Solving Windows Installer Problems Without Frustration

We've all experienced the frustration of a Windows system error specifically Windows Installer Problems, that just stops working well or that behaves in odd ways.

Often, the cause of the issue can be difficult to pin down, with odd error messages which leave lots to be desired.

Most people's gut reaction to such errors is to call technical support or to part with their computers for repairs, but this often isn't necessary.

In today's fast-paced information society, computers are integral components of our daily lives. We use them for work, play and for research of all kinds. As such, it is only natural that when they stop working, we want them operational as soon as is possible.

Even so, calling upon technical support isn't always the wisest option. Technical support calls take time, which is another valuable commodity.

Also, most tech support companies charge exorbitant rates for their services, rates far beyond what is offered in many instances.

Would you part with your phone for several days if it isn't working correctly?

If not, then perhaps it is time to wonder if it is worth doing so for a poorly operating computer with Windows Installer problems, especially when solutions to many problems are well within your reach.

In fact, with only a few minutes worth of research and the ability to follow basic directions, you may be surprised at just how many solutions to computer issues are easily done with a minimal amount of frustration.

Take, for instance, Windows Installer problems. A broken Windows Installer can cause a number of odd behaviors, from installations that fail mysteriously to others which never begin.

While this problem may seem like a daunting one, there are a number of possible solutions that take only seconds. Here, for example, are just a few.

Perform Regular Upgrades

Regular upgrades are a great preventative maintenance procedure in many instances, as software updates often either resolve known issues or clean up any messes left behind by broken older versions.

It may be that upgrading your Windows Installer solves any issues you might be having. Follow these steps to upgrade:

1. Start Internet Explorer and visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads.

2. In the menu on the left, click "Setup", "System Administration" and then "Setup".

3. Click "Windows Installer", then select the link that matches your version of Windows.

4. Click "Download" and a newer version of Windows Installer should be installed.

Clean Temporary Folders

In some cases, artifacts from broken installations may be left behind in either the system or user temporary folders.

This unnecessary cruft may be blocking future installs from succeeding.

To see if this is the case, delete all files from the following locations, substituting your system drive (usually C:) for %systemdrive%, your Windows installation directory (usually "windows") for %windir% and your username for %username%:

* %systemdrive%temp

* %systemdrive%%windir%temp

* %systemdrive%Documents and Settings%username%Local SettingsTemp

Clean the Registry

The registry is often at the core of Windows Installer problems, along with a number of other issues faced by those running Windows.

Editing the registry manually should only be done if you are certain that you know what you are doing.

If you do, though, then remove any data found in the following registry keys:

* HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInstallerInProgress

* HKLMSystemCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerPendingFileRenameOperations

Because repairing the registry is so commonplace and error-prone, there are a number of automated applications that can do so for you.

Such programs can usually identify broken keys, or any that are no longer necessary, and will remove them for you.

Also, because they are programmed to respect registry key formats, you can be quite certain that your computer won't be rendered unbootable by a bad edit.

If you aren't certain which registry tool to choose for your Windows Installer problems , then check out Registry2Aid.

There, you can not only have your registry scanned and any possible issues identified for free, but you can also find links to some of the best registry cleaning and repair tools from around the internet.

Not only might it resolve any Windows Installer problems you may face, but you just might find that your PC runs more quickly and is more responsive than it has been in a very long time.

So what have you got to lose?