarily rubbing out the msiexec.exe file; didn't make any difference --- every program started has two popups of "preparing to install...."

Happened after restoring to a previous point, after loosing access to accounts in Outlook2000 after uninstalling Outlook2003 ("trial") using it's CD then re-installing Outlook2000 (which never worked properly again).

Thanks Microsoft; at least they offered for $50 to have a go at fixing the problem.....No Thanks!

Also tried the steps in the Microsoft Article; but the effort made no difference; nothing to do with access...and the registry keys were already there as recommended.

XPPro SP2.

I had the same problem. Finally fixed it by installing the new windows installer. Go to the Microsoft site and search for "Windows Installer". You have to go through some pages and let them know that you really have a valid version of Windows installed, but when you finally answer all the questions, and verify your version of Windows, you can get the download. When I installed it, the install program couldn't stop the windows installer service, so it took a re-boot, but Office XP came off fine, and the prompts for "Preparing to install" stopped.

Just recently upgraded from Scan Soft's PaperPort 8 to PaperPort 10. Everytime I turn my computer on, I get the Windows Installer Preparing to Install message. Then the message "please wait while Windows configures Scan Soft PaperPort 10". After that, it seems like every 20-30 minutes if I try to launch the program, the Windows Installer etc message pops up. Have installed the current verison of Windows Installer. Have uninstalled, removed, reinstalled, repaired, etc., so many times I've stopped counting! Have been working with tech support, but so far no solution. Help!!!!! Thanks!

Unfortunately you'll have to get in touch with Scansoft for assistance.

Thanks, vasav, for the START>RUN>services.msc advice! I had the problem of Widows Installer popping up every time I started an application, and this really worked!!! (I know, I am a blonde an stupid not knowing such things :D, but anywayz, thanks a lot!!!)

I'm going to run System File Checker tonight and see if that helps. I'll post results.

BTW, when I try to run msinfo32.exe I get an error message about not being able to load the data because of a network problem. Even in Safe Mode without networking. I have checked the network and can't find anything wrong. Everything works fine. I wonder if the two problems are related?

OK, I ran SFC, built a i386 folder in the root drive, now msinfo32 runs, but I still have the problem. I have managed to get it to a point where it only flashes on the screen momentarily when I open Windows Explorer or IE. Hmm. Wonder if it is Active X app trying load. In the event viewer, it shows an error for an app that fails to load, but the detailed info did not turn up any help at MS or on the net from a gooogle search. I have spent about 18 hours trying to solve this, and I am getting frustrated, so at this time I am just learning to live with it. Every thing works OK, it is just annoying. I'll probably stumble across the fix accidentaly some day.