Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.

If you get the "Window Installer, Preparing to install" each time you boot Windows, there are a couple of resources to check out.

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

In a nutshell, it depends. Typically it's an artifact from a previous install that didn't complete. But there are a couple of resources that might help:

How do I stop Windows Installer from loading? is a thread out on the Annoyances.org discussion board that covers the topic. Windows Installer Appears Every Time I Start an Application is a related article, also on Annoyances.org.

Article C2094 - July 3, 2004

Leo Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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51 Comments

I get message , we can't access windows installer, refer to your local server .

Posted by: vincent at April 13, 2011 5:57 PM


Click the Start button on the desktop and click the Search button. In the Search window click the box that allows you to searc for to all files and folders. In the search bar type in Msiexec.exe the click Search. The file should be in the C:\Windows\System32 folder or in another similar folder depending on your Windows installation. On the file menu click close to close the search box. Click Start and click Run.In the Open box type regedit then click OK. Search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer at the right window you can search for the file ImagePath. Once you find it select it by double clicking on it. In the Edit String dialog box that appears compare the string in the Value data box and the value you got from the path for Msiexec.exe file that you got from before. Click OK and on the File Menu then select Exit to close the Registry Editor. Start your computer in safe mode and then register the Msiexec.exe file. This can be done in the boot menu by pressing f8 and selecting safe mode. After you get back on the desktop click start the button and then the Run button. Type msiexec/regserver in the Open box and click OK. Restart your computer normally and the problem of the “Windows Installer Service could not be accessed” should be gone.
There may be other ways to remove the “Windows Installer Service could not be accessed” message and it would be better if you don’t have to go through the registry as there could be more serious so take utmost care when doing it or try other methods before resorting to it.

Posted by: VIRENDRA at June 1, 2011 11:29 PM

Windows Installer for window office 2003 keeps popping up. It takes several clicks on cancel to get rid of it and after a while it comes back.

I went to MSCONFIG un-checked windows office in the services area. But, when you do that you cannot open an word document? HelP!

Posted by: Walter Miner at September 5, 2011 12:44 PM

Try this link- has worked for me http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall
David

Posted by: David Grieve at December 29, 2011 4:29 AM

i was receiving the same problem but after following the instructions .. problem has gone.. windows 7 is working now normal... thankx alot for sharing such valuable information.

Posted by: Aftab at April 30, 2012 9:34 PM
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